Hurricane Ana & Hiking The Pali Puka

Aloha! This past weekend was a gorgeous rain storm from Hurricane Ana. We never really get rainstorms on the island so I enjoyed every minute of the cool winds and the sound of rain patter.  The whole neighborhood was flooded so I whipped out my rain boots and got to watch the boys skim board on our flooded lawn. I was even the crazy lady suggesting helmets once they amped up their skim boarding in the yard to being pulled behind the truck. Thankfully, no one was hurt. 

 Anyway, we were able to squeeze in some one on one time with nature this past week before the storm hit. I am constantly begging Brady to go out and hike this island with me and he finally agreed to hike the Pali Puka. I am serious when it comes to hiking this island, let me tell you. He always enjoys our hikes but he has a million other things he would rather be doing than trekking through the Hawaiian jungle with me.  

So the hike is hidden off of the side of the Nu'Uanu Pali Lookout. If you remember, I did a post on the Pali  Lookout last year during one of our bike adventures. In all honesty the Yelp reviews on this hike had me a little freaked. People said that this hike was more mental than physical and at some portions you had LITERALLY NOTHING  to hold on to at some of the sketchiest parts of the hike. Let me tell you, most of these things were true. I would say that it's equally challenging for the muscles and the brains. The fact that you are literally scaling a mountain with the strong force of the wind pushing you over with nothing to grab on to but trees and shrubs freaked. me. out. This is my favorite view of the island so I sucked it up and kept on trekking. Every angle of this hike is a view and every view of this hike is phenomenal.

    

Do you see that paved lookout area around the center of the picture? That's the actual look out area where I snapped the photos from the last Pali blog post. Also, you can see our white truck in the parking lot and all of the busloads of tourists. I hope that no matter where I go, I always get to find the secret and amazing 'local' perspective and not just the tourist perspective. There is always so much more to the story and the beauty. 

Brady put up with my mountain top yoga and snapped a few of these photos. It was such a challenge finding rocks that I was able to balance on because they weren't level and the wind was working against me. I love how these shots came out though. Look at Kaneohe Bay in the distance. 

Aloha Lives!

Hey, look! It's Honolulu!

  

This ornery jerk decided that he wanted to hang off of the side of the mountain for me to take a photo. I freaked outttttttt. Like instantly started having a panic attack and crying. I have never in my life had that reaction. I still got the shot while I was freaking out. He still teases me and says I could have gotten a better angle of him. 

The Ko' Olau Mountains are so breathtaking. 

Here's one of those sketchy areas where the thin path and the drop off met. 

The panorama shots are always my favorite from every hike we do! One of these days I'll do a post of just panoramas.

I hope you enjoyed our hiking photos as much as we do! I'll be back soon to tell you all about my trip to  Iolani Palace. I've been packing every day off of work full of these beautiful island experiences and my blogging fingers will release all of these awesome stories soon! I've also go some craftygirl stuff coming your way!

Mahalo, 

Erin

My Last Hawaiian Summer: In Photos

Aloha,

Lately I've been feeling the end of my time here in this gorgeous paradise of Oahu approaching quickly. It's been encouraging me to pack in as many adventures as I can hence my lack of love here on the blog. I'm determined that a picture is worth a thousand words so here is my last month in photos.

 My neighbor girls and I did a Mai Tai and Monet painting party and got to paint these four foot surf boards. I couldn't resist the photo op.

 

Brady and I visited the Hawaiian Railway Society and rode the train all the way from Kapolei to Electric Beach boarding Wainae. 

I've been on a spiritual journey these last few months trying to dig deeper within myself. One way of trying to reach that deeper piece of me has been through yoga. Our neighborhood does these yoga on the beach sessions and they were a great way to dig deep while listening to the ocean kiss the shore. 

A few of the awesome ladies in my community and I took out paddle boards on the lagoon. I couldn't help but yoga it out just to test my balance. 

Do you remember my luau post from last year? We had the pleasure of attending a year later to reenact our luau beach photo. Our terrific neighbors Mike and Christy set up a tent and a buffet of awesome food so we could munch while we watched the show. I have never, ever, in my life had such amazing neighbors. Seriously, every person living around our home is such a blessing. I'll forever miss them and the days we share in this gorgeous place. 

 

Christy, Vonnie, and I went to the Bishop Musem in Honolulu. This gorgeous piece of architecture was built by a husband and dedicated to his late wife Bernice Bishop. Talk about romance, building a $60,000 museum in the 1890's

I took myself on a day date to the Honolulu Museum of Art and I was blown away.

One of the saddest parts of the month was saying goodbye to our friend Rachel and her husband, Lance. The military brought us together for these amazing last few years and now it's taking us in different directions. I'm so very thankful of the bond we created, the adventures we had here, and the laughs we shared. Love you Rach!

Along with my "spiritual fitness" I set out on a Fit-Tember list of goals. I'm proud to say, I've almost crushed all of my goals. I still have a few more days so I'll check back in with the final numbers of my Fit-Tember. I finally got my big girl running shoes that were made for my feet and my stride. Lots of personal goals set this month. 

 

     

I've been getting into the wonderful benefits of essential oils. I'm still doing my oil research and It's too early to give my personal praises yet. 

Working on latte art. Yep, I still suck.

These last two weeks I've been helping our little 3rd Cup Cafe open inside of WZ Family Entertainent location in Kaimuki. This place is done up so high end with a blend of koa wood, slate, and rock walls/bar and granite countertops. It's even topped off with a brand new stainless steel L' Anna espresso machine and high tech grinder to boot! It's got our same 3rd Cup recipes, products, and baristas but in a new and fun entertaining space. If you're on the island, seriously go check it out! Or just come to the original cafe in Kunia. There's nothing quite like an original! 

Demo has also been quite the little social butterfly too. He just loves baby Penelope and his little Gobi Bear.

The scenery of my neighborhood during my evening runs shows me how lucky I am to be living here.

My sweet baby nephew Cayden Lee is growing into his sweet little three month old baby self! Look at how perfect he is! 

These cuties!

My last Lanikai Hike in July.

On my last trip from Schofield I had to pull over on the country roads to take a picture of this sunset on the Wainae Mountain Range. This has absolutely no filter. 

My girl Zabrena and I went to enjoy the airshow today at Joint base Pearl Harbor/ Hickam. I got to enjoy The Blue Angels for the millionth time since they are from my home town. It was nice to see them in such a different and patriotic place. I think I said like 5 times today, "man they make me feel so patriotic..." As hard as living this military lifestyle is it makes me so much more thankful for our military. 

Well I hope that this post has helped fill you in since my last one. I'm trying to be better but right now there's nothing like dropping the electronics and getting lost in your adventures. Specially since they are all numbered by something or another. Mahalo for reading, Erin