Arrival at Kailua-Kona airport, Hawaii. Mike with his parents (and a stranger behind them). December 26, 2007.
Sherri, Gayela, John, Berenice, Linda, Mike. Enjoying breakfast together in Malulani Gardens home in Kailua- Kona, Big Island of Hawaii. January 1, 2008.
This is a view from the porch of the house where we were staying. The temple was just down the hill and across the highway. Can you see Angel Moroni "standing" on top of the lamp post?
This is another view from in front of the house where we were staying. Look closely and you can see the cruise ship moored in the bay. The view of sunsets was great, the view of the mountains up behind us was great. The weather was great . . .the house was great!
This is a picture of what Waimea always looks like--hidden in the clouds. Mike's parents spent the first half of their mission in this cute town, but seldom saw any sunshine. Always in the clouds. It's very green and is where Parker Ranch is located.
Here is Rainbow Falls, near Hilo. I tried so hard to capture the deep green shades in the falls, but the camera just wouldn't pick it up. The day was overcast, so no rainbow this time. Just lots and lots and lots of water.
We took a detour on our trip around the island and drove to the very southern-most point on US territory. The water was rough and deep and blue, the rocks very volcanic and holey. Can you tell the wind is blowing (note the sideways pony tail)??
Mauna Kea, MaunaLoa
These mountains are the main part of the volcanic island of Hawaii. They are both snow capped! Yes, Hawaii does have snow. Mauna Kea has many observatories, Mauna Loa is long and not-so-tall looking. But they were both visible! That's kind of unusual.
This is the Kona Temple. Mike and I did managed to attend a session. It took us a couple of tries, but we did OK once we got our hands on a schedule and knew when to show up.
These ferns are so gorgeous. It's like being in Jurassic Park. They are huge--we're talking 20 foot tall fern trees. This was in Volcano National Park, just a short drive from the picture below. Same area, honest!
This is a picture of me at the steaming cauldera of Kilauea volcano.
This has got to be one of the prettiest drives I've ever been on. Beautiful coastal area along the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii. This part is Onomea Bay.
We've known Mickey and Roy Bauer for many years now, and it was good to see them and catch up with their family's activities. They live in Hilo. Roy is the Hilo Stake President.
On one of our last days there, we went to the Farmer's Market. The flowers were great! I had to take some home. There were so many to choose from! This was just a fraction of the variety. I ended up with red anthuriums, some purple orchids, and some white orchid sprays. Tough choices, I must say.
Yes, we loooked like the Beverly Hillbillies as we headed to the airport. Our luggage would not fit into the tiny trunk of our cute rental car, so Mike piled it on top and tied it down with bungee cords.
Aren't these pretty flowers? We were just waiting for our flight out of Kona and the sun was shining. It was so nice and pleasant, I just walked around and took some pictures of the bright tropical flowers. This is Red Ginger.
Hawaiian Airlines has graduated since the last time we were here. When John needed assistance in getting on or off the plane, they had an old fork lift with some sort of platform attached. This time they had an actual sissor-lift type machine with a roof over it and everything. This is a picture of Mike helping his Dad onto the plane as we were departing Kona.
The Kona sunset behind one of the many cruise ships that were frequently moored in Kona Bay. This one was taken on our last Sunday in Kona.
Here's a picture of Mike's parents on the plane on their way home to freezing Cedar City! Brrrrr
