Hawaii Rocks!

I know it may come as a surprise, but we are having a great time in Hawaii! It has rained (poured!) off and on since we got hear, but that's no big deal. We brought ponchos and they have worked out great.

On Monday we went whale watching. What an amazing experience. We saw so many whales we lost count! We were barely out the harbor and one came almost completely out of the water, making a huge splash not far from the boat. Even on the way back in we had one about 50 yards from the boat and about five or six taking turns popping their heads up out the water like a whack-a-mole game. They had a great buffet lunch on board.

Afterward we drove up to Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay, and watched the surfers in the big waves and in the pipeline. It was very cool to see some really young surfers shooting the curls. It was fun to watch. We went to Roy's for dinner, an upscale restaurant here at the resort.

Tuesday was kind of a patriotic memorial day. We started at Pearl Harbor and toured the Arizona Memorial first (I was surprised to see how old the ship was). I've always wanted to see it. I love history, and being an AZ native it has always been a dream to visit. It was a solemn experience, more powerful than I can describe.

We went to lunch, then toured the USS Missouri. The battleship was finally decommissioned in 1992. We saw the marker where Japan surrendered. The ship even served in Operation Desert Storm. It was interesting to see the 15" guns and Tomahawk missiles on the same ship!

We finished the tour at the Punch Bowl which is a military cemetery in a crater overlooking Honolulu. It was powerful to see the memorial to the missing (over 28,000), and the graves of so many who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom!

The day ended with a BBQ with nearly all the staff and trustees who are hear for the conference. We had a blast! We were so tired, but stayed up until 10:30 talking with John and Jillayne. If you don't know them, you should take the time to! We have had a blast spending time together.

Paige and I slept in this morning (until 7) and today's plan is to rest, hang out at the beach, and enjoy the opening night of the conference. I can't wait!