The Paumalu Bunker Hiking Trail on Oahu’s North Shore
Most mainlanders with even limited knowledge of the surf scene on Hawaii’s North Shore have heard of the Banzai Pipeline on Sunset Beach. The Banzai Pipeline is a famous surf reef break off Ehukai Beach Park in Pupukea. The pipeline hosts some off the most gnarly surfing competitions in all of North America. With waves reaching as high as 20 feet in the winter months, it is no wonder that surfers and non-surfers alike flock to this sandy shore to see surfing professionals risk life and limb for the glory of the sport.
Since I am by no means a serious surfer, and I did not wish to go to my watery grave on any Pacific Island, I chose to participate in a much-lesser known excursion in the area involving dry land – the Paumalu Bunker Hiking Trail.
The island of Oahu is littered with numerous bunkers and pillboxes which defended her coastlines during WWII. Most of these defensive positions, if not all, have become popular hiking spots on the island.
Posted in Adventure Fitness, Adventurous Places, North America and tagged Banyan trees, Hawaii, North Shore, Oahu, Paumalu Bunker by Big John with comments disabled.
Toddlers with Tantrums Raze the Deadwood Hills
Anybody traveling through the Black Hills in early April is likely to encounter a bit of snow. Throwing two toddlers into the mix, an unexpected blizzard, and the joys (or woes) of parenthood, we ultimately found ourselves needing a vacation from this vacation. Despite the conditions, the Cutler family managed to stake out quite an adventure in the picturesque hills of South Dakota and Wyoming. Our mainstay on this western excursion was the historic town of Deadwood.

In 1874 gold was discovered in the Black Hills. Not long after, one of the largest gold rushes in America sent miners by the thousands pouring into the area to seek out their fortunes and fame. Deadwood, named after the large gulch of fallen trees, became legendary for some of its more flamboyant locals such as Wild Bill Hickok, Poker Alice and Calamity Jane. The town holds special meaning to me as I spent two of the best years of my childhood living there.
(more…)Posted in Adventurous Places, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged Black Hills by Big John with 2 comments.
Hiking Up the Lanikai Pillbox Trail with Precious Cargo
The precious little girl you see pictured below is Selah and, not unlike her daddy, she loves a good adventure. Selah has completed many hikes in the Aloha State, most of which she did while perched high on her daddy’s back. As with most hikes, the Lanikai Pillbox trail being no exception, I like keeping her up high where she can navigate the terrain. Her daddy has a habit of sometimes stumbling off the designated path and getting lost.

The Lanikai Pillbox hike on Kaiwa Ridge is one of the most popular hikes on all of Oahu and well worth the effort despite it being heavily trafficked. This moderate hike, located near the beautiful community of Kailua, is 2.9 kilometers long and offers hikers an abundance of wild flowers and spectacular views. The Lanikai Pillbox hike trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips. Aside for the rare occurrence, the hike is easily accessible 365 days a year.
(more…)Posted in Adventure Fitness, Adventurous Places, North America by Big John with comments disabled.
The Historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel
In all of Oahu, there is perhaps nothing more iconic than the luxurious Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach. Opening its doors on February 1, 1927, the “Pink Palace of the Pacific” has been receiving guests for close to a century now. Patrons of the hotel have included everybody from military personnel on R&R during the Second World War, to glamourous Hollywood stars looking for some Hawaiian fun under the sun. In my eyes, there have been no visitors more noteworthy than my very own daughter, Selah Mattie. She had a ball exploring the hotel’s grand halls and corridors while creating a small bit of mischief along the way. Luckily, that rambunctious two-year-old had her daddy close by to help navigate her path.


The iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel is one of the most recognizable man-made features on Oahu.
(more…)Posted in Adventurous Places, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged Hawaii, Oahu, pink hotel, Pink Palace of the Pacific, Royal Hawaiian hotel, Waikiki by Big John with comments disabled.
Selah Lou Who goes to Helen for Christmas
For Selah’s very first Christmas in the continental United States, we decided to leave the continent and fly to Bavaria, Germany… well no, not really, but she’s not even two-years-old so we took her to Georgia instead. She didn’t know the difference.
Alpine Helen, Georgia only has a population of around 430 residents, yet it is the state’s third most visited city. If you visit this charming little town, you will see why it so good at packing a crowd. Helen is a recreated Bavarian Alpine village with the Chattahoochee River flowing gently through its center. Helen first began as a home to the Cherokee Indians before European settlers eventually arrived for the gold and the timber. When Selah Lou Who came to town, she was simply there to see Christmas.


Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, North America and tagged christmas in dixie, Georgia, Helen by Big John with comments disabled.