I'm quite late in posting about the eight days we spent on the Big Island in early September with Ashley, Bryce and Ezra who had just turned one!
The three Hales drove up Saturday morning, August 30, and John and Sally met at our house to say goodbye and take charge of Francis for the week. PrimeTime shuttle was waiting to take the five of us to LAX for the 1:00 pm flight on Delta. Conversations en route were limited as the driver kept the front windows open during the hour drive even though I asked about the a/c. Oh, well.
Thankfully, the flight wasn't full, so Ezra was able to sit between Ashley and Bryce in his car seat rather than having to be held the entire five hours. We arrived around 3:30 in the afternoon, and while Bryce and Ashley grabbed our bags, I headed off to grab our rental SUV (big enought for the five of us and our bags and stroller). It was then about a 45 minute drive to the Waikoloa area to get to our condo; a two bedroom, two bath, second floor unit with a full kitchen and a nice covered deck.
Here is view of the pool area at the condo.
This is the view from our deck.
On Sunday, we made it to church (Lutheran) where we practically doubled the congregation and Ezra (with Ashley) was the only child to go forward for the children story. Afterwards we headed home and before long we headed out to explore some of the beaches within an easy drive from the condo. This was a pattern that was typical except the necessary times for naps - Ezra and me.
We often ate at home with steaks grilled by Bryce, or pizzas ordered in, but we made it out to several dinners including one at the Hilton on the patio while the sun set and the staff lit tiki torches. And Carolyn and I had one romantic dinner on our own as did Ashley and Bryce while Ezra kept us company.
About mid-week, we traded the beach for the Hilton's huge pool complete with wading area, waterfall and water slide. The pool was uncrowded as most people with school age kids were at home for back to school events. We all enjoyed the water slide and convenience of lunch and drinks delivered to our lounge chairs or wandering over to view the dolphins that you could swim with for a fee.
Late in the week we took a long drive over to Hilo and enjoyed the greenery of the eastern side, a picnic and several waterfalls.
It was a great week and I got to really interact with Ezra. He even called my "Papa"!!