Waimea Bay- Surfers Paradise

The North shore of Oahu gets huge waves in the winter months. This year they measured waves as high as 50ft. That's the back side of the wave, the front is usually twice as high!

Many days during the winter the beaches are closed to swimmers, but surfers are always welcome.

Waimea Bay is probably the most popular surfing beach on Oahu; So a must visit for visitors. 

We took Maggie and Bill here in January and Gabby & Brian here in February.

I have a new respect for the ocean waves after seeing so much hazardous surf this winter!

There weren't many surfers but I caught one wiping out :( 

The ocean is amazingly powerful, I wish pictures could describe it to you.

Can't wait to take more friends to the North Shore to see God's beauty!

Return to Kualoa Ranch Oahu

I returned to Kualoa Ranch on the Windward side of Oahu with Gabby and Brian in February.

The ranch has so much to offer guests.

We decided to do some horseback riding. 

 We decided on the hour ride, which was really about 45 minutes. 

Maybe next time we'll go for the 2 hour ride!

The views were spectacular and the tour guides really great.

So much fun!

We had a windy picnic lunch at Waimanalo Beach Park 

Then we walked the Makapuu Lighthouse trail.

Gabby was convinced that I lied about the length and elevation of the climb- but we got there!

Brian was a little freaked by the wind at the top, but he didn't blow away!

Rain moving inland

This is worth the climb!

If you want to see more pictures of this hike check out my earlier blog post.

Makapuu Lighthouse trail 

One of the coolest scenic lookouts is at Halona Blowhole.

To see more pictures at the Blowhole check out this earlier blog post. 

Blowhole

USS Missouri

In November, Ken and I toured the USS Missouri, the battleship most famous for hosting the signing of the document ending WW2.

It was a really fascinating tour, I learned so much.

Signatures on the document of surrender

Place of the signing on deck 

The retired ship is located in Pearl Harbor.

 On March 31, 1992, the Missouri was decommissioned for the final time; the last active service battleship in the world, her departing officers and crew the last battleship sailors. 

The placement of the ship is symbolic as it watches over the Arizona Memorial in Pearl harbor, 

These two ships represent the beginning and end of US involvement in WW2.

The guns stay ready to protect the fallen of the Arizona.

Equally fascinating as the signing was the story of a kamikaze plane 

which hit the ship during the war.

Photograph capturing the plane hitting the ship.

A proper burial at sea requires a flag, 

so seamen stayed up all night sewing a Japanese flag to bury the pilot with.

Seamen giving the pilot a proper burial.

There were pictures and letters from kamikaze pilots, they were so young!

Pictures from around the ship

If you ever get to Pearl Harbor, touring the Missouri is definitely worth the trip.