Rainy Homecoming

After 7 beautiful days in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, we came home on Monday night. To rain. And more rain. And darkness.

I want to go back. I loved it there. I miss the warmth and sunshine. The sunsets were incredible, varying between dark red and purple...I think because of the volcanic fog ("VOG").

I also miss sleeping late and eating too much and just generally being lazy.

Unfortunately...it's back to the grind...

But before I go, I just have to share a few memories of our last week of vacation…

View from condo lanai in Kailua-Kona

Dead puffer fish...food for crabs...YUM!

Another sunset....surfers in the distance

Another sunset...at the nearby marina

One of the highlights of the trip for me was hiking the Kilauea Iki crater with Lara (the daughter of hub's friend)...

There are two craters...Kilauea and Kilauea Iki (which means "small Kilauea"). Kilauea is currently very active, and the Park Service won't let anyone get close enough to actually see the lava. Meanwhile, the last time Iki erupted was in 1959; still the crater floor still vents steam and you can feel the heat through your shoes. The information from the Park Service:

My friend and I finished it in 1 hour and 15 minutes...but then we're both a bit crazy. I realized after we had finished that I tweaked my ankle a little (I had injured this same ankle badly about 5 years ago) and it's been swollen, but not too painful.

View from above the crater (Kileaua steam in background)

Active Kilauea crater in the distance

Here I am at the floor of the Kilauea Iki crater...what an eerie place!

It was a great trip and although in some ways I want to go back...it's good to be home with my buddy B, in my own bed, and back in my routine. Even though I started out great food-wise, I gained 5 lbs in the last 2 weeks. But I'm already back on track. Atkins bar for breakfast, yogurt and fruit for lunch, soup for dinner…I'm trying to get caught up at work, and then I'll have a chance to visit all my buddies' blogs. See you all soon!

(P.S. I did talk to hub about how he treats me. I wasn't accusatory or mean, but I told him that I just need to be treated nicely. Please…think before you speak. Consider how your tone and your words can hurt. I'm hoping he'll take our conversation to heart. We'll see.)