Aloha...wanna see inside a volcano crater?

  We piled our gang up for an excursion up Diamondhead one weekend recently.  It's the large, extinct or dormant volcano at the end of Waikiki.  We'd heard that during summer it's not only crowded but also quite a hot hike.  So the "winter season's" cooler temps and blowing tradewinds made the day just right for going up the crater and checking out the view of Honolulu and the ocean below. 

Here's a great view inside the crater with suburbs of Honolulu beyond.

These stairs and passages lead to a military "pillbox" which was a lookout during WWII.

Up a winding staircase...

Still climbing...here's my beautiful friend Michelle...

Hannah, our visiting nanny, and I.

Right behind us there were two whales out in the ocean that we observed surfacing for quite a while.  Notice the curvature of the earth...isn't that cool?

On the way down I enjoyed checking out some more of Hawaii's unusual flora...I didn't research so I could share the name of this tree with you.  But, any experts can comment and let me know.  I call it Seussian.  I am convinced that Dr. Seuss must have spent time in Hawaii gleaning inspiration for his illustrations.  Don't these ball thingies look like they belong in Who-ville?

Baby C...with improvised head-dress for sun protection.  A little sahib? 

Suza...obviously B.S. (before scissors)

Topping off our picnic lunch with a good old-fashioned tree climb.

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Posted by 4sweetums

What a breathtaking view. I'm not sure I would have survived the winding staircase though. My dh's mother was raised in the military and spent her high school years near there so my dh loves the pics.
Blessings,
Dawn

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Posted by Juldos

It's been too long since I've visited your wonderful blog. I am reminded of our five years in Maryland seeing military families up close for the first time. We made friends with several Navy homeschooling families and were so impressed with how they lived life to the fullest for their three year assignment. We learned so much from them and were so blessed by their friendships.
I love seeing Hawaii through your blog and look forward to visiting there someday with my sweetie. : )
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Julie D.

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Posted by EEEEMommy

Wow! I would so much like to do something like that than go to DisneyWorld. (Not that we're going to Disney, but if I had the choice...) :)
The picture which shows the curvature of the earth is marvelous! And I agree, the trees are very Seussical. :)
What a great adventure! It's always fun to explore those kinds of places in the "off"-season. :)
Thanks for your sweet encouragement, friend! :)

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Posted by Anonymous

I just love revisiting Hawaii through your life and blog. Thanks for sharing your island with us land lubbers.

Angela
the-potters-hand.blogspot.com

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