Maui September 2007

Justin and I went to Maui for our 5th anniversary and we had an incredible time!

While we were in Maui we attended the "Taste of Lahaina" annual festival; went snorkeling in Molokini Crater; snorkeling with the sea turtles at Turtle Town; hiked Waihe'e Ridge; drove around the upper side of the island where we were able to see many villages like the tiny, but beautiful village of Kahakuloa; hiked the inside of the Haleakala volcano; visited Iao Valley and Kepaniwai Park; drove the Road to Hana and saw many waterfalls; visited Waianapanapa State Park's amazing black sand beach and sea arch; visited the Seven Pools; drove up the backroads into Maui's mountains to Polipoli State Park; got beat up by the waves at Makena Beach; and swam at several different beaches including our own private beach (it sure felt like it was our own private beach).

Lake Powell

Hard to believe, but this was our first trip to Lake Powell.

These pictures were taken on August 3, 2007. We are on top of the houseboat as we are docked in Iceberg Canyon. It is so beautiful there.

And here is the whole clan. We had a great time swimming, tubing, riding the wave runner, playing games - especially the iPod game, doing "Happy/Sad" each night, and just spending time with family. To our gracious hosts: Thank you for inviting us and letting us share this time with you.

2nd Honeymoon

For our third anniversary we went to New York, Maine, and New Hampshire. I guess you could call this little vacation a 2nd honeymoon. We spent about 3 days in New York City’s time square, 3 days in Maine, and 1 night in New Hampshire with Justin's best friend from high school.

While in New York we took a harbor tour and got to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium and so many other cool sights.

Ground Zero

We visited Ground Zero. This is a portion of the mememorial that surrounds the grounds. It contains the names of every victim of that dreadful day. Across the street from Ground Zero is a small firehouse and on the side of the building is a memorial to the heros of that company who gave their lives on 9/11. Being at Ground Zero was such an amazing and humbling experience.

Guggenheim

We got to visit the Guggenheim, the Met, and the Museum of Natural History. We also got to walk around Central Park, saw Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, and went to the top of the Empire State Building. I think visiting the Met was my favorite part of New York - I was within a foot of the masterpeices of Van Gogh, Monet, Frank Lloyd Wright, and many others. (I got a little verklempt.)

Portland Head

Since I love lighthouses I couldn’t go to Maine without visiting as many lighthouses as possible. This is Portland Head lighthouse in Portland where we spent our first night in Maine.

Pemaquid Point

From Portland we drove up to Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Forest where we spent the rest of our time in Maine. On the way to Acadia we stopped at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse near Bristol, Maine. It was also near here that we stopped for lunch and I had the best clam chowder in my life!

The shore line at Pemaquid Point is spectacular! This photo was taken from the shore line up towards the lighthouse.

Bass Harbor Light

Bass Harbor Lighthouse is located on Mount Desert Island. This is a picture of the light as seen from the parking area.

This is a picture of the lighthouse as seen from the rocky shore below. You cannot go inside this lighthouse as the captain of the coastguard and his family live there. I should have joined the coastguard!

Sandy Beach

This is where we finally able to put our feet into the Atlantic Ocean, sort of. It was really much too cold to get in, but we walked along the small beach for a while. And we were able to snap this nice photo.

Hawaiian Honeymoon

For our honeymoon Justin took me to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. We spent half the week in Waikiki and half the week at Turtle Bay in North Shore. This picture was taken on the Halona shore line. While in Hawaii we enjoyed snorkeling at Hanama Bay, hiking Diamond Head Crater, visiting Pearl Harbor, driving to the Pali lookout, pineapple icecream at the Dole plantation, a beautiful sunset at Sunset Beach, luaus and activities at the Polynesian Cultural Center, swimming under Waimea falls, and many other beautiful Hawaiian sights. Aloha!

Polynesian Cultural Center

You go, Boy! While visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center Justin got the opportunity to play the drums with the Tongan’s. He was a natural!

Diamond Head Lighthouse

I love lighthouses and Diamond Head in Hawaii is actually only the second lighthouse I have even seen in person. (Alcatraz was the first.)

Pearl Harbor

This is a picture of us with the anchor of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.

USS Arizona

Visiting Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial was incredible. This was a day that I will never forget. I hope someday I'll be able to return to Pearl Harbor and honor those men again.