Retirement! Here We Come. (Well, Don is back to work)
by Vicky Showalter

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Two Weeks in Hawaii

Colorado Springs was the launching spot for our two weeks on the big island of Hawaii. While in COS my birthday was celebrated with my two besties, Anne and Nancy with lunch at Nancy's house.
We flew from Colorado Springs to Denver and then to Kona on the big island on Thursday, February 25. We stayed two nights at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, Waikoloa Beach.

KING'S LAND, Waikoloa Beach

 Saturday we checked into our condo for the week - King's Land at Waikoloa Beach.  Sunday we headed over to the Hilton Grand Vacation Resort which is affiliated with King's Land.  

Bottom end condo

Swinging bridge over a pool



the lagoon near the grand entrance

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Monday we took off across the island on a two hour trek to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  Our intent was to take the three mile hike down and across the Kilauea Iki crater, but the rainy weather changed that.  After stopping at the Kilauea Visitor Center we decided to drive the Crater Rim Road to the 19 mile Chain of Craters Road to the beach.  Then reverse and drive the upper Crater Rim Road to the massive Kilauea Caldera.  

Wild billy goats

massive field of lava rocks

lava flows down to the beach

a fern growing on the lava rock


A nene goose waiting by our car

 
Holei Sea Arch

It was very WINDY!


Tough walking this trail to the petroclyhs

Cairns to lead the way


 


 

Lava Tube

Kileaua Iki Crater



Steam vent

Kileaua Caldera with craters inside

A Day at Mauna Kea Beach


Two Days at Hapuna Beach





 




Back at the pool


 Second Week - Kona Coast by Wyndham
 

The second week we moved south to the Kona Coast resort.  



 



 Supper out at the Fish Hopper.


 




 
Beach Day




Another Beach Day





And another Beach Day - Kahalu'u Beach Park





 Back to the Fish Hopper on our last night and to celebrate my 69th birthday before flying home.



Good bye Hawaii.  Until next time



Second Covid vaccines when we got back to Iowa