What's So Big About the Big Island?

We generally took it easy spending most of our time exploring the beaches or the roads.  We drove enough miles to circumnavigate the island over three times.  When walking found honua (green sea turtles) to be plentiful.

We attempted to scale (by car of course) Mauna Kea, the tallest volcano on Hawaii at 13,796 ft above sea level (33,500 ft from the mountain's base), on Sunday.  Unfortunately, 70+ mph winds on the summit forced its closure.  As a poor backup, we did some 4-wheelin' up to the observatory on Mauna Loa (the second tallest volcano on Hawaii at 13,676 ft).  It was a virtual moonscape with acre after acre of barren lava flows.  Following several hours of viewing lava flows, we needed some green so we drove to Hilo for an early dinner.  Hilo was a ghost town, probably due to the Super Bowl, but we found a nice "organic" restaurant where we had a healthy meal while watching some interesting locals.  Our drive home via the lush Hamakua coast offered a beautiful contrast to the lava flows earlier.
On Monday, Joni mustered up the courage to attempt some kayaking.  She proved to be plenty strong for rowing a few miles in Kealakekua Bay.  This is the bay where Captain James Cook, the great British explorer, was killed in 1779 and the site of some pretty good snorkeling.  We did not think of getting a picture of us in the kayak until we had returned so settled on a picture of Joni in dry dock.  To prove we really did kayak to the north side of Kealakekua Bay (the only way you can get there is to paddle, sail or swim the 1.5 miles), I have included an up close picture of the monument to Captain Cook raised by British sailors.  The land where the monument sits was granted to the U.K. by the Hawaiian Queen Likelike in 1877 and remains U.K. territory - right here in the 50th state of the U.S.A.

The next several days the winds blew quite hard across the islands raising the surf and making swimming and snorkeling challenging.  We visited a couple of parks (e.g., Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park where Joni added another National Park stamp to her new book)

A state park which protects the ruins of an ancient Hawaiian village (reportedly 600+ years old) on the Kohala coast was another interesting stop.  But we also saw the original statue of King Kamehameha in the northern Kohala town of Kapa'au and the southernmost point in the United States at the very windy southern tip of the Big Island.

And then it was, as they say in the islands, "Here today, gone to Maui!"

Feeling the Aloha!

It has obviously been a loooooooong time since we added to the blog.  Our plan to retire from Mars at the end of 2011 was replaced by a 31 March retirement date.  That meant Mick would continue to commute to the East Coast each week and that Joni's recovery from surgery would be largely unsupported by her mate.  Joni is now four weeks past her surgery and recovering well but still sore and tender.  What better way to complete her recovery than to spend a couple of weeks in the sun of paradise Hawaii.  We had planned this trip as our first trip in retirement and did not alter our plans in spite of extending at Mars or Joni's surgery.

So here we are, spending the first week in the Kona sun on the Big Island.  We are staying in Waikoloa on the Kohala coast.

On day 1 we spent a few hours relaxing at Spencer Beach just up the coast.  Then walked next door to the Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site where after watching a video about Kamehameha conquering the Hawaiian Islands and walking the site, we scored Joni's highlight of the trip - on day 1 no less!  We bought her a super deluxe National Park Service stamp collecting book.  She is soooo excited!  Here she is proudly displaying her new book in front of the Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site sign.  By the way, that rock formation in the background is the heiau.

Hungry, but excited by our find, we left the monument in search of some local fare.  We happened on an "Ocean Fest" local event in Kawaihae Harbor so we took a chance on finding something tasty.  Again, we not only scored big on lunch (poke which is marinated raw fish, fish tacos and fish salad which were all very good) but Joni was able to push some kids out of the way to get a good spot at the "touch tank"!  She handled some sea slugs, several varieties of anenome and other creatures from the local sea.  You can tell that the children in the picture weren't being very good sports about this big kid taking over the touch tank! 

Stay tuned!  Mahalo!

The BIG 50!

This post goes out to my brother in law Steve Ward.  He doesn't do facebook, but when we get together he reminds me about updating my blog.  So since today is his Big 50th birthday, I thought it was only fitting that I give a HUGE Happy Birthday to him. 
Happy Birthday Steve.  Enjoy your 50's....every thing they say about them is true. 

Farewell Mountainview Drive!

As the crocus and daffodils burst from the earth in bloom and the pear trees lining Mountainview Drive exploded in blossom, we were inside imploding our things into boxes to organize for our departure at the end of April. It is times like these that remind me of some of the personal characteristics that stand between us and perfection. For example, we cannot shed the old unimportant for the new important and therefore do not throw much of anything away. We collected all of the empty boxes stored throughout the house and abandoned in the basement and easily filled the truck bed (even after filling the intact boxes with flat corrugate and compressing everything else) for a run to the county recycling center. Upon arrival at the center, Mick was escorted to a special bin reserved only for the high volume contributors - the HOV lane for the recycling center.

Joni posted a number of items on CraigsList.com and sold many of the items she had gathered after our arrival in NJ. A living room couch, 3 office desks, 2 office chairs, a dresser, a 5-piece bedroom set were among the items sold. We even sold the old mud terrain tires from the truck (stored in the basement for the last three years!). Joni is so proud that she either broke even or made money on each of her sales.

Mars arranged for the movers to pack us up and move the house goods to storage for a few months as we sort out our plans. As three men packed things out to a truck, Joni and Jessica Craig (a wonderful young lady from our church here) thoroughly cleaned the house. When everything was out of the house and every corner was cleaned, we walked through the empty house reminiscing and saying good-bye. It was striking how large the empty house seemed.

From this, we move into the Marriott Residence Inn.  We'll keep you posted as the plans develop.

A view into the entry way from the 2nd floor landing

The roller rink (basement).

The master bedroom (part of it)

The kitchen and its queen!

A view of the family room from the 2nd floor landing.

7,000 Miles and well worth it!

The first of April we flew to California, spent the night with the Rosells and then jumped on the I-15 racetrack for the trip to Idaho.  We were bound for a long anticipated event - Graig's graduation from BYU Idaho.  The trip was smooth enough that the cruise control was nearly always engaged, even through Vegas.  We stopped in Provo, UT to have an early dinner with Jamie and David.  Our stop gave a spring storm sufficient time to build up for a dumping of snow to entertain us for the remainder of our drive through UT.  From just outside Provo to Brigham City we drove through a blizzard where the visibility was often measured in feet.  Welcome to springtime on the Wasatch Front!

Friday we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  One that Graig enjoys, then rushed
to graduation where he received his diploma.  It was a proud day for Mama and Papa Ward!

April 8, 2011, big day for the Ward family.  Nicole's mom and sister and children were able to be there along with my parents and also Graig's friend Josh.  What a great evening!

Saturday morning was the commencement exercise in the new BYU-I conference center.  The new building is beautiful and the speakers were excellent.  I loved how they allowed no yelling or calling out and held the applause to the end.  I always get chills when I hear the graduation song.  Congrats Graig!!!

And it wouldn't be a memorable event if we didn't get the Granddad/Graig pose. 

 We had a fun weekend with family and friends playing games, eating, and seeing the "sights" in Rexburg.  On Monday Janelle, Jamie and I helped Nicole in her first grade classroom.  I walked the track with the children and earned 4 coins.  I then read a story to the class - I absolutely love doing that! - and we also helped at stations.  Nicole is a great teacher and you can tell her students love her. 

We left for Provo/Springville after school was out.  We spent the evening with the Harmers and had a great Cafe Rio style dinner at Bob and Karyns.  Tuesday morning we drove back to Brea and Wednesday afternoon flew back to New Jersey.  Now only 2 weeks until we are out of the NJ house. 

Happy Birthday!

When you get to be my age....55....you just don't want birthdays to happen.  But the Frugone's were insistent that we celebrate.  Boy am I glad we did.  Christiano made me this beautiful pen and little notebook. 

Angelo did this mosiac picture.

Gio made me a beautiful flower pot complete with special flowers.

And....due to my kids and one of their movies they enjoy at the moment, Just Friends, I can remind all who enter my home to "Be Yourself".  For some reason they think I am just like the mom in that movie and get a big laugh from it.  Megan found this little cute out and just couldn't resist.  Carlos made the most awesome to die for chocolate cake complete with dove dark chocolate candies. 

So....even if your old.....celebrate......BE YOURSELF......it's fun!!!!

Hurrary for Graig!!!

Big news for the Ward family. Graig graduates from BYU-I on friday, April 8, 2011.

Endless Winter!

It has been a long cold winter for us Jersey Wards. It started snowing later this year, but it has been one storm after another and so bitter cold. It was not unusual to wake up to -12, -9 we even had a -15 one morning. I have to say I am soooooo ready for spring.

Just look how high the snowbank was getting at the end of our driveway. You really get a workout throwing the snow up on top. The snow was so deep this storm I had to bring out the rainboots.

I am so sick of shoveling this driveway. Next house will have less property and a shorter driveway if we ever move to another home in Jersey. I've decided that property is so over rated.

This is my new best friend. I waved him down to clear the driveway after a huge storm that left over 12 inches. Mick had to head out of town, so I waited until the storm had stopped AND the snowplow had come through the neighborhood. I hate it when you get your drive all cleared and the snowplow berms you in. I thought for sure I had him outsmarted this time. My friend came at 10:30pm and got the drive clear. The next morning I went to work and smiled as I drove down the clear driveway with no berming.

I came home from work to find this!!! I am so mad at the snowplow guy. I hate the way he berms me in. I had to park the truck and then walk up to get the shovel. Janelle was at home and so proud that she had spent a good amount of time clearing a way for me. Yep, that might just work Janelle if the truck is 3 feet wide. Can you see the mailbox to see how high the berming is. See the nice cleared driveway on the other side!!!! Why did he feel it was so necessary to plow the road back another 12" closer to the curb. I think it is just to see the hair on the back of my neck stand up!!

But with the snow comes some fun times too. I took the Activity Day boys and girls sledding with the YW and YM. We had such a good time, that on the following saturday the Whitehead family and the Townsend family invited me to go again. This is me sitting on the Pony Express that Dustin Townsend created. It is an old hobby horse that he put skis on. Let me tell you, that pony can GO!!!! I love this ward and how they let an old gal like me hang out with these young moms and families.

But, thank God for spring!

The Big Cheese

The local grocery store had a contest during the holidays. It was to guess the weight of this block of cheese. Hey, I am a sucker for contests and trying to win things. I enter any contest I come across. So when we saw this one, I tried to get everyone to enter to increase our chances of winning. Well only Janelle put in an entry, couldn't get Graig, Nicole, or Jamie to give it a try. Three days later the phone rings early in the morning....caller ID shows ShopRite. Umm, I'm thinking, why is the grocery store calling me?

Well they asked for Joni Ward. That's me I said. We are calling to tell you you have won the cheese contest. What????? Me???? I was so excited. Really????? Yes, they said, come in with your ID to claim your prize. OK, hey how far off was my guess, I asked. You missed it by only 4 pounds they said.

Graig gets up and asks what I was so excited about. I won the cheese contest. Mom, he asks, what are you going to do with all that cheese? Oh I wish I would have won the cheese......I won a $25 gift certificate to Shop Rite. I think I would have rather had the 586 pounds of cheese. Everyone would have had cheese for Christmas.

So when I dragged the kids to claim my prize, and to have them take a photo of me with the cheese, A local shopper gave me a funny look while Jamie was in the middle of the photo shoot. I won the cheese contest I told him. Oh he said, I thought you were from Wisconsin.

Cookie and Ugly Ornament Exchange

In California we do an ugly ornament exchange every year after Christmas. It is so much fun to see the "uglies". So when Megan and I decided to do a "cookie exchange" this year I also suggested an ugly ornament exchange. We laughed so hard and had a great time unwrapping and swapping ornaments. Everyone loved it. The theme of this years uglies was feathers. After our games and ugly exchange it was cookie time.

There were so many good cookies that we had to do the "cookie shuffle" when going around the table. What great fun we had. Can't wait until next year. Hey, I just might have an easter cookie exchange.

If you want to see some additional photos of the night, go to Jamie's blog....A Day in the Life located on the right hand column of my blog.