Kansas City Weekend

 I remember Brett's first day of Kindergarten at St. Elizabeth's---is it possible he is graduating and on his way to high school?  Rachel and Kyle had a pre-graduation party for grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  Then, we all went to St. Elizabeth's for graduation!

 Last week, Brett had received one of the special Sports awards.

"RUSSELL HYNES AWARD. The winner of this athletic scholarship is:

An 8th grade boy who is an athlete who plays above his ability.

A player who never quits.

A player who brings the best out of his teammates.

A competitive player.

A person who out-hustles others.

The spirited, motivated player who always gives 110%.

A coach's dream because of his desire to excel."

From Rachel:  brett's volleyball season ended last night & those words above rang true for him out on that court every single game. really for him with every sport he's ever played. he gets to keep the trophy for a year, will get his name engraved for 2016 & will present it to the recipient in 2017. so proud of you brett patrick twenter!!!

 Saturday morning, Rachel and I headed to Arrowhead stadium where Libby and Kyle were participating in Girls on the Run, a 5K race.

 Those are a lot of activities for 24 hours!  Thanks for such a great weekend!

Hawaii Day 11 Oahu

November 10, 2007 Oahu

After departing from the ship, we had many hours before our flight left so we took a tour of the island (not Honolulu).  It included the Dole Plantation, North Shore Surf, a ranch where "Lost" was filmed and the Polynesian Cultural Center (which we didn't go into) and my favorite which was the Temple (click here)

 Then, it was back to the Airport with displays, fun restroom signs, but the best was Dave somehow got us special seats for our "red eye" home----the seats the flight attendants use on long over seas flights----two seats which reclined with foot rests and a curtain.

Hawaii Day 9, 10 Kaua'i

November 8, 2007

We attended lectures in the morning on Hawaiian plant and animals. After lunch we had "free time"  Dave and I attended a lecture on Matson ships and the history of cruise ships.

November 9, 2007

We went to Waimea Canyon the "Grand Canyon" of Hawaii.  We also learned more about native plants and animals.

This island also has a lot of "old" Hawaii---fishing villages.  It is a beautiful island which is probably why it is often the setting for movies.  Click here.  I think it would be fun to take one of the movie tours!

Elderhostel group at Waimea Canyon

Our leader Art with a Nene

Hawaii Day 8 Kona, Hawai'i Island

November 7, 2007

We took a tender to Kona.  From the moment I stepped off the ship, I loved it:  we were in "old Hawaii" Pu'uhonua o Honannau National Historical Park.  I enjoyed watching the surf hit the rocks.  It is a place of refuge with Hawaiian huts and sea turtles.  But, this is a historical place too---where King Kamahameha died and where Captain Cook was killed.  His monument is on a strip of land owned by Great Britain.

First,  we went to Norm's Cloud Forest---a friend of Art's who started his own re-forestation project.  Every day around noon, the clouds roll in and water the plants.  We hiked a bit and then went back to Kona were we visited a coffee roasting place, had coffee and saw the coffee plants growing.

coffee plants

That night we had dinner at Liberty where we had Prime Rib or Lobster from Kona.

Hawaii Day 7 Maui

November 6, 2007 Haleakala National Park

We drove up through such a variety of landscapes---lush rainforest to barren mountain top.  We saw birds where I didn't expect them (they go for the seeds in the pony dung left my those who ride ponies to the crater).  Although Becky and Jason rode bikes down the mountain (and it was on my original bucket list), it is now banned.

This was the coldest I felt on the whole trip---you can see in the photo, I had multiple layers.

The "Missing Summit" sign explains that the basin was formed by erosion not volcanic blow out.  this is an active shield volcano.

We learned about the indigenous animals and plants including the silversword.  The park is recognized as an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations.












After a delicious lunch at Sandalwoods (pulled pork), we went back to the ship where we had dinner in Little Italy dining room.  The small specialty dining rooms were far better in service and food quality than the main dining room.

Hawaii Day 6 Maui

November 5, 2007 Kahului, Maui 

We had breakfast at the Cadillac Cafe because it was where we had to go to be served breakfast rather than the buffet which was a problem for me having to juggle 2 plates with no trays.  We weren't the only ones---most mornings we met other Elder Hostlers.  That morning we had a lecture by  Keoki Sousi on "A Changing Maui"  Then we took a bus (after lunch) to Iao Valley to the State park and to Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens with Keoki Sousi.

 The Heritage Gardens featured Japanese Tea House, New England Salt Box, Hawaiian Hale, Chinese Moon Gate and Portuguese outdoor oven all representing the cultures represented on Maui.

The ship stayed in Maui over night allowing those who wished to eat dinner ashore.