Are We There Yet

BFF

106 degrees in El Paso

Our travels have taken us to so many places this past week. We spent four days in Texas and time flew by so fast. One day we arrived, the next we were off to San Antonio. We arrived in Las Cruces NM today, just four hours away from our new home. I suggested we just keep driving, but Rene was ready for a night cap. On our way, I sadly dropped off Larissa with our friends from San Antonio. Larissa and Rikki met back in 2003 when we moved to San Antonio. They have stayed in touch ever since. The Gutierrez family asked if Larissa could stay and they would drive her to Tucson. Larissa loves spending time with Rikki and her other friends from San Antonio. These girls bonded so well since the first day they met. Larissa has always felt like part of the family. I already miss her, but know she is good hands and having fun.

Today's drive through the hill country was nice. Tomorrow we arrive in Tucson, and move into our home July 1st.

The Bay

The San Francisco Streets are very steep.


The Cable car ride to Union Square


Walking up to Lombard Street was quite the workout.

Lombard Steet

All the main action is on Fisherman's Warf. Our hotel was in the heart of this area.

Gharadelli Square, we bought so much chocolate here.

Entertainers line the streets in hopes of earning some cash.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz

I was facsinated by this place. Having worked in a Penetentiary helps to put things into perspective.

Cell Block B

Our vacation in San Francisco has come to an end. One more night in the windy city, and we are off tomorrow to Texas. Overall, we have had great weather, but it has been a bit cool. As we stepped off our taxi Saturday, I admit I was a bit freaked out with all the people walking the bay. It took us a while to get comfortable seeing the homeless and mentally unstable walking the streets. Actually it was a bit of a culture shock and we quickly made it into our hotel room feeling a little unprepared for this change. The next day as we headed to the sites, we began to feel a bit more at ease. We were in aw with what is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, let alone the city. The Golden Gate Bridge is stunning. We took a bay cruise and captured some great shots of the bridge. Lombard Street which is known as the crookedest street in the world is a must drive for visitors. It was interesting to watch all the cars driving down. Larissa and I enjoyed the cable cars. Every landmark has a story behind it. Our final day was spent on Alcatraz, once a prison for the most dangerous of criminals. The music, wine, food, and landmarks line the streets of San Francisco. San Francisco surely offers plenty to see and do, but we are ready to get home. Our waistlines have expanded, and our hotel room is getting a little crowded. Fortunately, Rene and I have taken advantage of our stunning environments and have kept up with our running. We are excited to get home and eager to get to Arizona and get settled. For those who have Facebook, more pictures are posted on my profile page. Hope you have enjoyed our pictures and travels home.

Surfing Fun

The group started off with ground lessons and techniques.

Off he goes as I stand praying the Hail Mary.

Pictures taken by his instructor.

Our last day was spent on the beach for some surfing fun. The only person brave enough was of course Renie. This boy loves the water and everything it brings with it. Renie enjoyed his day as he hit the waves with surfing instructors. I prayed and sat quietly on the beach as he spent his afternoon surfing the waves of Hawaii. This boy is all Ramos. He begged us to let him take surfing lessons. I remember being a kid his age as we headed out to scuba dive in Acapulco. My parents were pretty much open to anything we wanted to do when it came to water sports knowing we were good swimmers, thanks to my dad. As a young boy, my dad spent many hours teaching Larissa and Renie the fundamentals of a good swimmer. He had taught so many youngsters how to swim. Renie is an excellent swimmer, so with that in mind I felt he would return back safely. He managed to avoid any injuries aside from one small scratch on his foot. He described it as an awesome experience. I told him, "Renie, just have fun, and ask for help if you need it." He did great.

Valor

In respect, the names of the men who died were cropped out.


Top of part of the ship.



The oil still rising today.

The memorial

We have approached our last day here in Hawaii. Tomorrow we are up very early to catch our flight to San Francisco for some sightseeing. Yesterday we spent the day at Pearl Harbor. We purposely left this tour for the end of the week. It was a difficult place to visit. The USS Arizona is the final resting place for 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives on Dec 7, 1941. Ever since Renie was a little boy, he was mesmerized with this place from movies and books he had read. I always said one day we will take you there. As a teenager, he was just as mesmerized. The memorial is in honor of those who died and were never recovered. The ship was so dismantled, divers could not recover these men. The national monument is a reminder of the burdens borne by some on the wartime home front. God bless these men and women who today fight an entirely different kind of war.

Nineteen Wonderful Years

The 42-acre Polynesian Cultural Center brings to life the traditions, history, and hospitality of six Pacific cultures.



Taking the pig out of the ground for the Luau



Our Luau entertainment, what a wonderful meal and show.




Happy Anniversary Hun!

The Anniversary Couples Dance, what a special day.

Learning how to Hula in the Tahiti Village, so funny!

Today we spent our 19th wedding Anniversary here in Hawaii. How blessed are we to be in Hawaii on this special day. We enjoyed the day with our friends at the Polynesian Cultural Center where we also took advantage of the Luau. Word of mouth from the other tourist was that this was the best show and Luau on the island. From start the finish, I would have to agree, that the show and center activities were the best. We had so much fun with our tour guide, visiting the different villages, dancing, and all the entertainment and food buffets. What a special day. Nineteen years ago today, I married the best guy in the world. I pray that Rene and I spend many more wonderful years together. We do have up and downs as does every marriage, but at the end of the day we do love each other so much and are blessed to have such a wonderful family. May we be blessed with many more years of happiness.

Familiarity

We returned back to our favorite spot for pictures


The shops are full of daily entertainers. These kids were so talented.

Jimmy Buffet's shop

Streets of shops line Waikiki. The Hale Koa is a prime location and sits next to the Hilton Village Resort and many many shops and places to eat. The streets are filled with Japanese shoppers and serves as a constant reminder of what we just left. It is fun to surprise the Japanese people with what little language I picked up in Japan. We spent the day shopping, and eating some of our favorite foods such as PF Changs, etc... The crowds are heavy, but no one seems to be buying anything. The retail workers seem eager to help and talk us in to making a purchase. Nevertheless, we continue to enjoy perfect weather and the tropical atmosphere. We are looking forward to our day tomorrow at the Polynesian Cultural Center and Luau.

Le'ahi

My Snorkeling Buddy




Starting our Diamond Head Hike






Half way to the top




My BFF

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

The Bay

The smell of the orchids, flowers and fresh beach water surrounded our day. We started with breakfast by the beach followed by a 9:00 a.m. climb up Diamond Head. The trail to the summit of Le ahi was built in 1908 as part of the U.S. Army Coastal Artillery Ruger. The hike took roughly one hour. It was an easy fun hike involving steep terrain. The kids really enjoyed making it to the top. It was hot, but bearable. After the hike we spent the afternoon at beautiful Hanauma Bay. The snorkeling was absolutely wonderful with the live coral reef within touch. The big fish were an awesome site. I could have spent the whole day here. After Thailand, I have really come to enjoy snorkeling and appreciating the creations we sometimes take for granted.

Another Day in Paradise

The sand feels cool and relaxing on my feet.


This nice man gave the girls two free beautiful orchid lei's.


Sunset

The girls having fun on the beach at sunset.

Larissa's clam had a pearl which symbolized happiness and prosperity.

A pineapple

The Dole Pineapple Plantation where we enjoyed some fresh pineapple of course delicious ice cream.

Today was day two in paradise. Rene and I started our morning with a 4 mile run down the beach. The Galvan family made it in safely and we quickly began planning our days over a great IHOP breakfast. Oh, how we missed IHOP. The weather here has been perfect. We decided to spend the day sightseeing by visiting North Shore and the Dole Pineapple Plantation. The girls enjoyed all the ice cream, train ride, and picking pearls from live clams. The beach was perfect as we sat by the water and enjoyed some great entertainment, and Pina Coladas. Just another day in paradise. Tomorrow we will hike Diamond Head then head to Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling fun.