It was the oil that got to me. The oil still rising from the USS Arizona. The tour guide explained that the reason there were so many sailors on board that morning was because the ship was headed home for the holidays,  and that she was full of fuel. He also said that the oil will continue to rise for another 60+ years.

A little background. My father was at the base and left on the 6th headed to Java, with a stop at Christmas Island. After December 7th, he fought as a tail gunner in the B-17 in the Pacific.

We got to Pearl Harbor around 6:30 in the morning, and stood in line with the hopes of getting our tickets.  We got the last tour at 3:00.   It was worth the wait. A beautiful day, a moving memorial.  And I got to pay my respects by leaving my flowers in the water.

Been playing tourist the last couple of days. Went out to the Dole Plantation to see how pineapples are made.  What a beautiful area.  Such lush grounds and colorful plants.  From bananas, caocoa, macadamia, coffee, etc.  and of course the fresh pineapple.   That night we went to the Tiki Room roof top bar.  We watched a most spectacular sunset in all its glory.  There was a trio playing music, and at one point they played Over the Rainbow for Carrie Fisher.  That to me was really cool.

Yesterday we went out to the Northshore.  On the drive there we saw quite a few rainbows and even double ones.  They were so colorful.  God has certainly been using his big box of crayons lately.  We walked around the beach town of Haleiwa stopping at Matsumotos for their shaved ice.  It did not disappoint.  Going out to the Pipeline was unbelievable! Gorgeous blue water, wave, after wave.  I kept singing Beach Boy songs in my head. My toes were definitely in the water. 

I still can’t believe I am here…..

Two broke kids. That’s what we were, two broke kids. Now I am blessed to be able to travel and experience the new places and new countries.

This year for Christmas we cashed in miles, cashed in points so we could take all 7 of us to Hawaii.  Our gift to the kids.  Suzanne suggested it a year ago as something we should do.  The idea was set in motion.  Took a year of planning and organizing, but we are here.

The first thing we did of course is hit the beach.  I stood there in the water and took it all in. I could not believe my toes were in the Pacific Ocean on Waikiki Beach. I use to watch shows when I was a little girl that were filmed in Hawaii and dreamed that some day, I would get there.  And I finally did.   I smiled as I watched everyone in the water, playing with our granddaughter Charlee. A very special Christmas.

Two broke kids…..with their family.