When we moved to Wuerzburg Germany in 1981, after nine months at Ft Bliss for the Officer’s Advance Course, I had never volunteered. I had not thought about volunteering and did not have an interested in doing work for no pay. Then Lupe and I volunteered to help with Kristie and Maria’s Girl Scout Brownie troop as assistant leaders. Pauline Lancaster, a super organizer and an outstanding woman, was the leader of troop 22. As assist leaders, we helped Pauline plan troop activities along with maintaining troop and the girl’s records. Because we were overseas, the girls wore the North Atlantic Girl council patch TOFS, which stood for Troops on Foreign Soils This was just one of our trips as a troop. Lupe, Maria, Carmen, Kristie, Holan and me are all in this photo. Pauline is standing behind me. Heidelberg Castle (in German: Heidelberger Schloss) is a famous castle ruins …
Our visit to the Shetlar family lake house on Pomme de Terre Lake included an outing to Lead Mine. It was a 30 to 40 minute drive back into the Missouri country side. The community is located about 3.5 miles east of Tunas on Missouri Route E and approximately 50 miles north-northeast of Springfield, The Lead Mine community is made up of 50 to 60 Old Order Mennonite families. These Mennonites left Lancaster, Penn., in 1969 and settled in Missouri because land was cheaper. Most people thing they are Amish but they are members of Stauffer Mennonite Church. It is a small conservative sector with similarities to the Amish. Most Mennonite are more modern than this group and use electricity. First we stopped at the produce auction. Mennonites are known worldwide for their farming practices and in the summer, many families sell their produce. We wanted to purchase some of …
When we first reached the Helona Blowhole area we stopped at an overlook area thinking that this was where the blowhole was located. We soon realized it was not. It was a place to look at the coast line. Further down Hanauma Bay we found Helona Blowhole. The blowhole is created by water being forced through a lava tube and into the air. On windy days when the tide is high, the ocean breeze sends the waves rolling onto the shore where the tube then shoots a spray high into the air like a geyser. When the wave conditions are right, water can shoot up to 30 feet! After the lava tube explodes, the water recedes as the waves rush away from the shore. Hawaii’s most recognized landmark is known for its historic hiking trail, stunning coastal views and military history. We hiked to the summit which is 763 feet …
The Kelly’s picked us up at the cruise port and we were off to Aulani, a beachfront paradise, for two days of relaxation. Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, sets on the white sandy shores of O’ahu in Ko Olina. Upon our arrival we were presented with leis. By this time we were getting a very large collection! We left the car with the valet and was taken to our 1,100 square foot accommodations. Our room was amazing. We had an ocean view parlor suite that also looked down on the lazy river as well as a great view of the ocean. Later in the day we grabbed a tube and let the gentle current carry us through the Waikolohe Valley Lazy River. There were rock formations caverns and fountain springs that offer bursts of cooling refreshment. The Waikolohe Pool was a 8,200 zero entry pool with a thrilling tunnel …
The Pride of America docked in Nawiliwili Harbor, on the island’s southeast coast, near the town of Lihue. We hopped on the Harbor Trolley to the beaches of Kalapaki Bay. We enjoyed the refreshing water, the sandy beach and watching boats coming and going. We stopped in at Kalapaki Joe’s for drinks. After a morning in Nawiliwili Kauai, we headed back to the ship for a relaxing afternoon. The ship was hosting a sail away barbecue pool party, as we sailed out of Kauai, we went poolside and enjoyed the live music from the ships band “The Wave.” After awhile we moved from a table to the lounge chairs and the pool. We had a great waitress, who keep our drinks full, even when we were in the pool. No need to get out and go to the bar, she was right there checking on us, calling us by our …
Kauas origins are volcanic, the island having been formed at approximately six million years ago, is the oldest of the main islands. One of the wettest spots on earth, with an annual average rainfall of 460 inches, is located on the east side of Mount WaiÊ»aleÊ»ale. The high annual rainfall has eroded deep valleys in the central mountains, carving out canyons with many scenic waterfalls. Outside of the port, there were lots of buses to take hundreds of people off to their adventures for the day. Oral traditions tell of the sacred births of Kaua`inui and Wailuanuiho`ano and the establishment of this area as a birthing site reserved for royalty. These ancient stones were synonymous with both birth and death in ancient times. Pregnant women carrying Kauai’s unborn royalty were led here to give birth. The location was also used to sacrifice enemy warriors and others unfortunate people to the …
We watched as the crew as they lowered the life boats down to tender us to the shore. We picked up tender tickets and was off to Kailua-Kona was the first royal capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. There were historical landmarks within walking distance of the pier including a Heiau (temple), the first Christian church in Hawaii and a summer palace. A painter was doing a landscape of these in the distance. The water was so clear you could see the bottom with many rocks. Back from Hattie’s we stopped in at Splashers Grill for drinks and apps, before heading back to the tenders. Out in the bay the Atlantis Submarine, a 48 passenger submarine, was docked. The sub was featured in National Geographic television specials. We hopped on a shuttle to Hilo Hattie’s, the store of Hawaii. They carry a wide selection of Hawaii attire. We wore are …
At the Big Island Candy Factory we were met at the door by a super friendly staff member, who immediately offered fresh sweets and coffee! The facility is clean and modern with large windows through which we observed staff creating a variety of hand-made chocolate treats. The Thomas A. Jaggar Museum is a museum on volcanology with displays of equipment used by scientists in the past to study the volcano, working seismographs, and an exhibit of clothing and gear from scientists who got a bit too close to lava. The overlook, outside the building, offers an incredible view of the main crater, Halema’uma’u. Along the rim there were interpretive displays about Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. We were hoping to see the lava but they keep you a safe distance from it. In May 2018 the facility was closed and the property evacuated due to collapse explosions …
The 318-foot-long Olowalu Tunnel on the Honoapiilani Highway along Maui’s southwest coast west of Maalaea Harbor was built in 1951. It is the oldest highway tunnel in Hawaii. On the mauka (inland) side of each portal is wire netting to keep rocks from falling onto the roadway. Mai’Poin’a ‘oe Ia’u Beach Park is a quiet beach located in North Kihei, on South Central Maui. The narrow beach runs a mile and is an extension of Maalaea Beach and Sugar Beach. Water is typically calm in the mornings making it excellent for swimming. In the afternoons, it can get quite windy making Mai’Poin’a a popular spot for wind surfing. Ukumehame Beach Park is located near the 12 mile marker along the Honoapiilani Highway. The park takes its name from the huge valley which can be seen directly behind it which carves a spectacular “V” in the West Maui Mountains. These dangerous …
As we docked in Maui, the sun was coming up with dense cloud cover. As it began to peeked through a hole in the clouds, it was as if it was burning a hole in the clouds. Finally, the sun won and the sky opened up to a bright sunny day. The Coast Guard came along side the ship to come aboard to complete the paper work necessary for us to leave the ship. With all the paper work done, we got off the ship and had our ship photos taken. Along Maui’s rugged eastern coastline is the peaceful town of Hana, considered one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers. The legendary road to Hana is only 52 miles from Kahului. The road was so narrow that many times it was a one-lane road (even though it went 2 ways) with a mountain on one side and a sheer drop …