Hawaii Trip - 5/30/2008 - Waimea Canyon, Salt Pond Beach, Graduation Party

We decided to take one of our "big" trips on Friday. After a yummy breakfast we loaded up the van and the car and headed toward the Waimea Canyon. It wasn't too far but the speed limits are a lot lower in Hawaii. You wouldn't want to go too fast anyway because you would miss the beautiful scenery. We stopped at one overlook along the way and took some pictures.

The view at the scenic overlook

Uncle Jeff holds up Sierra for a better view at the overlook

Then we stopped at Jo-Jo's Shaved Ice (props to my niece who my girls call Jo-Jo) and got some (you guessed it) shaved ice. Sierra and I also used their bathroom - which may be the most disgusting indoor bathroom I have ever used. Then we stopped by the Menehune ditch and walked over a very scary swinging bridge. I've been on the one over the Kootenai River in Libby, Montana and it was nothing compared to this one (not because of height, but because of sturdiness or lack thereof).

Our family on the swinging bridge

Then we went up to the canyon. The roads were so winding that Sarah had to take over the driving to keep from getting sick. We made it to the canyon overlook and it was breathtaking.

The Waimea Canyon from the overlook

Then we drove up a little further into Koke'e State Park to eat lunch at the lodge. The food was actually really good and the prices were really reasonable. We decided to make the trip up a little further to get a view of the Na Pali coast from the northernmost overlook in the park. The road was so full of pot holes that it felt like we were constantly swerving to avoid them. It was definitely worth the drive. The view was indescribable.

The Na Pali Coast from Koke'e State Park

Unfortunately Sierra took a little tumble and skinned up her knee. We were able to calm her down and use baby wipes (mom's best friend) to wipe off the blood.

Mimi takes a break in the shade with the injured Sierra

After we drove back down to the coast we stopped at Salt Pond Beach. The current was really strong, but Sierra enjoyed some swimming with Uncle Jeff, Aunt Rachel, and mom. Bob-Bob enjoyed some body boarding.

After a while we drove back to the house and had a graduation party for Sierra. She had missed her graduation from preschool back in Ohio that evening and we wanted to make her feel special. I have never seen her smile so big. Mimi provided her with her own graduation cap, we all hummed "Pomp and Circumstance" for her, enjoyed cake and ice cream, presented her with a diploma, and played a game of "pop the balloons." Of course Sierra won the game and received her $10 prize. She went to bed a very happy girl.

Sierra proudly displays her diploma

Sierra showing off her $10 that she won

After we put the girls to bed, Mimi and Bob-Bob went out to a nice dinner by themselves. James and I went for a walk at the neighboring Hyatt. They had bench swings right on the beach and we enjoyed the sights and sounds of the surf at night. Then we checked out the Hyatt pool. It was really nice. We even decided to jump in for a late swim. It was a really cold walk back to the house as we had no towels. Jeff and Rachel had ordered pizza and we enjoyed some of that when we got back to the house. It was a long, but really fun day!