PHOTOS!

So, remember my suggestion about no photos? Well, in the hazy, early morning of our departure date, I decided to bring my camera connector just in case it would work with other computers, and it turns out it does. So, I'll spare you of too many words today, and supplement with photos. (Note: click on photos for larger versions)

Cliché & Awesome

Headed down to the Botanical Gardens

Akaka Falls - 442 feet! & beautiful!

Mackenzie State Park

Bob!

Just another swimming pond

Local BEER!

These Canopy Trees are everywhere in Hilo!

[See Rachel for size perspective]

Hilo is really great. Good size. Friendly people. Relaxed environment. All around nice. Except, it rains. Quite a bit. Actually, it's the rainiest city in the United States, clocking in about 130 inches a year. I think Austin is about 30 inches per year. So, a little more than I'm used to. Nicely, though, it usually falls at night.
Something else I've learned about is the complex simplicity of the Hawaiian language. The alphabet contains only 12 letters - five vowels (A E I O U) & seven consonants (H K L M N P). This actually makes things pretty complicated because the words must be longer to allow for diversity, yet the letters are frequently repeated which lends itself to lots of similarities, especially to the undiscerning amateur. As we were driving around yesterday, I was trying to get my bearings straight, but as we passed each street, it took me long enough to pronounce it in my head, & didn't leave much time to memorize its location. For example, Ken's Pancake House (where we had breakfast this morning) was located at Kanoelelua and Kalanianaole, after it turned from Kamehameha (see below), just one block East of Kalanikoa. Srsly. But, they had veggie bacon, so I'm not complaining.

Fearless leader of yore

Speaking of bacon, I think I'm officially a non-vegetarian. Rachel and I destroyed a five-piece platter of fish and chips yesterday in Pahoa, and it was dang good. We got the mixed basket, containing Ahi, Ono, & Mahi Mahi, all locally sourced. Don't get excited, Johnny, I still have my vegetarian morals, but I understand that traveling really challenges your comforts. Diet is only one of them. And I think fish is currently my limit. Hey, it was ten years ago this month that I stopped eating meat by choice, so I think I've put in some good time.
Anyway, tomorrow we're venturing south to the coast to stay in a nice cottage on Kehena black sand beach. And apparently on Sunday, they have a massive party on the beach with drum circles, hippies, and other guilty pleasures. So, it should be fun. But, probably means not any more posts for a little while...
However, THANKS for all the positive feedback, everyone, about this web log. It's nice to know you're reading. Take care, and Aloha!