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, Hawaii, North America.
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.
(more…)Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, North America and tagged christmas in dixie, Georgia, Helen.
Hawaiian Monk Seals and Wai’anae Sunsets – A West Side Story
Hawaii has exceptionally nice weather all year around, so mid-November is as good a time as any to take an evening stroll along the beach. Avoiding the bustling crowds of Waikiki and determined to find a bit of tranquility, Rebecca, Selah and I decided to head to the western side of Oahu. On the westward or Leeward side of the island lies the quaint community of Wai’anae. The area is home to beautiful beaches, various sea-life, and real small-town living. Wai’anae is also a very tight-knit community and it once was home to the legendary singer, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
Rebecca poses for a picture as Selah counts coconuts at the top of a tree in Wai’anae.
The evening turned out even more beautiful than we had imagined. Along the way, I managed to capture some pretty fascinating scenes. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Hawaii, North America and tagged Hawaii, monk seals, Oahu, Wai'anae.
Gutsy Gladiators and Spanish Bulls or the History of Cartagena
Just off the Mediterranean coast, in the Region of Murcia, is the Spanish city of Cartagena. In addition to its natural seaport, the ancient city of Cartagena was strategically important to both Carthage and Rome due its close proximity to rich silver mines during that period of time. From Carthaginians, to Romans, to Moors, the Mediterranean city of Cartagena has a very long and colorful history. Visitors entering the city today will find remnants of that glorious past in the form of murals, mosaics, and Roman ruins. Perhaps the most fascinating of all is the Roman theatre of Cartagena which was only uncovered in recent years.
The Roman Theatre of Cartagena
The Roman Theatre of Cartagena was built between 5 and 1 B.C., at the times of Gaius and Lucius, the grandsons of Caesar Augustus. In the 3rd century A.D., a market was built over the theatre and then a cathedral in the 12th century. It wasn’t until the 1990s that excavations were begun to restore the site to its former glory. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe, Historical Journeys and tagged Cartagena, Spain.
Fantastic Food Trucks and More Scenes from the North Shore
Anybody who has spent more than a few days on Oahu will tell you that some of the best food on the island is found inside food trucks on the North Shore. These colorful restaurants on wheels first began springing up around Honolulu in the 1970s. Back then it was mainly burgers, hotdogs, and the traditional Asian cuisine. Now-a-days, a person can satisfy any cravings whether it be from zesty street tacos to wasabi-flavored poke bowls.
Some of the best food trucks on Oahu are found on the North Shore, directly across the street from Shark’s Cove. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, Hawaii, North America and tagged food trucks, Hawaii, North Shore, Oahu.