Tantalus Drive

This was a beautiful drive that Gabe & I had done back when we rented the jeep how ever it rained on us. I suggested to Crystal & Adam to do it before they left & they were all over the idea. It was so gorgeous and the weather was just perfect. The road is 10 miles long and wiggles and winds up the mountain through a pretty forest above Honolulu. Reaching the top at 1,610 feet, in the process you will be able to see Honolulu at new heights and its true beauty. There are several look outs through out the drive that offer different views of the Leeward side of Oahu.
I did find "MY SPOT" along the drive were if I ever need to just go relax and get away from it all and have myself a little quiet time. Pu'u Ualaka'a State side Park. It over looks a 25 mile swap of the Oahu, from Barbers point all the way past Diamond Head to Kahala. Its true beauty you have to see for yourself to really take in. I can't wait for Gabe to get home so we can take the drive together again and I can show him "OUR SPOT" on top of the mountain.










This was the afternoon after Gabers left and I have to say riding around in the back of a convertible mustang was a nice refreshing felling for just a brief moment as my heart ached in pain, hoping it was all a dream and I would soon wake up. OH how I miss him so dearly and would give anything to have him home in my arms.

Worst day EVER :(

The day finally came were I had to send the love of my life off to war. It was the 2nd hardest day of my life by far. Standing there watching him draw his weapon, make sure every last item was packed and all his guys were accounted for. From talking to his PL and BSing with his Squad leader there were a few laughs through out the evening.

Our sweetest friends Crystal, Adam & Rebecca and both there daughters came up to the company are at 11:30pm to see Gabe off that evening. Come to find out we didn't have to be there till 12:30AM. There was no point in going back to the house & having to go through that all over again, so Crystal suggested we go back to the Inn were they were staying and that we did. The 5 of us and two kiddos walked our way over and had a little pow wow in their room. It was nice because we were able to just relax joke around and have a good old time like any other night with friends.

Then the time came were we had to go back to the company area again. Oh I was not ready for this at all. As we walked over there I held his hand as tight as I could and didn't let go at all. Talking to him the whole way there about how much I loved him and how I was looking forward to getting off this island because that would mean he would be back by then.

Shortly after getting back to the company area the guys started getting together and things started to set in. I was not ready for my husband to leave, I can't at all stand being away from him.

We were able to sit together and just cuddle up and enjoy each others company for most of the evening in between two manifests and other things. Then the final "See You Soon" moment came, I had the tightest grip on him and couldn't bring myself to let go.

Watching him walk away from me and joining the rest of his guys in the bus lines was the hardest moment, knowing it would be months before I could touch his face again or fill his kisses and his arms around me. I stood there in the pouring rain with Crystal watching my life walk on to the bus and taking my heart with him. I just wanted to run on and grab him one last time and pull him away with me but I knew I couldn't do that.

Standing proud to be his wife I sent him off to fight this war we call OIF in hopes for a early return. We have a long road ahead of us and its only a count down from here till we are in each others arms again. I love you baby more than words can say and feelings can express. Please hurry home to me and the puppies because we miss you like crazy more and more each and every day.

I LOVE YOU ALWAYS & FOREVER & THENSOME.

Late Night Date on the Beach

Late night Ice Cream dates are a big thing for us, so I had asked Gabe if he wanted to go get Ice cream tonight after dinner and he said sure.
I made chili and we enjoyed it on the couch with the pups. Shortly after we were on our way to were Gabe though was the PX for some Baskin Robbins. Right as we got to McComb gate I told him I had a idea really quick and we would get back for Ice Cream. Then the 50 questions started for him, as I drove down to Dillingham. He though I was trying to catch the sunset because it was just about that time. Finally making our way to the beach and parking I popped the trunk & grabbed out our beach bag and one other bag. We walked all the way down to almost the shore line and laid out the towel and at that time Gabe noticed that I had packed everything to make Ice Cream Sundaes.









We sat there and watched the sunset, made Ice Cream sundaes in our giant mugs and listened to the waves crash up against the beach. It was one of the best date night since we have been here in Hawaii. We were completly off by ourself no one around to inturupt us. Its the simple thing like tonight that I am going to miss when he deploys.


We had the most amazing night ever, something that I can't wait to do again.

PillBox Hike

After attempting our hike again from the day before when we got rained out and it happen again I was a bit frustrated. I wanted to make this weekend special get out and really enjoy the island as we always love doing. I was determined to see the world from above one way or another.

Back at home looking through my wonderful Oahu Revealed book and coming up with nothing made for a very sad girl. While I was on one computer the hubby was on his googling away trying whatever he could to try and make my day better.
Finally he had it, a hike in Kailua but that's all I got. Off we went driving along, we did great didn't get lost at all.

Parked at the start of the trail head right near the Golf course, I still had no idea were the heck we were going. All's I could tell was that were ever it was it was going to have some breath taking view and I was so EXCITED.

The Pillbox it was, I had to ask Gabe what they were used for and why they were called the Pillboxes. I'll let you guess it, another history lesson was given. Once we reached the top it was just like I had expected a breath taking view over the ocean looking down Kailua. The ocean was amazing, the weather was breath taking and the sky were blue and clear as ever. The best part about it all was that I was there enjoying each and every second with the love of my life. Nothing could take this moment away from us at all, it was the best day ever. He totally saved the day and made ever ounce of sweat worth it.


~~The start of the Trail head going up~~



~~It was pretty spectacular~~


~~One of the Pill Boxes~~



~~Enjoying the view with my love~~


~~~After making our way up and then back down~

Kamananui Valley Road

We were up and ready to go by 7AM, out the door by 7:45AM and headed to start our adventure for the day. It was still early so I just figured the clouds would pass be time we started out hike up the mountain. Walking down the 3.5 mile rocky road with the clouds above us didn't bother me at all. It was quite peaceful and the drizzle from from the rain help keep us cool.



Every so often Mr. Sun would appear above us and I was so excited. I hoped and crossed my fingers that it would be a gorgeous day and the view would be spectacular once we reached the top. More sprinkles came and left, the sun came and left again and again. But keep hope up we hiked on and on.



Crossing over 20 streams and old bridges that had water running over most of them, causing me to get muddy and wet and icky. I was loving every minute of it though and only complained when I would get mud on me. :(



Once we finally reached what we though was the start of the 2ND part of the trail, it started pouring rain. Still determined to reach the top we trucked along. However we really didn't get very far at all. Come to find out it was the wrong way and even if it was the right path (which we didn't know) we would not of been able to see anything from the top because of the crappy weather.



After taking a break, laughing at what was going on and snapping a few photo's for old time sake as well as a few kisses in the rain we decided that it was best to head back and call it a hike. We didn't wanna waste the time of trying to get to the top and it not be worth it. We will save this one and hike it on R&R and we will make it to the top. (after more googling once we got home, we found were we went wrong along the way.)




We still had a wonderful time, I am not one to like getting muddy and wet from the rain but it was so much fun. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It is a day I'll remember that's for sure.
I can't wait to make it to the top, I know it will be worth the 11 mile hike.

Dillingham / Ka'ena Point

One day last weekend Gabe randomly mentioned something about wanting to rent a jeep for the day and go off roading down past Dillingham Airfield. Now any other day I'd probably have said no way, why spend the money. However with the upcoming events we are doing anything and everything that he wants to do. So if that means renting a jeep for the day, that we will do. I was on it as soon as we got home and had a jeep booked in less than 2 hours.

I took off work for the deployment ceremony and the Friday after so that's when we decided to take on our little adventure. We have driven down the dirt bumpy road quite a ways many of times before but never all the way to the end. Mostly because we don't want to mess up the truck or get any scratches on it. With a rental jeep we have no worries at all and could go all the way to the gate at Ka'ena point.

Our first stop down the horribly bumpy road was Hidden Beach. It is a small sandy cove great for snorkeling when the waves aren't to crazy. We took the day to stay on land rather than the water so ill leave it to the pros on the snorkeling with the fishies.





From there we made our way down to the end of the road, well as far as we could go driving that is. We parked the jeep and off walking we went. To the westernmost tip of the Island Ka'ena Point, which is a Nature Reserve. Following along the roped of sandy path seeing a few of the NeNe birds along the way. The view was spectacular once we reach the tip of the island. To be able to see around to the left of the mountains and know that, that is as far as the island goes is breath taking.







There isn't a place in Texas were you can drive to the end of the state line and really be able to tell a difference of were you are so this was a pretty big deal for me as silly as it sounds.