And the days dwindle down

To a precious few. So, we’ve been trying to see everything (unsuccessfully). We’ve been searching out some of our favorite beaches (especially Waimea Bay) and hiking to see some waterfalls. On Thursday, we did the Manoa Falls Trail. It’s been improved somewhat (read less natural) since we last walked it in 1991 but it’s still a great trail within the city. Sorry, Travis, but we weren’t able to find the vine where you had your Tarzan moment. There was a rock slide near the falls in 2002 and liability worries have resulted in warning signs and roped-off areas at the base of the falls.

Our Friday hike was to Maunawili Falls on the other side of the Ko’olau Mountains. The hike is about 1.3 miles each way and takes you through some beautiful scenery with no sand in sight. It ends in a small, pretty waterfall with an inviting pool. It’s a very popular spot so you don’t have the trail or the pool to yourself very long. Just after we arrived at the falls, tow local kids showed up and started jumping off the rocks. Between picture taking stints, the schoolteachers peeked out with a question about “how come you’re not in school this Friday morning?” I guess it was a teachers’ workshop day. At any rate, we left them happily enjoying the waterfall and the pool.

Earlier the week, we hiked up to the top of Diamond Head to see the views of Waikiki, Honolulu and surrounding area. We found ourselves wondering how many feet had climbed those steps inside the crater since the last time we’d come to watch a sunrise. No early morning for us this time, just a slow, afternoon stroll. It would be a great place for sunsets except that it’s a military installation and they lock the gates at six o’clock. We also found some time for shopping and shave ice and Doreen took Thursday morning to check out the quilting scene.

Hard to believe that this time tomorrow night we’ll be sitting in the airport waiting for our Air Canada flight to Vancouver. In some ways, we’re ready to go home and get back into our regular routines. But, how regular can it get with Doreen’s quilt weekend starting on Friday and Halloween in Atlanta scheduled next. And then there’s Tammy’s wedding.