After our wonderful adventures above water surfing around we were ready to take on anything. Even if that mint from new heights & deeper depths. When we paddled our way back under the Rainbow Bridge headed to return our board we saw a few local boys jumping from the bridge into the water. ummmm......... we though now that would be a blast. Slowly making our way back to the shore line lounging in the water a bit more before returning to the car. Walking back we saw the group of four guys that help us on the tree swing headed to the bridge and we knew we had to do it. OMG, my heart was racing a million times a minute as we walked closer over to the bridge. We stood around watching each of them jump & then all four of them at one time, before we finally gave in.
Putting our "brave we can do this" face on we marched our booties over to the bridge & climbed up with a little help thanks to Sarah. She couldn't quite get up so she looked at one of the guys standing near us & said "HEY YOU, GET OVER HERE" it was priceless. Before he had a chance to get away I was having him help me up as well. The wall is a bit higher up than it really looks like when your just driving across. That's when the waiting started.......looking down I really didn't know if I could do this. It seemed like the water was so far away and I was freaked. My heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest & I though about just turning around & getting down. That's when Sarah said "if you don't jump & I do I'm gonna be really sad" (I guess she could see the look of fear on my face) gosh right to the heart thank spouse I love you to. I knew then at that moment that I couldn't be the one that CHICKENED out and didn't jump I would regret it forever. The longer I sat there the worse it was gonna be so..........
ON THREE..........ONE........TWO..........THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
It seriously seemed like forever before my butt hit the water but once it did it was such a relief, I DID IT!!!!!
We couldn't stop talking about how freaking awesome it was that WE JUMPED OFF THE RAINBOW BRIDGE, we just had to do it one more time. Making our way up sitting there once I knew I could do this, still a bit freaked but I did it once I can do it again. Screaming the whole way down (I didn't scream the first time) holding my nose I sure did get a mouth full of water. We did it again FREAKING FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!! This seriously was the high light of our day, I couldn't think of anyone else I would of wanted to jump with. Today for sure goes on one of the top best days living in Hawaii list.
The spouse & I had plans to spend the day down in Haleiwa having some yummy grinds & chilling on the water. We are on a adventure to try anything / everything at least once while living in Hawaii. Who gets this opportunity handed to them.........not everyone so we are taking full advantage of it while we can. So today was a first for the both of us!!!!! On to today's agenda lunch first..........
I have always wanted to stop in and eat at the shrimp trucks that you see around the island but I never have. See I don't like shrimp (or any sea food for that matter) so I have always just drove right buy. I've heard from a few people that some of them have other items on their menu, so today was the day to test the waters & step out of my box. I found a truck that made Kalua Pork Nachos which caused S & I to start drooling they looked so good. Ok we will have one of those please. Now for my main dish.....oh this truck sells BLT's as well. SOLD, I'll have one. S went to another truck to get her food & we met back up at a old colorful wooden picnic table. I was starving & ready to dig in so I quickly opened up my container only to notice I was given the wrong dish. Oh well it wasn't sea food so I was willing to give it a try. Low & behold it was a Malasada Burger a new one for me. I hadn't even heard of these before, Malasadas~ yes they are a sweet sugary or Cinnamon donut like dessert. But putting burger fixings in the middle was new, it was good definitely different but good. I managed to finish pretty much the whole thing before I was stuffed. I can officially say I've had one now & think its a must try for anyone. Like I said it wasn't what I ordered & wouldn't have ordered it on my own but I'm glad I gave it a try.
After lunch we made our way further down the road to a surf shop were we rented two stand up paddle boards. I have always wanted to try this but frankly didn't think I'd be able to stand up for more than 30 seconds. After looking over the boards & noticing how thick and wide they are I had a little bit more hope that I could manage this. We were given a quick lesson on paddling, standing up & were we could & couldn't go. Then we were off on our own with our boards in hand headed down to the water.
I got up on my first try and was good to go......but not long after that I found myself pulling my butt back up on my board. I was trying to take a picture of S behind me STILL trying to stand up and bam there I went right under. I quickly got back up and was on my feet slowly trying to figure out balancing & paddling at the same time. Finally S was able to stand up after some coaching from your truly and she herself went cruising right along. This is were we were headed, under the Rainbow bridge and beyond. From a distance it looks lower to the water than it really is but we were able to stand up and go right under with a slight tilt of the head. Hearing the cars rolling over the bridge as we went under was kinda scaring. Your paddling hoping the bridge doesn't cave in and fall on top of you. lol
We saw four turtles while paddling along the canal and I managed to snap a picture of two. This one was right to my left and came up for air just in the nick of time. After we passed this guy I looked to the right & there was another one swimming right to my surf board. I was freaked just standing there hoping I didn't bump him, then I noticed he swam under my board. Holding my breath trying not to move I was worried the slightest movement to me would cause me to fall right in the water with this guy and I was DIDN'T want that to happen.
Once we reached the third bridge and turned around to head back we decided to rest our feet for a bit. I can stand on my feet all day long and they don't bother me. However standing on a surf board paddling takes a lot more out of you. We enjoyed "laying out" on our boards taking in some rays from the sun shining down above us. The tricky part was standing back up after our feet were all normal and rested again and trying not to fall but we go right up.
On our way back passing under the bridges we passed a tree swing that was off to the side. When we came back there were four guys testing it out and making total goofs of themselves. I was just standing there watching when all of a sudden smack right in water I went. Right in front of Sarah and the four military guys, not one of my more classier moments if I do say so. We decided to give it a shot and made our way up one at a time. I was voted to go first and in doing so fell straight into the tree scraping my legs all up but being the trooper I am I made my way to the top. Slowing walking over to the rope thinking in my head how in the world am I going to do this. Finally I got the courage up to go for it and had a blast, I didn't even scream. My spouse was up next and managed to make her way up the tree & over to the rope a lot better than me. However I think she was a wee bit more nervous than, it took her a minute to figure out were she was going to hold the rope but one she found her footing she was good to go, screaming her way to the water. Right there in front of the 4 guys it was comical we all got a good chuckle out of it. I can't remember the last time I jumped from a tree swing it was so much fun. The guys that helped us up videoed us as well so check out that below!!!
~ here is the swing that we jumped from~
I had so much fun today, I never would have though that stand up paddle boarding was so easy. I mean sure it was a bit of a challenge at first but once we were up and going it was a piece of cake. I've learn so much about myself living in Hawaii, I never would have tried half the things I have done on a normal day living life before the army. I feel like I can take on the world one paddle at a time. I can't wait to go again, maybe next time we will try it more out in the open ocean waters rather than back in a canal area off the North Shore.
~yup this is how its done...thank you~
Now of course a day down on the Shore wouldn't be complete with out some delicious shaved ice. Its such a refreshing treat after hours in the sun. Normally I would go to Matsumoto but the line was crazy retarded long (I mean it always is) and there was hardly a line at all at Aoki's so we decided to go there. I've had shaved ice from here a few times and S has never been to Matsumoto but there is always another day.
mmmmmmm............banana for me please & root beer w/ ice cream for the spouse awh I'm in love!!!!!!! one of my favorites!!!!!!!!!!
another fabulous day in paradise w/ one of my most favorite people ever!!!!
With our game shirts on and high school ribbons in our hair, my spouse & I met up early to head out for some tail gating before the PRO BOWL GAME started. We arrived shortly after noon and grabbed lunch at Subway were we parked and walked over to the Aloha Stadium. Meeting up with a coworker and her family we sat and chatted about our daily gossip and what was going on in every one's lives. We were finally able to meet R's husband and all of her kiddos, which I think are possibly clones of her because they all look exactly alike. While we munch on our sandwiches and they made theirs the clouds started rolling in. I was starting to get a bit bummed but still had hope......then the rain started and I was ready to go home. I absolutely HATE being out in the rain, I don't mind it just rather be inside enjoying it. After a while the rain seemed to start drifting away and so we made our way up to the stadium and found our seat. Not before grabbing a $14.00 margarita that is on the way. Come to find out we were sitting right next to Sarah's husband's old Major and his family, who's youngest daughter happens to be in my class at the CDC. The sun was starting to peek though and dry things up which was a much needed relief. The pre-game started out with local Hawaiian Dancers, a performance by The Goo Goo Dolls, The National Anthem and NFL team's Cheerleader representing. Fire works and the Star Spangle Banner followed by the KICK OFF and it was GAME TIME!!!!!!!!!! We sat and chatted enjoying the game watch the AFC suck really bad. I can say that because well of course I'm a Dallas Cowboy fan and they are NFC. Sadly Sarah is a Steelers fan and so even though they were taken out of the Pro Bowl last minute do to going to the Super Bowl She was still cheering for the AFC. We had a fabulous time and I couldn't think of any one better to have gone with. There was a ton of other people there that I knew & friend of mine JS happen to find us and came for a visit to our seats which was a nice surprise. Right before Half Time we made our way back down to the food area to get some deliciousness to enjoy during the Half Time Show. We each got a Roasted Corn on the Cob one of my favorite game day eats and Sarah picked up a Funnel Cake as well. I wasn't as impressed with the HT show as I was with the Pre Game show but it was still good. I love seeing the mascots of the different teams run up and down the field doing flips and acting goofy as ever they are so cute. Seems like that would be a pretty cool job to have. Right towards the end of the 4th quarter there was about 5 to 6 guys that ran on to the field from the crowd and started running though the players. Some of them were taking off their shirts and others were just running around crazy. The players were charging at them and security was trying everything they could to catch them. It was quite comical if I do say so, I've seen this happen on TV before or in video's but never in person. Everyone was getting a good kick out of it. The game ended and NFC defeated AFC with the score of 55-41. It was a wonderful day well spent with my bestie. Only time will tell but I hope that we are able to go next year together as well. The 2012 Pro Bowl will be held in Hawaii again however the location for the game in 2013 has not yet been decided. Another CHECK off my 30 B4 30 list has been made ~ Go to the Pro Bowl.
One of the most amazing things about living in Hawaii is the winter months. No not because you miss out on the cold weather on the mainland but because of the waves. They are so incredible during the winter and I could sit and watch them forever. Its when all the big surf competition's come to the island and crowds of people storm the beaches to watch it just awesome. I've been making my way to the beach at least once if not twice during the weekends and enjoying every bit of it. Last week I managed to get off work early one day because i wasn't feeling to well, I grabbed some lunch in Hale'iwa and headed down to North Shore for the afternoon.
I love soaking up the sun with a good book. Today I found out we might be staying in Hawaii longer than what we were expecting, it makes me so excited I love the beach!!!!!!!
I could sit and watch the waves come in for hours, its so peaceful and calming. Laying out with the sun beaming down on you, the birds flying above and the crashing waves against the shore line what more could be more perfect.
