Big lsland Here We Come!

[indysteel]

Yeah, we're lucky. Hawaii is closer to us than Maine.

The only thing we've planned so far for 2013 is about 10 days in Maine for Thom's parents 50th wedding anniversary. They've got a 4 day shindig planned so far - rehearsal dinner, contra dance, the EVENT, family breakfast. The other days are for visiting my family and doing some touristy stuff.

Then we're doing a rafting trip of part of the Grand Canyon with Thom's parents and probably spending a couple of days in Vegas.

Those two things are the end of June, beginning of July.

We'll do something else, just the two of us. But I don't know what yet. Maybe the San Juans... maybe a trip down the CA Coast. Definitely something involving bikes.

Veronica

Sounds good. Now I remember the picture of the dress you're planning to buy for the anniversary party. It's pretty!

If we end up going on a second trip next year, it's going to be something on the cheap. I almost have him talked into doing BRAT, the bike tour in Tennessee I did a couple of times before we met. It's nothing exotic, but I always had a really good time and the road riding there is quite nice. There are so few details to worry about, which is sort of refreshing.

[Norse]

You will love it! We went last fall - stayed on the Kona side - snorkled almost every day, learned how to paddle board, spent a few days at Volcano Nat'l Park, enjoyed some truly fantastic seafood.... I would love to go back some day but, like Indiana, it's kind of hard to get to from Minnesota.

[indysteel]

You will love it! We went last fall - stayed on the Kona side - snorkled almost every day, learned how to paddle board, spent a few days at Volcano Nat'l Park, enjoyed some truly fantastic seafood.... I would love to go back some day but, like Indiana, it's kind of hard to get to from Minnesota.

Awesome, Norse. Where were some of your favorite snorkeling spots?

[Norse]

Awesome, Norse. Where were some of your favorite snorkeling spots?

We were staying at the Mauna Lani Bay hotel, north of the Kona airport, and there was great snorkeling right off their beach once you got past the initial lava reefs. There was also good snorkeling off of the public beach that was just south of there. I heard good things about the Captain Cook area too. I have snorkled in a lot of places (Sea of Cortez near San Carlos, Catalina Island, Caribbean, Alaska - yes, Alaska, Galapagos, the reefs off of FL keys, the Dry Tortugas) and the Big Island ranked right up there both in terms of underwater geography and diversity and quantity of marine life. Enjoy!

[indysteel]

That's so cool, Norse. I've only snorkeled during trips to Key West and Oahu--and both of those trips were some time ago. DH had never been, and it sounds like we are both in for a treat.

Is it April yet?

[indysteel]

When I first posted this thread, April, 2013 felt like a long way off. And now it's finally upon us!!!!

The good news is that we both are very much in need of some R&R thanks to a lot of work stress. The bad news is that we've both been so busy at work that it's been hard to find time to plan this trip as much as I would normally like. I hope that it goes well, despite that. The weather looks mostly good (I say mostly because we are spending part of the trip on the wet side of the island, but we knew going in that it would be wet).

I'm nervous about the flight. The FAA just announced that its furloughs will begin this week and that travelers can expect flight delays and cancellations. Oh, goody. Wish us luck!

[Becky]

If we end up going on a second trip next year, it's going to be something on the cheap. I almost have him talked into doing BRAT, the bike tour in Tennessee I did a couple of times before we met. It's nothing exotic, but I always had a really good time and the road riding there is quite nice. There are so few details to worry about, which is sort of refreshing.

I'm trying to talk my DH into BRAT for next year. Maybe we'll see you there!

[Catrin]

I'm trying to talk my DH into BRAT for next year. Maybe we'll see you there!

BRAT sounds like a lot of fun, and it IS my home state. I am considering doing this next year, we shall see

[salsabike]

This is by far the best snorkeling place we found--used mostly by local folks. http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/W...aii/index.html

[indysteel]

I'm trying to talk my DH into BRAT for next year. Maybe we'll see you there!

Cool! It would be nice to meet you. This year they're in Middle TN, so I'm hoping they're in Eastern TN for 2013. I've never done one in Western TN, and it doesn't hold as much appeal for me. They usually announce we're they're going by late fall if memory serves but don't come out with the specifics until spring.

[indysteel]

Thanks for the snorkeling suggestions. Captain Cook was definitely on my list, although I know there are some environmental concerns to be mindful of. Salsa, I'll have to look at that link at home. My office has that site blocked.

I also meant to ask if anybody has done any kayaking while visiting the BI. I'd really like to do that, too, time permitting.

[Veronica]

Last time we went we took a guided snorkel/kayak trip to Captain Cook. You can only land there now with permits I think. Plus it was nice to have someone bring lunch!

In 2004 we snorkeled across the bay. We had rented a convertible and that made renting kayaks hard. We didn't spend much time at Captain Cook, but snorkeling back, we got to see a pod of dolphins up close and personal. That was pretty cool!

It was a perfect day. We had gotten up super early to go see the lava flowing into the ocean at sunrise and then to have the dolphins...

Veronica

[GLC1968]

I've never been to Hawaii (except the airport as a layover on the way to Australia), so I'm extremely jealous! I'm sure it'll be a wonderful trip!

[salsabike]

It's Waialea Bay Beach 69 (named after a former telephone post...honest ). Maybe this link is more work-friendly...http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/sn...-beach-69.html

[sgf726]

Love the Big Island - We have been there twice.
The last time was 2 years ago and we did a cycling trip around the Island.

Couple of my favorite parts of the ride where riding the IM course from Hana down to the finish and riding from the Black Sand Beach at the southern end up to Volcanoe's National Park.

In the first trip we did a lot of hiking. Volcanoes NP is great to explore and the Big Island Revealed mentions a ranger guided hike thru a lava tube which is much better than Thurston (which has been cleaned up for the tourists) this one is more natural but is restricted to the guided hikes.

Some of the best snorkling I have done is the bay by Captain Cook, where the statue is. It was like swimming in an aquarium with all the different fish.

Have fun.