Aloha Hawaii

This post really could have been titled 'How to skip town when the weather is going to hit record highs... in spring' but that would have been long-winded and overly dramatic.  Because honestly who could argue with 80 degress, on an island, away from home and work, and white sand beaches.  Not this girl.

I somehow squeezed all of this into one carry on.

Gabe and I went to Oahu for a week with my side of the family to celebrate my parent's 40th anniversary and... because we could.  One of the best things about this trip - leaving from Bellingham!  Okay, probably not one of the top best things about this trip but it ranks pretty high up there.  I know - I'm simple.  Seriously though, it's really nice to fly out from home without having to drive an hour plus south and deal with traffic or coordinate someone to take us.  I'll take a five minute drive to the airport with a five minute security check any day.  Small town airports flying cool places FTW!

We flew mid-day and landed in Honolulu around dinner time.  We were pretty pooped early due to the time difference and called it a night after dinner.  The next, and pretty much every day after that involved a beach.  We were staying right in Waikiki, which although crowded and touristy, it's still pretty convenient.  

A summary of our trip - beach, driving, eating, sleeping, running, drinking gin and tonics and mai tais, taking pictures of Zoey, beach, driving, running, drinking, visiting with relatives, eating, beach, drinking, beach, stand up paddle boarding (SUPing), chasing turtles while SUPing, beach, running, driving, eating, sleeping, drinking.  Okay, I think you get the point.

We had a lovely time.  I came away with a new appreciation for tan lines NOT from bike shorts, Udon noodles, sand everywhere, and the palapas of Mexico that give you some shade on the beach... which Hawaii needs to seriously invest in.

As is typical I have pictures to share so here you go if you haven't skipped here already.  Mahalo family for convincing Gabe and I to go.  Oh and Demetra and Collin - you have a child and therefore I have no pictures of the two of you.  Zoey wins!

The view from my parents room.

Beach Time!

Flora

Food and Drink

Walking and Running

Zoey

Traveling Home in Style... or Lack Thereof