Sweaty Day 7-30-11

Today started reaaally early this morning. I woke up thinking I heard two infants crying and crying. You can hear people walk by our hotel rooms because there is no AC so you leave the windows open. I thought a family was getting up really early to head to the airport. I was really wrong. It was cats fighting! It was sooo loud! They were really going at each other, and I think the room next to us thought it was babies too because they woke up then realized what I realized and ended up scaring them off! LOL! After a few more hours of sleep, Jed and I decided to head up Koke'E State Park. We were told to get up early to miss the fog, and there would be better photo opportunities. So we started our adventure and drove up the the mountain side, which took about one and a half hours! But we thought it would be worth the wait and drive. But when we got up to the top , it was raining (typical Hawaii), it was cold, and really foggy. I was sooo sad. I was really looking forward to a hike and some beautiful pictures. We did get some cool pics on our way to the top, but it was so foggy on the top we couldn't even take any pictures or see anything.

At the top of the mountian, actually pretty clear consiering about 10 minutes later we could not see anything

At a lookout point on the way to the top of the mountain

So we decided to head back, but we were so hungry we stopped by the resturant by the State Parks Museum. I am so glad we did because we had the most delicous home made food! Plus by the time we were done, the weather started to clear up and got really sunny. Before we left the resturant, we decided to buy some chicken feed because there were 30 or more chickens running around and they were so friendly! We feed them and it was pretty funny, we took lots of pictures and some videos.

Then we decided to start our adventure! We lucked out and found a pretty popular trail (lots of cars on the side of the road) so we thought it must be a good one. We probably walked about 5-6 miles through what felt and looked like a rain forest. Up, down, all around! It was really fun. We got to a ledge, which had a spectacular view, and walked further down to find a hidden waterfall! Overall a fantastic hike. But after that, we were so sweaty and hot from walking down step slides, rocks, and overgrown tree trunks, we were almost ready to call it a day (we hiked for about 3-4 hours) but I really wanted to go all the way to the top again in hopes the weater cleared so we could see the sea liked I wanted. Sure enough! It was beautiful! And we found out our new camera is amazing because it takes panoramic pictures!



At the top of the mountain after fog cleared, same spot first picture taken!

 On the way back down the mountain, we noticed most of the dirt/ ground is red. We noticed this really cool red burms with waterfall going through them! We stopped to take a picture. I was totally content standing near the waterfall for the picture, but of course Jed had to go above and beyond, he had to stand over the waterfall. While trying to get "the perfect shot" he halfway fell into the waterfall and almost fell all the way in. It was really deep so he had a hard time getting his footing, but he made it.

We headed back to the hotel, had a late snack of bread, cheese, and fruit and decided to jump in the ocean. It felt great! We cleaned up shorty afterwards to check out a resturant our hotel recommended, the Kalaheo Steak and Ribs Resturant. And what a find! It was so delicious! Only a 15 minute drive from our hotel, and home cooked food, and wonderfull service. We started off dinner with complimentary Potato Skins, soup (french onion for Jed) and salad for me, we shared Filet Minon and ended with a triple chocolate cheesecake ala mode! Oh and I had some wine from Germany and is was delicious! We are both exhausted but we are finding ourself watching ABC Family's presentation of Beauty and The Beast, which I am sure we will fall asleep to soon! (BTW Jed is only watching it because I wanted to! What a sweet husband!)

Lazy Day 7-29-11

So we kinda slept in today. We started off the day by attending a seminar hosted by our hotel letting us know how to get around the island and many of the main attractions. It was very informational and it sounded expensive! Luxury cataraman with leather seats, helicopter rides, a huge sugar cane plantation train tours, scuba diving, kayak-ing, and a fire show luau. So we decided to attend the luau tonight at Luau Kalamaku at the Kilohauna Plantation in Kauai Hawaii. But we had the rest of the day to enjoy untill the buffet that night. So we decided to try out our new snorkle gear in front of our hotel at the Poipu Beach. We did not bring our waterproof camera becaue we did not know what to expect from the water and just wanted to get use to the snorkle gear. After some convincing from Jed, and some courage from me, I finally braved the rocks and Jed helped me out in the water! After swallowing a few gulps of VERY SALTY sea water, I got the hang of it. Jed, luckily, is natual in the water. And I am sooo glad we went out! There was actually a snorkle tour right next to us looking at the same fish! Rainbow fish! Dora fish! Scarfish fish! Nemo fish! Schools of fish! The blue boxfish  fish was so pretty! Iy had a bright blue under belly, and kinda spotted and dark on top. Jed kept trying to scare the whitespotted puffer gish to get it to puff up! Didn't work though. The spectacled parrotfish was HUGE and it had a bird beak mouth! It was very timid though. Then we saw these two oval butterfly fish that swam together and kinda followd us for awhile, Jed and I thought it was sweet, grasped hands, and swam together the rest of the time. The ornante wrasser was raindow and very vivid! Beautiful. I promise to take pics tomorrow when we go! Then we headed to the local farmers market and shared fish tacos with tropical salsa, a hot dog with chili and cole slaw, and a macadamiam nut ice cream!

We then decided to check out the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, and it was really fun walking around looking at the cool flowers. While I was taking a picture of a beautiful flower in a tree, I started to walk away after I took the picture, ran into the tree with my head then instantly ran into a short light post in the ground and scrapped my shin. I am clumsy, so it didn't really slow me down. While exploring more in the jungley area, Jed found a gecko and wanted to go pick it up. We both then looked at each other, and said "huh, that's wierd, my legs itch," and we looked down and found like 10 tiny mosquitos on our legs! Needless to say I freaked out and then I noticed a chunk of skin missing out of my shin and it was bleeding right where I found a ton of mosquites and I started shouting, "those bugs took a chunck of skin out of my leg! We are outta here!" So Jed and I started booking it out and we saw some people who follwed us into jungley area and I told them if they didn't have bug spray they should turn around because of the carnivorous bugs and freaked them out. When we got to the car, Jed and I started laughing because we did get eaten alive by the mosquites but that chunk of skin missing was from my clumsy encounter with the light post! Oh well! LOL!!

We went to the hotel and sat on our deck and watched the local chickens (we decided they remind us of our scquirrels at home since there is so many around) and the surf. After relaxing, listening to the waves, we were so tired afterwards we took a quick cat nap before we headed off to the luau. It was fun at the luau, they greated us the a flower and shell leis, and showed us the unlimited bar! We had a few drinks, had an interesting salad. What Jed thought was sugar to sprinkle on the salad or pinapple, we were not sure at first, turned out to be salt! Salty salt! LOL! Then we had purple rolls! It was from the local Poi I guess! They also had purple mashed sweet potaotes! All natural good food! Then the luau itself was amazing! The music was great, the show was fun, and the fire dance was amazing! We took some videos but does not do it justice! Also, in Hawaii, I guess when it rains, it pours because it downed poured for like 20 minutes! Luckily we were inside and covered becuase that would have really sucked! They acutually had to close up the open facility because it rained so much!

On our way home, a HUGE praying mantus became our windshield friend for about a mile. He hung on all the way to the hotel! Jed wanted to grag him, so he got out of the car and got him off our windshield, and by the time I had grabbed the camera and ran around the car, it had climbed up Jed's arm! I took a pic and he moved up onto Jed's head and decided he didn't like that anymore and flew off!

So I think we are ready to call it a night!

Kauai Hawaii 7/28/11

Our first day on our honeymoon! It started reaaaallly early, but we both agree the hardest part was the 6 hour flight from Seattle to Kauai! BUT totally worth it. Our first animal encounter was a chicken, yes I said chicken at the airport! LOL! They are actually all over the place. We actually saw a clan later of a rooster, some chickens, and some pigeons. So I already got blisters on my feet from new shoes  =( so I had to buy new shoes! =) And we bought Jed a new pair as well! We traveled around the island a little to find our hotel and to find some sunscreen and found a cool little hamburger joint called Bubba's, but we got the fish and chips and it was amazing. On our way to the beach we found a little gecko, Jed had the hardest time catching him, but he finally got him and I got a picture. We then walked across the street and there we were, in the Pacific Ocean! It was amaing, and even at 6 o'clock! The sand was still warm and the water was amazing! Jed and I are looking forward to snorkeling soon in the next couple of days. Also on the flight over, we really wanted to order a cheese, meat, and chip tray from the plane for lunch but they ran out so Jed made me the most delicious snack with fresh fruit, chesees, and breads! It was a great way to end our first night.

The Best Day of our Lives

On Sunday July 24, 2011, Jed and I took the plunge and said "I DO!" It was a wonderful day filled with love and joy. I spent most the of the day getting glamified, while Jed went swimming at the lake with his friends. We both decided to do our first glance privately with our photographer before the wedding. It was the best decision we made because we both agreed it was our favorite moment of the day. Jed looked stunningly handsome, and Jed told me I looked beautiful and our photographer caputred that moment for us (which we can't wait to see in 4 weeks). We then continued our pictures together through downtown Spokane, which later took us down a very dirty alleyway to picture "something beautiful in something ugly," is what my photographer told me! I was totally fine with it, and the two bums were nice enough not to beg for change. After and hour down there, we decided to head up to Beacon Hill where the rest of our bridal party awaited us for more pictures! And we had a blast with that. Then came the ceremony. I had been having so much fun with my friends and family I forgot about the walk down the isle! =) Lucikly Beacon Hill (where we had the wedding) had a day of coordinator and kept very good track of me and Jed. While I was waiting at the back of the line, with my groomsmen, bridesmaids, and flower girls, I looked to my dad and said "oh, I am getting a little nervous, " and teared up. My dad comforted me and said he was here for me and Jed was waiting. As I got closer to walk down the isle, I looked around, absored the beautiful (but hot) weather, and felt so loved by all the people who came! When I my dad handed me to Jed, all I could feel was happiness! Joy and laughter filled me, and I giggled with love through our vows. Jed wrote the most beautiful vows I have ever heard, and I barly remembered what I wated to say for mine! Then after Jed and I were pronouned as man and wife, Jed picked me up, kissed me, crossed over the bridge, kissed me again, and put me down. We than ran down the isle hand in hand to Colbie Colliets 'I Do.' We signed our marriage certificates and the party started! We were re-introduced as husband and wife, ate dinner, and mingled with the guests. Truthfully the night went by so fast, before I knew it, it was cake cutting time, toast time (which the best man, the maid of honor, and my father gave the best speeches ever!), and then came our first dance. Jed and I have practiced a few times, but we gave it our best to Avenged Sevenfold 'Seize the Day' dancing the fox trot. I giggled most of the time and had a blast. Then my dad and I danced to Heartland 'I loved her first' and my dad and I talked about all the things I have accomplised through life with him by my side. Jed and his mother danced to Beatles 'All my loving' while singing to one another, it was so sweet. Next came the bouquet handoff, I decided not to do a toss, since most people do not enjoy it so I handed if off to my maid of honor, Ailea because I knew she has talked about marriage with her current boyfriend Charlie. It was pretty funny because we made it into a football play with a touchdown and everything! After some fun dancing with our guest, Jed and I decided to head to our get-a-way car and live happliy ever after! We left in an beautiful 67 chevy convertible that took us to our honeymoon suite at the Davenport Hotel. In the morning we ordered breakfast in bed and had lunch later at the hotel. Thursday we leave for our honeymoon to Hawaii for one week of bliss! Happily ever after begins for Jed and Loretta Evans.