HAWAII - PART 3 - MAUI..................................

Sunday our port of call was Maui - the second largest island, also known as the "MAGIC ISLE".  Our port was Lahaina.

No bus trips today, as there was so much to see and do.  Perfect weather.  Every time I called home, it was the same - how's your weather back there - cold, snow, more snow, colder and more snow.  I would laugh, it is 80 degrees, sunny and beautiful here.  I don't miss home a bit. 

We spent most of the day walking as there was so very much to see and do.  Never enough time, but we made
the most of what we had.

Our "water taxi"



This was our water taxi from the ship to the shore.  The water was a little rough that day, in fact pretty rough, but we were o.k.

From the shore we had a great view our our cruise ship, the scenery was pretty awesome.

We saw old fort ruins, many historical buildings, vegetation as we had never seen before, and we really did get our exercise that day.

We saw the outdoor restaurant with the pink umbrellas.  And I do mean pink.



Our home away from home

 Palm trees were everywhere, making such a beautiful picture against the blue sky.


There were many areas of sandy beaches, some small, some larger, and you could usually see chunks of lava that had washed upon the beaches.  You would not want to step on them bare-foot.

We saw many "wooden hawaiians" 

Ruins of an old fort

 here and there along the sidewalks outside of restaurants, and other buildings.  I guess they compare with our southwestern "wooden indians".  That evening we attended the DRUMS OF THE PACIFIC LUAU consisting of traditional roast pig and exotic drinks.  This was served at the sunset terrace, and it was an authentic IMU ceremony.


Pink Umbrella Restaurant

 For the first time I tasted poi - never again.  It really tasted bad, was a purply-lavender color, thick like a pudding, supposedly very very healthy, but tasted like it would do away with you.

They had the MOST DELICIOUS hot rolls with the buffet, and they were the most beautiful pale lavender color.  I found out later that poi had been added to the dough.

Palm trees and sky



Lava on the beach

.  And I had already sworn to never eat poi again.  So much for that. 

The evening ended with the traditional Polynesian dances, and the view from the terrace was breath-taking towards sunset.  It looks like the picture of a painting, but was in reality very real.  Those are the colors of Hawaii.



One of the wooden Hawaiians - I loved Mai Tai's!!!




One of the luau dancers




the view from the luau

 Upon being returned to the dock, we boarded our water taxi and returned to the ship, full of great food, beautiful memories, and looking forward to the next day, which would be Monday.

I knew tonight would be filled with visions of all we had seen that day winding their way through our minds, lulling us to sleep.

Tomorrow would be another adventure.  I wonder what we will see and do.  And so I leave you today, maybe wishing you could have been with us.  Perhaps some day, who knows.  Enjoy the trip and God Bless.

THE ROAD CALLED -- "LIFE".......................

          Life is a journey.  The journey is along the road called Life.

          We travel many roads in our life-time - rural routes, township roads, country roads, county roads, city streets, avenues, parkways, boulevards, state routes, interstate, just to name a few.  But we never, ever, get to travel all the roads. 
          The road called Life is different.  It is a road we begin upon our birth, and the destination is our death, where-upon our next journey begins.

          My journey has been years.  The destination is getting closer, but I am still going.  During my journey I have walked with many many other walkers, some family, some friends, some just acquaintances mostly strangers, sometimes pulling ahead, sometimes falling behind.

          I have one group that I have been traveling with called my "FESTIVAL FAMILY".  They are the friends I have found myself walking with during my journey, friends that maybe I only see once or twice, maybe three or four, times a year, as we are constantly taking different detours on our journey.  Some I see regularly, doing other fun things with besides the festivals, some I only see at festivals, or on special occasions.  Some I no longer see, and wonder, - "have they reached their destination, or are they still traveling, maybe ahead of me, maybe behind?"

          One of these friends is Judy Hopson.  We met many years ago at a festival.  She is a potter, beautiful creations made from clay.  She is very active in the art world, always has time to take children of all ages under her wing, letting them "throw the clay" on her potting wheel, showing them how to spin and shape the clay.  She will fire their piece of pottery, and they have a reminder of the wonders of that day.

          Judy lives in Washington, Pa.  We have done festivals together, I have some of her pottery.  She and her companion Bill bought my old tent.  I was going to quit outside shows, it is a real nuisance putting up and taking down a tent, but somehow came up with a new tent, so am still doing outside.  Bill told me a year ago, that the old tent had finally given up the ghost and they had bought a new one.

          I didn't see Judy and Bill at the Covered Bridge Festival in September at Mingo Park, Washington County, Pa., last year.  I wondered - they are usually there.

          Sometime later I received a phone call from another festival acquaintance.  She wanted me to know Judy had been diagnosed with, easy explanation, a malignant tumor on her brain. 

          I learned yesterday that her journey along the road named Life is coming to an end, the destination is in sight. 

          I feel a great sadness when I receive that type of news.  A friend, with great talent, is about ready to embark upon her new journey, along a new road called "Here-After". 

          And I wonder - where does the new road lead, how long a journey will that be, and will I, when my time arrives, be walking along-side others that have reach their journey's end.

          I am sharing two pictures here, one of Judy and one of her pottery, courtesy of her web-site.  

 
I would like to think that on her new road she will still be taking time with the children, letting them feel the wet clay, the shaping, the forming, the firing, and the finishing.  After all, that seems to have been her life's work on the road of Life. 

If you have time, please say a prayer for her and her family, and God Bless.

HAWAII - PART 2 - THE BIG ISLAND..........



The fire-boat welcome

 Our first day on Hawaii, was Hawaii - the Big Island.  Our port of call was Hilo, Hawaii's largest small town.    We were welcomed by a fire-boat circling our cruise ship, water, and rainbows, telling us hello.  Look closely - see the rainbow?

We had a bus tour of that part of Hawaii, complete with picnic lunch.
At the campsite where we lunched there was a Hawaiian family camping.  Vicki and Brenda had their picture taken at the base of one of Hawaii's majestic trees.

Picnic lunch - bus driver and tour guide





Hawaiian Grandmother at campsite














We visited Volcanoes National park, walked on the lava beds, hiked through the Thurston Lava Tube, walked on the ground that actually had the molten lava deep underground, watching the steam rising through many crevices. 


Brenda, Vicki, and tree



At the volcano



On the lava bed




The lava was very very sharp.  No open toed shoes


The lava tube is formed when  the molten lava cools, and the condensation dissipates, leaving hollow tunnel-like tubes.  As we walked through the tube, we could see the roots of the trees, which were growing on top of the tube, that had worked their way through the rock, and were hanging down over our heads. 

Entering the lava tube

Hilo had at one time been a cane field town, but was destroyed by the tsunami of 1960.  It has since been rebuilt further in-land, and many of the buildings are on stilts.

All of the Hawaiian Islands are basically hardened lava.  There was very little natural vegetation, animal or bird life.  Almost everything on Hawaii has been brought in by the original Polynesians who first landed on the islands.  All of the "soil" is actually  mulch, formed from the natural materials landing and becoming the soil.

I guess you are wondering how I kept my pictures straight, which were Saturday, which Sunday etc.  Well, you could say I cheated.  Each morning I photographed the mat in the elevator telling me which day it was.  Then I knew all the pictures I took that day were where we were that day, if you can sort that all out.  So far our trip is all we wanted and more.  I learned so much in the five days on the islands, things you never learn in school, about the history, the settling, life in general. 

Unless something really exciting happens between now and tomorrow, I will share Sunday, day 2, on the islands with you.  I hope you enjoy your thumbnail tour of Hawaii, and God Bless.

 HAWAII - PART ONE - THE HOLLAND AMERICAN CRUISE SHIP ZAANDAM.........

          We boarded the Zaandam late Monday morning, we were to sail around 5 p.m. in the afternoon.  Found our state room, unpacked, put stuff away, got organized, then went exploring so we would know where to go when we were supposed to go, and not get hopelessly lost.

          Upon returning to our stateroom, it was hot.  Air conditioning was not working. Called front desk.  Maintenance man arrived, fixed air.  Good. 

          The 5 days we were cruising to Hawaii, sleeping arrangement didn't work (there were 4 of us in the cabin, none of us are young).  They expected one of us to climb a ladder to an overhead bunk.  Ha ha ha!!  Called the front desk.  Room steward arrived and rearranged our sleeping arrangement so we all had a place to sleep, without climbing the ladder.

          Front desk called back to see if everything was o.k.  Received complimentary plate of cookies and fruit as a peace-offering.  Tasted good.

          Third day water got a little rough, nothing major, just that you could feel it.  No big deal.

          Fourth day, water really rough.  Had to hold on to stuff to stay upright.  Chased our food around on the table.  A lot of the passengers began to complain, but we just laughed.  It was an adventure.  We love adventures, and it takes a lot more than rough water, sleeping arrangements, and no ac to keep us from having fun.

          At the end of this blog, will share pictures with you of shipboard activities, from a look at the ship, the chocolate extravaganza, lounging at the pool, and water water everywhere.

          In addition to the lounging, we attended the nightly performances in the theater, saw a couple of movies, played the slot machines, I learned how to play roulette, walked the ship, ate, ate, ate, and ate some more - there was food available 24 hours a day.  We only attended the formal dining room for supper each evening, rest of the time we at at the buffet whenever we felt hungry, which seemed to be all the time.

          Finally Friday evening.  We would be docking early Saturday morning on Hawaii, the Big Island, at the port of Hilo.  We could hardly wait.  None of us had ever been there before, we were like little kids, waiting for Christmas morning.  Now for the pictures:

I figured out how to put captions with my pics.  only took, what, 2 months.  The seating areas were near the elevators.  The pipe organ,  was 4 decks tall.  At noon every day the pipe organ would give a 15 minute concert.


Seating area near elevators

 There is one of our towel critters we had

on our beds every night created by the room

steward. Also a picture of one of the tables on

the Lido Deck, where the buffet was served.

There is the chocolate extravaganza and 
 the flowers carved from veggies.  there is a
 picture of the four of us in the dining room one
night and  three of them getting their daily
exercise on the pool deck.  Since I was taking the picture I guess I am the ONLY one getting any exercise.


Towel Critter

Also a picture of our view from the deck
 every day, water, water, and more water.  But
beautiful to see.  We did see dolphins a couple
times, but they were too far away to get good
pictures.  But it was exciting to see them

Friday night before docking there was water
 dripping from the ceiling of our stateroom near the
door.  Called the front desk.  Maintenance man
appeared, condensation from the ac was not going
 where it was supposed to and was dripping on our
floor.  Got fixed.  Phone call asking if it was all right.
 Plate of cookies and fresh fruit to nibble on.  

Pipe Organ


Wonder what else we can break to keep the cookies
 and fruit coming.  Will have to think about that.
Tomorrow I will tell you about some of the things
we saw on the Big Island, how I kept the days straight.
 Until then watch out for the drips and stuff, as I don't
think you have anyone to call, fix, send. 
Until stay safe and God Bless.




Lido Deck table




Water Water everywhere






 

Chocolate Extravaganza



Chocolate Extravaganza












Veggie Flowers



 

Daily Exercise



Brenda, Vicki, Kay, Me





 
 

 

.

     .

        

POST SCRIPT (PS) TO TODAY'S BLOG

For some unknown reason some little elf decided to disrupt my photo presentation of Georgia's winnings.   Probably the same elf that has had my e-mail royally screwed up for the last ten days.  Finally got the e-mail straightened out, can now receive and send messages.  I am just going to place the entire series of pictures here so you can see some of her work.

Maybe tomorrow the elf will move on to mess with someone else.  I don't have time for all this nonsense.  Please, Lord, give me patience.

A CONTINUATION OF YESTERDAY..........

          Back to the art show and judging.  They had a lovely young man in from the Akron, Ohio area to judge the other artwork. He was quite interesting to talk with, and is an art teacher in addition to his many areas of different types of art, sculptures, murals, just to name a few.  In fact the guild was so impressed with him they have invited him to come back to teach a couple of classes.  They are going to coincide his teaching in approximately the same time frame as my photography class will be conducted.  We already know there are some who would like to take both classes.  Time will tell.

          But right now I want to share Georgia and her ribbons with you.  I think you will see why she wins the awards.  Of course the judge does not know any of the participants, so is not biased on his judging.

          Georgia won two (2) Second Place ribbons, and two (2) First Place ribbons. 

          This first picture shows Georgia receiving one of her ribbons from the judge.  Isn't he cute?  Back to reality.  I am  sharing one picture of her receiving ribbons, thought that was enough..  This next two pictures shows her second place ribbon for the Wildlife category...Isn't that a neat chicken?  I can say it, because it was one of the feral chickens I photographed while in Hawaii.  I love it when she wants to use one of my pictures as a basis for one of her paintings.  The other second place ribbon is for one of her still life pictures.  You would not believe how many places I have been with her when she has seen some little something that she would purchase to use in some of her still life compositions.  I almost feel as if I am a part of what she does.

 Then the next two pictures are both First Place, one for another of her still-life presentations and the other for one of her portraits. The one directly below is one of her still life paintings.

Her two  first place ribbons were for another still-life, above and a portrait of her husband below, when he was young, many moons ago.  You can see how diversified her work is.                                                              

           There are so many of her originals hanging in her home it boggles your mind.  Also I can't even begin to count the ribbons she has won over the years.  It is fun to have friends like this that are so talented. 

          She also belongs to the barnstormers, and has sold some of her paintings of mail pouch barns, as I have sold some of my photographs of the barns.  We  both look forward to that July picnic, especially the FOOD!!!!!

          Maybe we will see some of you there this year.  If so, be sure to bring your appetite.  You definitely will not go away hungry.  Until then, God Bess.



AND THE WINNERS ARE..........................

          In the photography category that I judged on Friday, there were so many great photographs, the judging was not easy.  I use the point system judging on 7 different areas, scoring high 10 and low 1.  The highest score is first place, next highest second place, next three honorable mentions.  It took several hours to judge these photograph.  Then the tally was made, by another person, and the winners determined.  The awards ceremony would be on Saturday morning.

          When Georgia and I arrived at her house, Dan had dinner ready for us - chicken, candied sweet potatoes, peas and a fruit salad.  We were starved, and it surely did taste good.  Made the judging way more than worthwhile.

          Saturday morning arrived at the Woodsfield Public Library, where the competition was being held, and prepared for the awards ceremony.  As there were fewer photographs than paintings, etc., I get to go first.  Lucky me.

          After the MC introduces me, I thank everyone for their participation, and then began with the honorable mentions (3 of them).  I am sharing their pictures with you..  The one on the left is titled LOST IN REFLECTION, and the one on the right is titled QUIET MOMENT. 

One of the photographers didn't make the ceremony, and one got away before I could photograph him with his winning picture.  This honorable mention at the left is titled BARN A'FIRE.  She was available, so got to photograph her with her winner.  She was all smiles when I called her name.

The next two pictures are second place and first place.  Second place was also the photographer who got away.  I tried to track him down, but wasn't successful.  In addition to the ribbons, each of the five winners received a check.  I do not know the amounts, but I am sure whatever it was they were thrilled.

This second place winner was titled BOY OF SUMMER, and was very well done.  The first place winner below is titled HAND in HAND.

 I wanted you to see the closeup of this first place wining picture which appears below .  She was all smiles upon receiving Honorable Mention, but when I called her name for FIRST PLACE, she glowed.  This is what makes it worthwhile.  It is a picture of her grandmother and grandfather's hands, with an overlay.  It was quite unique, very well done, and tells a story.  I wish I could have given more ribbons, but it wasn't to be.  I do feel honored that the art guild asks me to judge the photography segment of their once-a-year show.  The smiles on the faces of the winners is priceless..

         Tomorrow I will share with you the pictures that my friend Georgia received ribbons for. 

          So for today, I will close.  It is always a pleasure to be involved in the  judging process, I see so very many beautiful, well thought out pictures, and am constantly in awe at the amount of talent in these small communities.  Keep up the good work and God Bless.



APRIL FOOL's DAY and JUDGING...............

          Have you been caught yet??? Since Jerry is in St Louis, and the dogs can't talk yet, I have been safe today. 

          I am also getting ready to leave for Woodsfield Ohio upon finishing my blog for today.  Why Woodsfield? The Monroe County Art Guild sponsors an annual art and photography competition.  Last year I was asked to judge the photography end of the competition.  I must have done something right as they asked me to be the photography judge again this year.  Last year the weather was beautiful.  Today - heavy wet snow on the ground.  So Jerry and the dogs didn't get me, but the weather did.  Big time.

          I enjoy the judging, but am disappointed that there can only be two or three "winners".  If I had the money I would see that everyone of the photographers received something, if only honorable mention.  But I don't, so I can't, and must choose three.

          I love seeing other folks photographs, I always learn something from them.  But one of the best parts of this particular judging is that I get to spend the night with my friends in Sardis, Ohio, Georgia and Dan, and Georgia's mother Arlie.  And they feed me.  What more could I ask for?

          I won't be blogging tomorrow, as I probably won't get home until late.  The judging takes place today, and tomorrow will be the awards ceremony, where I have to announce the winners and present them with their ribbons and cash awards.  Hopefully on Sunday I can share some of Saturday with you.

          I met Georgia and Dan many years ago at, you guessed it, an art festival being held at Oglebay Park in Wheeling.  Even though they no longer participate in the festivals, we are friends, visit each other, do things together.  Georgia is a very talented artist, working in both watercolors and oils. In fact I have several of her pictures hanging in my home, and she has won numerous ribbons and awards for her art.
          Georgia has had a table-top style art book published showing many of her pictures, with a short paragraph telling why, where, and what she was doing that drew her attention to painting that particular picture.  I am sharing three pictures with you, the first are three of  several of her pictures I have hanging in my home, the second and third are the front and back of her art book. 

          If you would like to have a copy, they can be purchased from - you guessed it - Double Edge Press (doubleedgepress.com) I think.

          Georgia and I have had some adventures on our road trips, me to take pictures for my photography business, Georgia to take pictures to use for her paintings.  She has the advantage, she can turn summer into winter, spring into fall, add something, or subtract something.  Me, I have to work with what I have, but I do have a good program that lets me edit out some unwanted things.  We just have a lot of fun doing these road trips together.

          Hopefully on Sunday I will be able to tell you that Georgia has taken another ribbon.  The art judge and the photography judge have to be from out of the area, and not friends with anyone who is competing.  That is why I can judge the photography end of the competition.  Georgia doesn't do photography.

So, it's off to Woodsfield and trying to decide who should receive what?  That will be very difficult.  So think of me tomorrow, and hope that I do well.  Thank you and God Bless.