Hawaii - Hanauma Bay

 We went to Hawaii. Never been, but with the pandemic decided it was going to be an easier option that trying to go overseas. There's just too much uncertainty with everything. It's easy to get around if you are vaccinated. You just have to show your vaccine card and wear a mask everywhere you go. And I mean everywhere. But that doesn't bother me. I don't want to get sick or spread it around.

We spent a week on the island of Oahu. As much as I would have loved to see the other islands as well, we just didn't have enough time. And I don't want to have to go to an airport every other day. Instead, we just enjoyed a lovely time seeing everything we wanted to on this island.

We decided to try to do the famous Hanauma Bay that everyone raves about. They have now put limitations on visiting the bay to help prevent over tourism and all the damaging effects on the ecosystem. It's only open Wednesday through Sunday, and you have to have a reservation to get in. They open up reservation times 48 hours before, and they sell out quickly. I wasn't sure we'd get in, but I watched the clock online and grabbed the first spot I saw, which was 7am. 10 minutes later the day was sold out. 

It was busy. Lots of people, but the beautiful sun coming up was lovely. Even though it was early, it was still warm outside and the water was warm as well. I've never been snorkeling or swimming in the ocean before, so this was a first for me. I have been to the ocean many times, and I've waded in the ocean. But actually swimming in the ocean water? Never. While I can swim, I'm a very basic swimmer. Definitely not strong or advanced or comfortable with crazy swimming feats. I like to think I know enough to keep my head about water. 

Snorkeling took me a bit to get used to. I did have a few panic attacks in the beginning - because breathing underwater is totally weird and unnatural and freaked me out more than once. But eventually I got the hang of it. The whole goggles fogging up constantly is a big pain though. And when you wear contacts it's just a balancing mess. But I saw coral, and fish, and it was really really cool. Glad we did it, and glad I got to learn in a pretty calm environment. We only stuck around for a few hours. By 9am it was getting really crowded with people, which makes snorkeling not as fun when people keep running into you. 

But the beach is well organized, the sand is beautiful, and they even have showers and lockers. You can rent snorkeling equipment, but we bought some before the trip to take along with us. So glad we did. Made things easier. After getting off what sand we could (even with the showers sand still gets in shocking places that are impossible to get out) we moved onto our next stop.

The Trek Home and the Grand Canyon

After a wonderful week it was time to make the very long 30 hour drive back to Texas. Not going to lie, it was a bit depressing going back knowing that the vacation was over and it was time to go back to work and reality. Reality and adulting is over rated.

We drove the same route home, and saw a few extra things. Like this creepy clown motel in Tonopah Nevada. Nightmares anyone?

We then made a detour to see the Grand Canyon!! Here's the thing - it's the Grand Canyon. It was an hour and a half off our path home. But I have never once regretted taking a detour to see it. Plus the groom had never been there, so it was pretty much a no brainer. Yes, it made the day extra long and painful being in a car for like 17 hours. But totally worth it. It was chilly, and they were expecting a snow storm that night, so it was good we went when we did.

The next morning we woke to snow on the car and it still coming down. I love the snow. I miss it. The rest of the drive home was pretty uneventful as we went from glorious 50 degree fall mountain weather to 90 degree Texas heat. Sometimes I wonder why I live in Texas.

Lake Tahoe

Our last day staying in Tahoe we decided to spend the day driving around the lake and playing tourist and the local tourist shops. Nothing exciting or too crazy, just a lot of beautiful scenery in some gorgeous fall weather. I'll let you just enjoy the fabulous scenery below.

San Francisco California

 

The Groom has never been to San Francisco or seen the Golden Gate Bridge. Since Tahoe is only a few hours away, we decided we had to go see it. It's been years since I've been there so it seemed like a fun trip.

California drivers are the absolute worst drivers in the world. They just are. Are almost getting into an accident more then once from the hipster in front of us, we made it onto the bridge. Which was basically a parking lot. Our 3 hour drive turned into 5 hours. Typical of San Francisco. 

The downside is that because of the traffic we didn't make it there until 3:30 in the afternoon, which gave us very limited time to do much. It also happened to be fleet week, as well as a Blue Angels air show. It was pretty jam packed with people and craziness. 

We did walk along the piers down to Pier 39. We walked through the packed shopping distract to the back, where we got a good view of Alcatraz. We also of course had to make a quick stop to see the sea lions. I always LOVED going to Pier 39 and seeing the sea lion. They are like giant lazy cats of the ocean. 

We didn't have time to go out to Alcatraz, or see Fisherman's Warf which I'm bummed about. But we saw a few highlights. We then went to a fancy Italian restaurant for dinner right by the piers. I'm a snob when it comes to Italian food, but this place was actually amazingly good. Too bad I can't remember the name of it. 

After that we drove through the madness that is the city of San Francisco, crossed the Golden Gate bridge and got back to Tahoe about midnight. It was a long day, but very fun too.

Lake Tahoe - The Wedding

 

All of this geared up to the big day of getting married. There was a little drama leading up to the wedding (there is always drama) like the groom being in agonizing pain from a tooth that needed to be pulled, and the forecast the night before the wedding of snow and rain and a high of 38 degrees. 

But what can you do? We just rolled with it. Luckily the rain came in the morning. It was quite chilly, but the sun came out right before the ceremony and turned it into a beautiful day. Tahoe is always absolutely beautiful. We kept the wedding small, mainly just family and a few close friends. And it turned out just wonderful. Simple, but just right for us.

My bouquet - I love roses. Maybe that's a boring flower to like, but I have always loved roses. For the wedding we got a ton of roses in many different colors from Costco. 

Seriously, Costco is the best. We had all the flowers shipped to the house, then put them together myself. You just have to get them out of the boxes right away and get them in some water. But by the next day the open up and are just beautiful. 

For my bouquet I had always planned on just doing red roses. My mom passed away a few years ago, and the groom's sister had the genius idea to have e pick out a different colored rose, and they'd put it in the center of my bouquet in honor of my mom. So that's why there is the one yellow rose poking out of the sea of red. I never would have though of doing that, but I love it.

After the ceremony we had a dinner on the lake that night which was divine. Everyone was beyond full, And anyone who left hungry - well, that was their own fault. 

Beautiful day.

Reno

While in Reno we did make a quick stop at a park I used to go to as a child. They have done a lot of work in making it such a pretty place. Of course I had to stop at the rose garden. It was still in bloom and beautiful. The park runs along the river, which is almost totally dried up because of the horrible drought. It was a fun stop to make on a lovely October morning.