After a very exhausting, but rewarding week of VBS (16th-22nd) at Courtney Chapel--one that even included a live drama--the kids & I boarded a C-5 bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii at 7am too early.
It was to be the kids' first-ever visit to the 50th state, and only the second trip of the year. I think they had high expectations, considering that Ray/I had built Hawaii up to be this amazing land of sand, palm trees, and endless adventure. They were in for some disappointments and would ultimately return home unimpressed and DEFinitely never wanting to live there, much to our surprise.
 |
| The flight routed through Guam, a layover that allowed us to check yet another location off the "Been There" list. |
August 30th, 2010:
Ray arrived on a commercial flight from Tokyo...the kids were SO ready for him to arrive because I had basically used the entire week to stave off anything super-exciting; that way, we'd be able to experience it all together. We'd spent the week hanging out at the base pool and visiting with friends from our days in Anchorage.
 |
| Off on one of the many walks we would take to explore the area surrounding Hickam AFB lodging |
 |
| Visiting friends from 8 years ago--Mike/Sheila Chandler. They were incredibly hospitable to the kids/me as we waited for Ray to join us. |
Ray took a huge leap of faith and went under the opthamologist's knife at Tripler VA Hospital to have PRK surgery performed; after 20+ years of seriously impaired vision and several months of pre-op appointments in Okinawa, Ray could see 20/20 by the end of the day!! We remain grateful to all those who faithfully prayed before, during and after the procedure!!
The surgeon kept Ray on a strict recovery plan--no water in the eyes for 2 days--no beach or pool for 2 weeks (uhh, we're in HaWAii, Doc. =). And Ray, just thankful to have had a free, successful surgery, happily complied.
Ray would tell you that the procedure itself was grueling---he uses the word "uncomfortable", which, for a woman would mean "scary". He says he could see the blade going across his eye as the doc made the necessary incisions! Yikes. And not to mention the vigorous pre-surg sterilization (read: scrubbing) of the eyeballs--they actually used iodine (that orange liquid, that apparently burns when you get it in your eye).
 |
| Naturally, for the first few days Ray had mixed feelings about the giant pink building overlooking Pearl Harbor. (Tripler--pictured in the background). |
 |
 |
| Window shopping at the upscale Ala Moana Mall |
 |
| Oh yes, this and Cold Stone--- two places we definitely miss living here in Okinawa. |
 |
| BEAUtiful Kaneohe Bay |
 |
| Lance, goofing off in a rare show of brotherly affection. Haunama Bay (near Waikiki) |
 |
| Rabbit Island |
 |
| once you learn the basics of Hawaiian language, sounding out a word is not as difficult as I once thought. |
 |
| Apparently, *shave* ice is one of the most popular things about North Shore---well, that and the Bonzai. =) |
 |
| geo-caching North Shore with our friends, the Chandlers |
 |
| If you're ever in Hawaii, Pearl Harbor is a MUST see!! |
