Day 1-2 Hawaii

Michael and I left Saturday afternoon to head for Hawaii. It was a very long day. It began at 2:00 Chicago time and ended at 7:40 Hawaii time. Hawaii is 5 hours ahead of the Central time zone and therefore it was very late in our minds. Once we landed my friend Veronica met us at the airport and provided us with the traditional Hawaiian lei. She then took us to Hickman Air Force base and we got to see their new house. As soon as we arrived I was ready for bed. After the long day of traveling I was exhausted, but Michael wanted to stay up to ensure he got on Hawaii time.

Our first real day of Hawaii life was very long but very fun. We woke up at 6:30AM to the trumpet that plays daily at 6:30AM on the Air Force base. Veronica and I cooked eggs, bacon, and toast for breakfast. It was a well needed big meal for our big day.

As soon as breakfast was over we all got showered and headed to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. We were a little concerned it might be really busy and that we might not get to see the Arizona Memorial, but lucky for us, it is the end of the tourist season and it was Sunday. We were able to get tickets to the next available Arizona viewing.

I don't know how to describe the Arizona Memorial. The first thing they have you do is watch a short documentary about what lead to that day December 7, 1941. It was a very somber video, it had shots of the actual day and it showed the Arizona actually being bombed. Once the video is over they take you on a short boat ride over to the actual ship that now sits at the bottom of the harbor. We got off the boat and enter into the Arizona Memorial, which first opened on April 4, 1984. The USS Arizona is very visible at the bottom and it still is leaking oil. I thought the oil was very interesting since the ship actually sank over 60 years ago. We then took the same boat back to land decided to go check out the USS Missouri, which is the last battleship ever made.

I recommend to anyone who is planning a trip to Honolulu to take the time and go see the Arizona, which is free, and to spend the money for an extended guided tour of the Missouri. Veronica, Shane, Michael, and I had a guided tour of the Missouri and it was the best $40 tour I have ever been on. Our guide, Jim, is a history teacher who does guided tours two days a week. He took us through parts of the ship that only the extended guided tour can go. I think the most interesting part of the entire tour was how steep the ladders were between floors and how short someone would have to be to get around without getting a concussion. I enjoyed learning all the interesting facts about the ship. It was crazy to know we were in a place that famous people have filmed movies like Pearl Harbor and a President has eaten dinner with sailors. Harry S. Truman was the president who was on the Missouri during his term and they used the ship to film a very short portion of the movie Pearl Harbor.

After the ship, which took all of the morning and part of the afternoon, we decided to head back to the house and go check out one of the beaches on base. Veronica and Shane took us to this beach that we could walk out several hundred yards and the water never came above our knees. It was so cool. We hung out there for a little while until we realized we all needed a nap. We all took a short nap before heading to downtown for dinner. We ate right on the water and watched the cargo ships come into the harbor. After dinner we went back to the beach, took the dogs, and watched the sunset. The dogs had a blast, it is the perfect area for dogs to run through the water and chase birds.

I don't know what tomorrow will hold for us, but I am sure we will be spending some time on the beach and enjoying the sun.

The Traditional Hawaiian lei

USS Arizona Memorial
Michael and I at the Arizona
USS Missouri
The group on Big Mo

Last few weeks

Michael and I have been very busy lately. We have had a ton of fun activities. Friday, August 14th my office had a Day at the Races. The entire office and spouses are invited to attend each year. We had a lot of fun and we even won some money...or I should say I won some money, then Michael lost my money.
The weekend of August 14 was the Chicago Air and Water Show. Michael and I went on Saturday and it was a perfect day to watch the show. We had great sunshine and few clouds.
Michael wanted to setup on the beach near Ohio Street. I have never seen Lake Michigan beaches so busy since I have lived here. We went and sat on some steps right next to the busy beach.
Last weekend Michael and I went to the annual SEC Flag Football tournament. We had more fun this year than I believe we have had in the past two years combined. Arkansas won the first match against Florida. GO HOGS!! Then we had to go play LSU. BOOOO!!! We lost to LSU, but it was a good game. Everyone played hard and had fun.

Action Shot playing LSU
Here's a team photo
Our cheerleader, Karl
Michael and I after the game
Everyone loves the HOGS!!

After football, we had our annual bar after party. This year it was at a small place in Wrigleyville called Houndstooth. That's when the real party got started. They had drink specials, which just got everyone a little looser for flippy cup and dancing. Lucky for me I stayed sober and got tons of great pictures. The pictures below just sum up the evening.