Luau Time 11-11-11

This is the front lobby at Aulani. 

I loved the wall of living orchids.

The outside grounds and pools were beautiful as well.

My tiki God friend at Paradise cove.

We wove our own headbands - it looks so easy but it is not!

The sun had just set and I captured this shot of the sun's rays.

What luau would be complete without hula dancers.  It was a great show.

After visiting the new Disney resort, Aulani, we went to a luau at Paradise cove.  There were all sorts of crafts and music and Carroll and I danced a rumba in the sand.

Dole Pineapple Plantation 11-10-11

The Hukilau beach.

You know I danced the hukilau in the third grade for the entire PTA!

I still remember it!

Trains were not a big thing in Hawaii but they did use narrow gauge trains for hauling both pineapple and sugar cane from the fields.

Choo choo!

The Dole gardens were spectacular.

An egret that let me take his picture.

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a trip to Hukilau beach and the Dole Plantation.  We had a bit of rain on this day but it was so warm it actually felt good.  Dole Whips are pretty yummy!

Hiking in Koko Crater on November 9, 2011

Carroll was interested in doing some hiking this trip so here was our first foray into Hawaiian hiking.  Koko Crater has  been planted with a botanical garden so I thought we would both enjoy it.  Mostly I took pictures of the native flowers but there were plants from every continent.

The heavenly scented plumeria.

Bougenvillia

Touristus vulgaris

It was a beautiful hike and only a couple of miles long.  Very peaceful.

Aloha!

Well it has been a while since you have heard from me but I'm in Hawaii now.  We left on November 7 and were totally ready for some beautiful tropical weather.  This photo was taken at dusk and we can see the pool and the ocean from our lanai at Turtle Bay Resort.

First in the Hearts of His Countrymen

10-15-10

On our last day in the east, we visited George Washington's home, Mt. Vernon.  We toured the mansion, the grounds and visited his tomb.  There is a wonderful museum there also.  We ate in the Mt. Vernon Inn.  And we enjoyed this interesting, educational, tranquil day.  The weather was beautiful again.

What I found very interesting was the story of Mt. Vernon's survival.  In 1853, it was in complete disrepair.  A group of women formed an organization to save it.  The Ladies of Mt. Vernon, got the money together and began the restoration process.  They opened it to the public in 1860.  It has been their special project all these years.

Winterthur

10-14-10

We drove to the Winterthur Museum in a downpour -- and it didn't stop all day!  Nevertheless I enjoyed the world renowned collection of American antique furniture collected by the DuPont family.
I included a few pictures here.

All Aboard!

10-13-10

Strassburg Railway next stop.  Carroll was in Paradise on this historic steam train ride through Pennsylvania Dutch country.

 The rest of our day was spent driving through Amish country on our way back to Baltimore.  I really enjoyed looking at these beautiful white, curtainless, autoless homes.  We saw several buggies and many horse drawn plows or other farm equipment.  The children go to their own private schools and I was delighted that we happened to be driving by a school when the children were being dismissed.  They looked so cute as they came bursting through the door in their black pants, skirts and aprons and their blue or purple shirts and blouses.  I tried to be respectful of their beliefs and I did not try to take pictures of them but if you look carefully you will see a farmer or two from a long distance.