70 Years

A few years ago, The Fuzz and Family, had the opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor. It was a gloomy day, with a bit of rain, when we were there. Much like here today.

It is good for us to remember that Sunday morning, 70 years ago, when the world changed for America.

Day of Infamy

The Fuzz's many Long-time readers will remember our trip to the Tropical Paradise this spring. There we had the opportunity to tour the Arizona Memorial, courtesy of the US Navy. So it seems apropriate to remember that here, on today, Dec. 7, 2007.




While the raid was devastating, it did not achieve everything desired. Originally, the plan called for a 3rd wave. When it was realized that the American Aircraft Carriers were not in port, there was concern that they might be looking to attack the Japanese fleet, so the 3rd wave was canceled. The navy's tank farm was not hit as it was feared the smoke would obscure the harbor, sparing a 2 year supply of fuel. And the repair facilities at the Naval Yard escaped destruction. This resulted in all but 4 (I believe) ships eventually returning to action.

There are a number of theories regarding the politics behind this event, but it is said, that when Winston Churchill heard the news, he went to bed peacefully, "Knowing we had won".

The H1 Zipper

Been home for a few days now, kids are back in school, back to work, things are more or less normal.
This thing is back in Honolulu, but it was something differant, at least to me. Maybe they have one somewhere else, but it was a first for me. This is a gigantic "zipper". To deal with the morning, and evening commute, they use this to isolate one lane on the freeway so it can be used in the most needed direction. This is not uncommon, I know, the even do something like this in the Big City near here. But I'd never heard of this system. After the morning rush, they come along with some kind of contraption, ( unfortunately I never got to see it in action ) and move this zipper looking thing to the other side of the lane, and then it is used in the opposite direction. It ends up as a lane between 2 cement barriers. You can only get out in a couple of places. I don't know what happens when someone breaks down. Maybe in a Tropical Paradise those kind of things don't happen.
By the way, how can they have an "Interstate" on an Island ?

Home At Last

Alas, it was time to leave this Tropical Paradise. Off to the airport for that Homeward Bounder. This was one of those Night Flights. There at the Island Airport the USDA people ripped us off for our fruit snacks. Of course after security you could buy more fruit, they would sell you 3 pineapples for $23. We just let that one go.

Here is the Big Airplane we rode in all the way to Phoenix. I had hoped to sleep on this one, but not much luck there. Phoenix is where we had to change planes, airlines, and terminals. So it's back though security, where they strip search your feet. Phoenix is also where our luck began to change. After we all got onto, and into, the airplane, and even backed out of the gate, something went wrong with the airplane. The pilot said we must return to the gate. So we rode around in the airplane on the ground to the mechanic's privet work area. I think it was a good thing to fix the airplane before we were up in the air, even if it made us a hour late. It doesn't seem like a good idea to try to fly around in a broken airplane. But while we were waiting they gave us all free headphones so we could watch the TV and listen to the radio while we had to wait and worry about our connections. This was good 'cause now we could watch the in-flight movie for free. It was about Beatrix Potter, but I don't think she ever had to ride an airplane. Of course we missed our connection, but the airplane people took care of every thing and gave us tickets for the next one. And so after a short hop over the mountains, we landed in the Big City. Our bags even made it with us.
Now there was just a shuttle bus ride to our own vehicle. We found the car, and loaded the bags, and cranked it up, almost. The key fit OK, and even turned, but there was no reaction, zip, nada. Even as we were enjoying that Tropical Paradise, our battery was slowly dying there at the airport parking lot. We were stranded in a sea of parked automobiles. Finally a lady in an airport truck gave us a jump off. I got the impression that this is not uncommon. Then, there was the transmission problem on the way home. But I won't go into that now.
Apparently there was some cold weather while we were enjoying the sun and surf. This is what happened to the tender leaves on our fig bush while we were gone. But they'll come back.
It was a great trip, but of course, it's good to be home.

North Shore

We rode over to the North Shore of the island. This is the surfing mecca of the world I guess. My Sweetie knows all about this sort of thing, having grown up on the California coast. But the legendary surf was not cooperating, and we missed those 20ft. waves. We did enjoy a dip in what surf there was. The water is so clear you can see the bottom even when you're out deep, and the waves were still quite powerful, but fun. Here you can see how some folks live on this Tropical Paradise amid the palm trees overlooking the best surfing beaches. Looks rough, doesn't it.
After a nice swim, we hit the tourist places for a bite to eat. Couldn't pass up this shot of this Surfmobile here. Pretty flashy. My Sweetie and I took in a couple Art Galleries, where Young Daughter bought a couple small prints to hang on the wall at home. I got me a Conch Shell, now I have to learn how to blow it.
Well, as they say, all good things must come to an end. It's been great, but it's time to leave this Island Paradise, and head back to reality, work, and school. The airport thing is a drag, but in truth, it will be good to be home.

Aloha.

Beach Camp

We've been camping on the beach for a couple nights. This is a view from our camp. The small island to the left of the tree seemed to look like a dragon's head to us. There even seemed to be an eyeball in the appropriate place when the light was right. The headland visible though the tree is where the Makapu'u lighthouse is located, but you can't really see it in this shot. It was visible when the sun hit it though. Our camp was right on the beach, which was nice, but quite breezy. Actually very breezy. What with the wind and the sand, (which doesn't hold a stake very well) we had a time getting the tents set up. We finally had to move a vehicle, and tie the tent to it.
That worked OK. These guys were taking advantage of the wind though, riding around behind these kite things. We spent a day chilling on the beach, riding the surf and drinking beer. I made sure to use that sun blocking stuff, but unfortunately forgot about the old bald spot.
This campsite was at Bellows AFB. It seems that at the time of the Dec. 7 attack, a Japanese midget sub ran aground here. In the picture it was right where we were camped. But it's not here now.
This last one is of the waves crashing onto the rocks. If you look close, you should be able to see the water shooting up out of the "blowhole" in the rock. It was pretty impressive.

Polynesian Cultural Stuff

Here is this cool canoe we saw at the Polynesian Cultural Place. Air Force Daughter got us all tickets to see this place, eat the Luau, and watch the Extravaganza later. This place was kinda like a theme park, but still interesting in it's way. We saw the Maori exhibit, and having watched and enjoyed "Whale Rider" it was nice to see the exhibit. There were "villages" from various island cultures.
We avoided the "canoe" ride on the little pond though. Then it was time for the Luau. This was held in a big pavilion, and served cafeteria style. I don't know if that is traditional or not, but the food was OK, and not what we would eat at home, especially the purple bread. They also put on a show there that was supposed to show what was traditionally done at this sort of thing. This is some of the dancing.
After the feast, we stoped in at the IMAX movie. This may have been an unwise thing, since sitting close to that gigantical screen, with a full tummy, was somewhat more exciting than I would have prefered at the time. But we all survived the aerial photography and learned a bunch of stuff about coral reefs. We finished the evening with the Big Extravaganza. It was actually pretty good with all the dancing and playing with fire and all. Playing with fire is always cool. I'll just say that those dancers got quite a work out there.
We don't often go in for these kind of things, but every now and then it's good for a change. We even went to Stone Mt. by Atlanta once to see the light show. We got to see some really different country in crossing the island though the mountains. This area is a lot different than by Honolulu.

Makapuu Lighthouse

This is the Makapuu Lighthouse. We took a hike up the mountain to see it and admire the view. This is supposed to be a good place to see whales also, and we did get a glimpse of a few flippers. There is a plaque up there in memorial of an air crew who after a long patrol in lousy weather, mistook the light for another, and flew into the side of the mountain. This thing is really high above the water. You can see the waves crashing against the rocks far below. On the way up the trail, we had a good look at this old volcanical crater. There are a bunch of cacti and other desert looking plants out there, not what I
really expected from a Tropical Paradise. But I guess there is such a thing as a Desert Island. But this isn't one of them. We hope to camp out on the beach tonight, surrounded by the sand and the surf.

Chinatown

After the Botanical Garden, we slid on into Chinatown, Honolulu style. My Sweetie, being from California, is more familiar with these sort of things, I guess I'm a bit provincial in comparison. That's why she usually drives in the Big City. And Honolulu is the Big City. Any way, We had some Chopstickie lunch and walked around a bit, and poked around in some shops. She picked up some tropical type produce, and then we slipped out of town.

Gardens

Yesterday, My Sweetie and I went up to the Botanical Garden. It was pretty impressive. Unfortunately, the pictures don't do it justice. The flora here is a lot different than at home, big surprise, right ? Sometimes what looks like something you recognize isn't what you thought when you take a good look. Different sights, different smells, but that's one reason we travel.
There is a lot of difference in the climate between Honolulu and the mountains ( where this garden is ). It was much wetter up there, like a rain forest or something.
Well, I gotta go, Bye bye.

Arizona Memorial

Today ( actually, yesterday now ) was the day for our Pearl Harbor tour. As guests of the Air Force we were set up with the special military tour, much cozier and personal. This is not the boat we rode, it is the Admral's "Barge".In my youth I lived for a time near the Erie Cannal, And I saw plenty of barges. None of them looked like this one. Aparently, things are diferent for admrals.This vessel, however, is in diferant condithion. This is what is left of the Utah. It seems that before our friends the japanise were sending us Toyotas, they were seending bombs. The Utah was a recipreant of a few. Here is a look at the Arazona, the finaal resting place of many of our sailors. This happened like, over 65 years ago and the oil is still seeping from the hulk. In the memorial the smell of fuel oil is still strong. You can see the rainbow paterns floating on the surface as you study the ship below.

Life's a Beach

Went to a huge swap meet this morning, but you can do that any where, can't you. But latter we reverted to more traditional activities, and went to the beach. That's always appropriate at times like this. I know many folks have this opportunity all the time, but the beach is a long pull from our little home town. So we took the plunge literally.
After a pleasant swim in the surf, my Sweetie and me, kicked back on the sand and just enjoyed the view. I'll try to get some more on latter, but for now it's time to party.

Aloha, Y"all

Airborne at last. Liftoff early (very early) monday morning. First stop, Atlanta. They say yoou always haveto go though here, but, personally, this is the first time I've been here. Been to stone Mt. to see the light show, but not the airport.
After a brief stop, and some grub, in Phoenix, on to Hawaii. We are visiting family here at Hickam AF Base located on this Tropical Paridise.This mornig as we were dealing with the Jetlag, we took a brief walking tour. This is the famous Watertower that survived that "Day of Infamy" we all remember even if we weren't born at the time. Doesn't really look like a water tower to me, but that's what it was at the time.We also walked out along the chanel to the harbor and saw this cool ship leaving port. Who knows what new advetures await us on the marrow !
I won't bore you with the weather details, let me just say it's been much nicer than North Carolina this past week. So, for now Aloha.