Transitioning right on up to Washington DC and back

Yesterday Patt and I continued the transition with a little side trip up to Washington DC for a visit to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum located next to Dulles Airport.  We figured an up and back day trip would be a nice way to start off Patt's reduced work schedule.

The display of airplanes is awesome.  Catwalks allow you to see them suspended form the ceiling, and the collection is impressive from vintage WW II fighters to a Russian MIG, one of the Wright Brother's planes, the Enola Gay,

 the Discovery Space Shuttle — (which by the way is huge.  just absolutely very large and impressive to stand next to), and much much more all very well presented.
 

Oh and back in Dulles Terminal C — well ...we met this crowd !!  Just in from halfway around the world.  Laura, plus grandchildren plus two friends who traveled with them (who are en-route to Atlanta) .

We proceeded to set up camp in a wide space in the hall where we would not obstruct too much traffic nor create too much other passenger angst.  (Note the artistic touch of the reflection of the donut shop, and photographer self portrait in the window over our campsite).(noticed that myself this morning when looking at the photo and tired to figure out what was in the window.)

We were in the long hall connecting D to C Terminals as careful reading of the overhead banner board above will indicate.

 The travelers reported great traveling experience, and our reunion was a joyful time for all.

The hallway was large enough to provide a good play space for kids just off of a 12 hour flight and they played so nicely.

they are very familiar with a luggage carrousel — it is obvious they have seen one of these before.  The row of them at RDU did not impress.  Julianna is wearing Patt's sweater over her backpack. Each of the kids has their own travel pack.

Got to our house about midnight our time - mid-day theirs — we ate a heavy snack, they explored the house, played with toys, and finally (and thankfully says a grandfather who has not seen the  New Year's Eve Ball drop since who knows when) went to bed about 2 AM.  About 4 AM Patt brought me this one and said he is yours.  

I took him to the living room, we read, then did puzzles till 4, when I, sensing a moment of sleepiness in Luke, tucked him next to me and we both fell asleep.  Luke actually stayed here till 1 PM.  Me — I didn't  and am looking forward to better sleep tonight- and missing the ball drop.  But very very happy to have a house full and more transitioning.

Transitions — yes there's gonna be some transitions around here

Long years ago, deep into the early years of our county's founding Patt left the little town of Apex, moved to the big City to make her fortune with a consulting company in a big brick office building.  Patt's office was in a cube like space with no window, no personality, and well, it was just an office like office like you would expect.  

As fate would have it, not terribly long after joining said big consulting firm, the firm bought an old,  small. wooden house near the big brick building and Patt got a large office on the ground floor complete with personality and well that was several eons ago.  

People moved into that old house office and people left and came and went and came and moved around but Patt just stayed right there. And then Patt became a part time employee and realized that among other things no one had been in the office longer than she had. 

WELL THAT IS CHANGING.— Patt is going even more part time — her replacement has been hired, and 

See that recycling bin, Friday evening I helped Patt move out which included loading up two of these things,

And this is her new office back in the brick building, similar to and the near the location of her original office where she started with the company.  

The old office is now ready for the new occupant.   Yes indeed, a pretty big transition for Patt this week.

But that is just getting started.  That van in front of our house just hints at a transition that is on the way.  We have visitors coming and that is their van.  Stay tuned for some serious TRANSITIONS.  

Gonna be a few changes around here the next couple of days.  yes indeed.  yes indeed.

As Matt has said "their Show is going on the road"      …………  It is gonna be a transition for sure and we are excited.

Waikiki Beach and some visitors

Mark and I moved on to Waikiki Beach, which as you probably have heard is quite nice, crowded, tourists speaking many languages, and lots of opportunities to buy some sort of souvenir — there is no shortage of stores selling Hawaii / beach stuff — and apparently people buy it too.  

 View from the pool/bar deck at the hotel where we ate a couple of times.  Rough duty, but as they say….

 and the view from our hotel.  Swimming was nice - but not as nice as some of the earlier beaches we went to on the North Shore, just a little larger, and with lots of friends and neighbors.

 Yeah, it was pretty.  The views are worth selling.

We had visitors, who stayed for the afternoon of playing in the pool — (they have been to a beach).

 We adjourned to our room for a picnic on the patio /deck of our room.  Had a delightful, meal, discussion, and general all round good time at dinner of sandwiches from Subway.

 Later just before bedtime, a little Sports Center to catch up on the news.  And then we had sleeping bags and pillows and campers on the floor of the room.

 Got back to Schofield, went for a walk, back home to watch tape delay of the Alabama-LSU game with a partner (unfortunately he did not stay as long as I would have liked- Big E as I call him is such a joy.)

 And as I was preparing this final entry of here early on a Sunday morning prior to our departure for the mainland and fall weather, (Mark and I remained a little jet laged and early risers as a result)

 We were joined by other early risers of the household— and we had companions for the morning- which is very very nice.

Shark's Bay swimming

That is Shark's Bay — we did not swim in there though it did look inviting and people do.  It was just a little rough as we approached from the extreme left in photo below and the lava flow rocks a little sharp.  We did however swim and see a lot in the little (well not so little) pool formed by the lava.

 This is part of it,  the outer pools are quite deep in places and the gap in the middle where the ocean streams in with waves can have a very strong current- like turn you over, push you away, and cause you to grab for something to hold to and try to dodge the rocks.

 Here is a wider view - at the extreme right was a cave through which the ocean also poured with each wave.

 These photos were taken from up on a hill over looking the pool where we parked.

 and we entered from this end.  Swimming most of the way across that pool as it was easier than walking.

The big kids were great adventurers, (anyone surprised at that?) (Eric was attending his pretty school-for a birthday celebration with his 3 year old peers)

 Hanging onto the side of the rock edge of the pool.  Watching the tropical fish around the coral and rocks was a real treat.  Dozens and dozens of them - all types and colors and shapes.

 And one real big sting ray gliding through under us.  Emphasis on the under us.  Estimated size is four feet across and six feet head to tail tip.  And he was our frequent partner gliding into and out of view often. (photos in the pool by Julie- — pretty good- huh?).  The ray never ceased to cause my heart to quicken just a bit whenever I saw him and I pulled up my feet each time too.

And I would definitely add this place to a go back to list on a list of places and things to do.  Of course that descriptions fits a lot of stuff we have been doing around here.

another hike — and some "RON-EEE -MO"

Ka'ena Point State Park is the northwestern most point on Oahu Island.  It is accessible only by hiking along the coast as there are no roads to the point (google earth it).  We hiked along the northern edge of the approach to the point and the coast line was quite dramatic. 

There were "bridges" over the wash or the waves where the volcanic rock had broken or eroded away.

There were layers of lava flows that had differential erosion from the wave creating overhangs and cliffs.

 The hills rose steeply along the shore and the kids had great fun climbing them, here is Caroline atop one rise — we did not climb the mountains in the background despite a couple of interesting looking trails.

and some Will found just about to much space to roam in along the drift piles of the old volcano between the mountain and the sea.

There was a lot of variety along the shore, from rocky to sandy, cliffs, and coral.

 and watching the waves move in and out along the rocky shore was certainly interesting.

 There was just a lot to see — the wind, the sound of the waves crashing, and sea spray occasionally made for a really nice atmosphere.

 And we were not alone out here, we did see another group of three people and as we were leaving some fishermen were arriving to set up their evening efforts.

 it was one of those really nice days.

We spied an old chair — talk about something out of place - down on the shore line and having already tired of throwing rocks into the sea, now had a ready target.  We all joined into the fray of throwing rocks — note especially the little kid in the red shirt at the end of the line in the photo.

 Eric, was the most enthusastic of us all, throwing repeatedly and yelling loudly with each effort "RON-EEEE- MO!! !!!! .  (an abbreviated pronunciation of Geronimo)  (the photo below is an actual action photo as a rock has just left Eric's throwing hand and he is still in mid-yell.)

It was just another round of golf

The Fazio Course at Turtle Bay on the North Shore of Oahu is "one of the nicer courses" I have played.  That rolls of the tongue nicely doesn't it?  Try nicest! The sound from the ocean can be a bit distracting, but once you get past that - and the tropical birds, - well, it was a nice outing.

Really, the second green and third tee are right there  — the breeze off the ocean held up my approach shot a bit — yeah that and a poor swing.

The mountains in the distance were a nice back drop too.  This course is in the valley that the Japanese used to fly into Pearl Harbor on their attack in 1941.  (little history and geography lesson from Justin)

 The wind really did play a part of the day, note, the flag that Justin is moving from the pin.

and here is Mark, coming back toward the green- he eventually found it.  Actually it was yours truly who heard most frequently "you are away"  or the dreaded "you are still away"

 this is where we were.  As the sign says - the Fabled North Shore.  -and I can see why.

Restaurant Review # 28 (I think) Haleiwa Joe's and a trip up river and a day at the beach

Haleiwa Joe's at famous Haleiwa Beach ought to be on your stop for fish tacos.  Joe is a little proud of them but they are well worth it.  Haleiwa Beach is a almost a "to much" surf shop and beach type place.  It is what you would expect for a beach town if you were looking for one.  

Joe's  place is open and has a great view of the bay - unfortunately not picked up in the photo.

 We enjoyed our meal and would go back for the seafood for sure.  Pacific Blue Marlin was really quite good grilled with the taco type mixin's.

 Earlier we paddle boarded up a creek / small river that feed into the bay to see the sea turtles and fish that travel up the river.

 The kids spent time as passengers / helpers on different boards.  Not all of us were tipped over.

 Yesterday was at Bellows Air Station Beach, - boy those Air Force Guys really have a tough place to be in the service while in Hawaii.

 We set up our tent just on the beach in front of the forest that comes down to the beach.   The sand is a real fine sand that stirs up with the waves but beyond the breakers it is very very clear.

 The afternoon was a treat.— very very relaxing and a fun beach to play on- much like a North Carolina Beach.