Here are a couple pics from Southern California last week. We had such fun visiting with Ruth and Pat - they spent Spring Break in Laguna Hills, and we spent half of it with them. The beach was beautiful, but a lot colder than we were used to in Hawaii. Funny how a person acclimates to warm weather so easily. Corey drove down from LA and joined us at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna for lunch, which is not where we stayed (duh) but they were nice to us anyway. Ruth is as smart and beautiful as ever, and it was her 91st birthday! We also visited with Charlie and Marilyn Dashe in San Diego, and went to the Annie Liebowitz exhibit that was fabulous.

Pat, Corey, Jack and Ruth. And, Nancy, Jack, Pat and Ruth at the bottom.

Volvemos a casa a New México.

About as different a landscape from Hawaii as can be imagined. Here are a few pictures, the second and third are the church at Laguna Pueblo, east of Grants, NM. The caretaker there was happy to show us around and tell us the history of the church. The church is greatly loved and cared-for, and is worth the short detour off I-40.

A few street scenes in Hilo, one of our favorite towns in Hawaii. We have visited many times, and find the tales of constant rain to be greatly exaggerated.

Our best meal was at a small Thai restaurant, Royal Siam on Mamo street. We sat next to Bill Engvall and his wife, according to Nancy; I didn't notice.

Best place to stay in Hilo, and there aren't many, is Arnott's. Accomodations range from hostel-style dorms, or tenting in the yard, for that matter, to nice private rooms with shared kitchen. Number 7 is the best! Stays are limited to 7 days, though, so be ready to move on.

In each picture, a turtle.

Hearing that the root of turmeric confers many health benefits, Jack munches on a bit of root he got at this morning's farmers' market. He then learns that the root stains one's mouth, including teeth, a bright yellow. Jack's new nickname is "muskrat tooth"

the flowers and fruit on this tree grow out of the trunk and branches, like on a cacao. The fruit inside is a tarry pulp with an industrial scent.

A little church, right on the Kona coast. Next to it is the foundation of an ancient heiau, that is, a chapel/altar to an ancient god.

A cacao tree, with ornamental pineapple in the foregound.

Nancy gets creative with light and shadows atop Mauna Kea. Mauna Loa is in the distance

Kailua street scene

King's Kailua palace

This banyan tree almost surrounds an old house

A few random images

First, what is inside a cocoa pod

And, a few views from Mauna Kea

A few pictures from our visit to a Hilo botanical garden.

Orchid in the forest near lava trees park.


















lava tree. these were created when lava flowed through a forest, surrounding and solidifying around the trees. the remaining lava moved on, leaving these monuments to the trees that once lived there.



lava swirl, in the 1991 Puna area lava flow.















This 1991 lava flow is already breaking up and providing a foothold for coconuts that the locals have planted.


The Painted Church.

downtown Hilo, in the rain.

A few fruits from the Islands. how many can you recognize?