In my free time, i.e. when school is not in session, I am a blogger.<---- That's my blog.
But in my fun time...
Over the summer my girlfriend, Michele, and I started up a
sometimes-every-Wednesday hiking habit.
I've been a hiker ever since forever and when the Air Force landed us in Hawaii, I was super excited to take advantage of the amazing views and tropical terrain.
I have blogged a handful of times about some of my hikes.
And being a picture whore avid photographer, I've always got tons of visuals to share with the world.
Since coming to Hawaii 2 years ago my hiking score card has grown steadily.
There are a few duplicates, but a hike is a hike... right?
Aiea Loop Trail
Maunawili Falls
Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau hike
Manoa Falls
Aiea Loop ...again
Maunawili ...again!
Pu'u Ohia & Manoa Cliffs
UH Manoa's Japanese Gardens (yah I count that!)
Maunawili ...again!!
Manoa Falls ...again
Aiea Loop ...again
Waimea Valley ...again
Kuliouou Ridge Trail
...and yesterday, I hiked all over the UH Campus for 2 hours taking my girlfriend on a tour... ugg.
As you can see (by the hyperlinks above) I've only recorded FOUR of those beautiful days.
Each one has its own unique memory, its own photos and story...
And I plan to write about them all...
But today...
...today is about
MAUNAWILI FALLS!
Yah, I've been there 3 times already. It's one of my favs here on Oahu.
So, to remember my time there, I'm gonna do a smush-blog and tell you about all 3 trips!
On my first trip
I went with the fam and a couple of friends. That's Riley on the rock, Taylor in the purple and My Love being a dork. The girls were 7 and 9 then.
We were still pretty new in Hawaii... only having been here for three months then. But already, I was in love with the Beauty in Creation that is here in the Pacific. Every step further that I took into the forest calmed my nerves. When I am surrounded by nature, I am at home.
The girls were troopers and loved bouldering and leaping over the water!
It was so crowded once we reached the falls.
Weekends are NOT the time to go if you're looking for peace and tranquility.
But if you want to sit and relax in spectacular beauty and watch crazy people jump off the rocks, Saturday is the day for you.
After watching and wading in the muddy water for a little bit, Taylor decided she wanted to jump.
She's always been my fearless one.
That's Lucas, with the dragon on his back, taking Taylor out to the falls!
Click here to see Taylor and her daddy TAKING THE PLUNGE!
Like I said...
I
am
a
fairy
I really do think I belong in the woods.
After hiking the Maunawili that day, I knew I'd return again and again.
I was in love.
The second time...
was not as memorable...
but was in no way any less beautiful.
Maunawili's Trail still took my breath away.
That time I'd gone with a group of women that I knew through a friend.
And some guy came too. He took the pictures you see here.
That's me in the blue (above), leading the way of course...
cause I'm the woodland fairy.
OH yah!
The falls are not the only thing that's gorgeous on this hike.
I find myself most awestruck when I see enormous views like the one pictured above.
The mountains and the old dinosaur trees make me feel small.
Being amongst the vast expanses make me feel grateful.
That's me with the little pink backpack walking away.
but was in no way any less beautiful.
Maunawili's Trail still took my breath away.
 |
| ok. so I took this one. hehe |
That time I'd gone with a group of women that I knew through a friend.
And some guy came too. He took the pictures you see here.
That's me in the blue (above), leading the way of course...
cause I'm the woodland fairy.
OH yah!
I find myself most awestruck when I see enormous views like the one pictured above.
The mountains and the old dinosaur trees make me feel small.
Being amongst the vast expanses make me feel grateful.
That's me with the little pink backpack walking away.
And here are the four of us...posing as girls will do.
...yah, that's when I was still tan. =/
The Third Trip...
was pretty fantastic.
It's hard to top Tator's first jump.
But this time we'd hiked to Maunawili on one of our Wednesday hikes.
I love taking pics of flowers. Not really sure why. But my family has accepted my addiction.
This beautiful little Baby Bouquet is no bigger than the size of my fist. These flowers dot the bushes that line Ke'ewina Street right near the trailhead. We always start there.
Below: Michele and I
I love having her as a hiking partner. She is one of my dearest friends.
Looking at this photo, I can just hear her laughing as I forced her to stand that way for a pic.
My girls were obsessed with my muddy leg.
They said this bit looked like a fire truck and insisted I take a picture of it for my brother who is a firefighter back in Texas.
I think it looks like a race car with a tank canon on top... just sayin'.
So, here are the kiddos. Like I said, this was our summer-time, sometimes-every-Wednesday hike.
I was keeping my friend's 5 year old son that day. And I am a brave woman... so I took him along.
That's my Taylor, the little stinker-snot you've all read about, standing with him.
Yes, I know she is giant for an 11 year old. She's 5'4" and reminds me every day that she's only 2 inches shorter than me. =/
My bebe, Riley, is there in the yellow suit standing with Michele's youngest daughter.
I think they love getting their picture taken.
I have no idea why their faces are so contorted and weird in this photo. ;)
Yah, I'm a freakin' fairy.
And I feel free and at home and at peace in the woods...
But what I think I'm really, really grateful for...
is the fact that my girls love it too.
They appreciate God's Creation and stand in awe of is His Glory as evidenced by places like Maunawili Falls.
I may blog about my hikes and take goofy photos, but what we are really doing is building memories that will last a lifetime. One day, all too soon, when my girls are grown and gone...
they will remember their time in Hawaii...
...and remember a paradise.
The Third Trip...was pretty fantastic.
It's hard to top Tator's first jump.
But this time we'd hiked to Maunawili on one of our Wednesday hikes.
I love taking pics of flowers. Not really sure why. But my family has accepted my addiction.
This beautiful little Baby Bouquet is no bigger than the size of my fist. These flowers dot the bushes that line Ke'ewina Street right near the trailhead. We always start there.
Below: Michele and I
I love having her as a hiking partner. She is one of my dearest friends.
Looking at this photo, I can just hear her laughing as I forced her to stand that way for a pic.
My girls were obsessed with my muddy leg.
They said this bit looked like a fire truck and insisted I take a picture of it for my brother who is a firefighter back in Texas.
I think it looks like a race car with a tank canon on top... just sayin'.
So, here are the kiddos. Like I said, this was our summer-time, sometimes-every-Wednesday hike.
I was keeping my friend's 5 year old son that day. And I am a brave woman... so I took him along.
That's my Taylor, the little stinker-snot you've all read about, standing with him.
Yes, I know she is giant for an 11 year old. She's 5'4" and reminds me every day that she's only 2 inches shorter than me. =/
My bebe, Riley, is there in the yellow suit standing with Michele's youngest daughter.
I think they love getting their picture taken.
I have no idea why their faces are so contorted and weird in this photo. ;)
Yah, I'm a freakin' fairy.
And I feel free and at home and at peace in the woods...
But what I think I'm really, really grateful for...
is the fact that my girls love it too.
They appreciate God's Creation and stand in awe of is His Glory as evidenced by places like Maunawili Falls.
I may blog about my hikes and take goofy photos, but what we are really doing is building memories that will last a lifetime. One day, all too soon, when my girls are grown and gone...
they will remember their time in Hawaii...
...and remember a paradise.
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