Hawaiian Vacation: Day 2

Day 2 we were up bright and early and ready to hit the beach.  And on our way to the car I nearly tripped over this puppy:

Yowser that thing was huge!

Before we left my sister in-law had given us 3 pages (typed!) of recommendations for beaches, hikes, restaurants and general directions. Taking it as an opportunity to not have to plan myself, we just took a few things from her list each day and tried them out (thanks Heidi!).  After eating at McDonald's (lame I know, but we had no food and were in the ghetto that is Wahiawa) for breakfast we headed to Waimea Beach.  When we arrived there was only a bunch of fisherman and an older couple we met from San Fran.  By the time we left that beach was jam packed and there wasn't a place to park! So we made a mental note to be at the beaches early each day to get a good parking spot and a good beach spot.

Waimea was gorgeous and even though we didn't have any snorkel gear we saw some turtles swimming right up near the shore.  We relaxed in the sand, swam a few times, and ate at the little food truck there.  Nachos with blue cheese crumbles?  Fancy!
A picture of the hot car for fun.

Next we headed across the street to the Waimea Valley botanical garden.  We were not prepared for the price ($30 for the two of us?  Ouch!) but it was beautiful and there were some really cool flowers and plants.  Now be prepared for eight million pictures of said flowers and plants.

We hiked to the falls (only about 1 mile and on an easy peasy trail), swam in the water, and looked at the ancient Hawaiian artifacts.

 That's my hubby up there!  And below is the coolest tree I've ever seen.

 And this tree, which I call Lord Voldemort's finger.  Not sure what it actually is. 

  It was such a beautiful drive all around the island.

On the way home we stopped at the Dole Plantation.  Had some yummy pineapple ice cream, looked at the beautiful gardens, fed some fish, posed in lame cutouts--you know, the touristy stuff. 

Every day around this same time we would be so exhausted we were ready for bed (late afternoon it was like 10 PM to us).  But we pressed on. We stopped on the way home to pick up food for breakfast for the remainder of our trip (since we had a full kitchen at the condo) and then went to dinner in Mililani.  Went home and relaxed before an early bedtime (again!).  

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On a side note I wanted to give a shout out to our friends Tim and Laura.  They are our old next door neighbors (and friends) and while we were gone it was the 2 year Angelversary of the passing of their daughter Mikayla.  Just wanted them to know we were thinking about them that day in Hawaii, we will never forget her, and love you!