Visit from the heron

This morning in the morning we were visited by a Great Blue Heron, who decided our boathouse roof was a great place to warm up on a cold morning.



He came back in the late afternoon just before sunset (you know, 3:30 up here in Seattle)

Central Cali Coast

Wonderful day in and around Carmel, CA today. Temps in the 80's and blue skies.

Couple of photos from the day.


Nice Waterfall directly onto the beach


Last light

Hanging out in Santa Fe

The final day of the 2009 Balloon Fiesta was canceled due to high winds. Here are a few photos from the Santa Fe area during our trip.


Santa Fe street art



Beautiful mountain road


Aspens in black & white

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta day 2

Day 2 at the Balloon Fiesta - another beautiful day


Dawn Patrol preparing for lift-off


Balloon being inflated


Heart decorated balloon passing overhead


Colorful detail


Balloon Formation


The sky was filled with balloons


Even Darth Vadar made an appearance


Inside of balloon a minute before lift-off


Fried Cheese Curds @ 5:30AM????

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta day 1

In Albuquerque & Santa Fe for a few days, here are photos from this morning at the Albuquerque Balloon Fieta.

Bandon, Oregon

Beautiful Bandon-by-the-sea (where Laurence grew up)





Cape Blanco State Park


More at Cape Blanco


One last Cape Blanco photo!


Starfish!


Face Rock


Morning Reflection

Moab

Sunset in Canyonlands National Park

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

We spent most of the day today up at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival - it's about an hour north of Seattle. The flowers are in peak bloom this weekend - get up there if you can!

Turtles!

Today is our last full day in Hawaii. It's been a fantastic vacation - and today was the day of the turtle.....



Gotta come up for air every now and then


Getting to shore can be an adventure


Nice Place to catch a turtle nap

Pololu Beach

Today's adventure was a hike down Pololu Beach at the end of the highway in the Northwest corner of the Big Island.


The view from the hike down to the beach

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Looking the other way from the rocky beach

More Big Island

We had a terrific day today - highlighted by a 5 mile roundtrip hike to 1 of 2 Green Sand Beaches in the world. Along the way we saw a massive (at least 60 members) pod of dolphins swimming close to shore - right at the most southern part of the US.


A few dolphins in the pod



Green Sand Beach from above


Jennifer & Laurence @ GSB


A serene turtle on a black sand beach


Cactus Close-Up


The Big Island's Wild Donkey's (for Steph's benefit)

Day trip to Hilo

We took a day trip from Kona over to Hilo for the day. Enjoyed a beautiful drive, mostly sunny, and some light hiking to waterfalls.


Akaka Falls - over 400 ft


Leaf Detail


One of the smaller waterfalls - but technically, still a waterfall....


Bamboo Forest