December started with Patty and me visiting the Willamette Mission State Park, a bit more than half way to Salem from Portland. It is a beautiful place to hike, in spite of the high waters of the river cutting off direct access to parts of the park.
While direct access to the other half of the park was blocked by the high water, we later discovered that we could access the other half by going outside the park and coming in from the other side.
On another day we went to Marquam Nature Park to hike in the rain.
Winter was approaching and while some days provided beautiful skies, other days produced limited amounts of snow and ice.
In spite of the weather, Mr. Shadow still enjoyed going for walks with me.
Patty and I flew to Honolulu and spent a week exploring the city and surrounding area. We stayed at Surfjack Hotel and Swimclub, and ate several meals at the hotel's restaurant, including our first dinner the day we arrived.
One of the nearby city center shopping malls had large sand sculptures.
We did not rent a car, opting to walk most places and a couple times took the bus or a cab. We walked by this park on the way to Diamond Head
It was only a couple of miles from our hotel to Diamond Head State Park.
Diamond Head is the caldera of a volcano so the nearly circular rim means you go through a tunnel to get into the center and to visit the remains of the old fortifications built to protect Honolulu.
Many uphill trails and stairways to get to the observation posts at the top of the caldera rim.
Once at the top, spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding environs.
That night, back at the hotel we looked out our balcony at the pool below.
Great breakfasts at the hotel.
We of course had to visit Trump Tower.
Another day, we explored Waikiki.
We went on a catamaran cruise.
Another day, we walked the length of Waikiki Beach and came across some more parks.
We eventually reached the light house but it cannot be entered, as the light house keeper's quarters are now the residence of the Coast Guard commander.
More excellent breakfasts at the hotel.
We visited the Bishop Museum.
In Honolulu, instead of bike racks, apartment blocks and condos have surfboard racks.
While direct access to the other half of the park was blocked by the high water, we later discovered that we could access the other half by going outside the park and coming in from the other side.
On another day we went to Marquam Nature Park to hike in the rain.
In spite of the weather, Mr. Shadow still enjoyed going for walks with me.
Patty and I flew to Honolulu and spent a week exploring the city and surrounding area. We stayed at Surfjack Hotel and Swimclub, and ate several meals at the hotel's restaurant, including our first dinner the day we arrived.
One of the nearby city center shopping malls had large sand sculptures.
We did not rent a car, opting to walk most places and a couple times took the bus or a cab. We walked by this park on the way to Diamond Head
It was only a couple of miles from our hotel to Diamond Head State Park.
Diamond Head is the caldera of a volcano so the nearly circular rim means you go through a tunnel to get into the center and to visit the remains of the old fortifications built to protect Honolulu.
Many uphill trails and stairways to get to the observation posts at the top of the caldera rim.
Once at the top, spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding environs.
That night, back at the hotel we looked out our balcony at the pool below.
Great breakfasts at the hotel.
We of course had to visit Trump Tower.
Another day, we explored Waikiki.
Another day, we walked the length of Waikiki Beach and came across some more parks.
We eventually reached the light house but it cannot be entered, as the light house keeper's quarters are now the residence of the Coast Guard commander.
More excellent breakfasts at the hotel.
We visited the Bishop Museum.
In Honolulu, instead of bike racks, apartment blocks and condos have surfboard racks.
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