Tunnels!

Another rare occasion when I took both dogs out on a hike...they had great fun checking out the tunnels!

Remains of the Home of Douglas Damon

Took Gabby with me on a hike/walk down Kamananui Valley Road and visited the remains of the home of Douglas Damon. It was a pretty interesting experience as we heard some drumming nearby. Except we were in the middle of the valley and it sounded as if a hundred or so drums. VERY interesting. My friend shared with me all about the Night Marchers...very unusual for them to be around during the day, but not impossible.
http://www.to-hawaii.com/legends/night-marchers.php

Lake Gaston

I love being on the east coast during the spring and fall. Living in Hawaii, I don't experience the change of seasons and I do miss it a little bit. It was nice to see the flowers in bloom and nothings says spring like fuzzys!!  I loved seeing the little geese around the lake.  That was a real treat.

 

Biltmore, Asheville

After Knoxville, My Parents & I decided to stop at the Biltmore Estate. My folks had been before and really enjoyed it.  This trip had been rather sad thus far and we thought it might be nice to do something uplifting.  It was really lovely as the tulips were in bloom and we were practically still in the smoky mountains (we had just driven through them).  I love the mountain air and the gorgeous views!

Ball Camp, Knoxville

Had to head east recently as my dear dear Grandmother passed away. One stop was in Knoxville, Tennessee.  I had not been there in ages.  The town had changed quite a bit in the decades since I had visited  becoming quite metropolitan however, there was one little area that really had not changed too much... Ball Camp.  This little area has a lot of family history for me. Ball Camp Baptist Church sits on land that was donated by my Grandmother's Uncle. My Grandmother lived next door to the church as a child with her brother and parents and then later my father lived in the same house with his parents and grandparents.  That house is no longer there, but the cemetery is on the other side of the church.  My Mother and I walked through and found family headstones while my Father talked to the Preacher.  I have always found cemeteries peaceful...Ball Camp Cemetery is no exception. This tiny cemetery just off the road was probably the place I found the most peace during this trip.

Saturday Hiking with the Dogs

Normally, I only take one of them with me when I go on a hike.  Partially because of the potential for encountering hunting dogs...I want to be able to pick them up out of reach of the hunting dogs.  I can pretty easily pick up one, but not both.  (Had a bad experience before where we encountered a pack of hunting dogs that tried to attack Mackey and I had to pick him up)  I took both this past Saturday to a trail that allows hunting only on Sundays and Wednesdays, so we were all good.

Doggie Hike

Last weekend, Gabby & I joined the Humane Society for a hike in Waimanalo (Maunawili Demonstration Trail).  It was a good size group of both people and dogs.  Gabby made friends with a Dachshund.  A very adorable Cocker Spaniel made friends with me.  The owner said he did not normally do that (I took that as a compliment :)).

Manana 3.0

Made it a half mile further this week...

Manana 2.5

Heading Out

Heading Back

This is one of my regular hikes.  Usually. whoever I am with wants to turn around at the picnic table (just short of the 2 mile point).  On this Saturday, we were able to continue on for awhile, to the 2.5 mile marker.  It was nice have some new views.

Wa'ahila Ridge State Park

How fun it is to discover new places, especially when you live on an island. I had never been to this park before.  It's a great park in itself, but a ridge hike also starts here.  I did a little bit of the hike with Mackey, but had to turn back early due to prior commitments.  I will be back for sure with plans to complete it.

Mackey's Day

This past Sunday, I went on a short hike with Mackey after our Obedience Class.  This is a perfect picture to summarize this day.  People in our class as well as people along the trail commented on how happy Mackey seemed.  They all asked if he was always like this...yep, pretty much. :D

Warm Colors on Saturday

I very much enjoyed hiking with my Gabby this past Saturday.  Some might think that I hike with my dogs just to photograph them in interesting environments/backgrounds! ;-)  This is not entirely untrue.

Sunday Stroll

I enjoyed my Saturday hike along the coast so much, I decided to explore another area with my dogs on Sunday.  

Gabby Girl

Where's Mackey?

Saturday hike

View from my hike this Saturday...along the western coastline.  It was a nice change of pace to be at sea level and spotting some turtles and whales along the way.

Pu'u O Hulu...Uka

My neighbor & I went up Pu'u O Hulu again, but this time headed up the back side of the saddle.  It was very rocky and much more climbing than I expected.  This is the view looking back. :)

Looking toward Waianae

We had a beautiful Saturday this past weekend.  This was the view (one of the views) while hiking up Pu'u O Hulu.

Aihualama Falls

Aihualama Falls...pretty wimpy as far as Falls go

However, it was still a nice walk with pretty flowers and birds along the way...

Short Sunday Hike

A short hike with Mackey today...

with a nice view of Kaneohe Bay...

Kuli'ou'ou Ridge Trail

View at the top of the Ridge...Looking over Waimanalo & Windward side.

When I hiked this trail the first time back in October, we got to the summit only to find we were in the clouds.  No view at all.  This time, we got there in time to have a view for about 60 seconds before the clouds rolled in!

Heading back down...Looking toward Koko Head

While hiking with my Mackey Boy...Waimalu Loop

Maui Weekend of Rainbows

Although this was not taken on a hike, it's worth sharing/remembering.  For the four days that I was on Maui,   it felt like there was a rainbow at every turn.  We were there during a storm (rain & wind).  However, rain in Hawaii usually means there is a rainbow somewhere. :-)

Waiakoa Loop Trail

I traveled to Maui recently with some family that was visiting.  We hiked part of Waiakoa Loop Trail which is on the slopes of Haleakala.  I say we hiked part of the trail because it seems we missed a right turn and continued straight on 'a trail' which may have been for cattle (we ran into several cows)!  That brought some excitement to the hike!

It was interesting hiking in the clouds!  Having a rainbow present for a good portion of the hike was really wonderful.  Could not have asked for better views or weather. :-)