Pineapples with PEACH!

Being that we LIVE in Hawaii now, PEACH and I think it best that we get all of the "touristy" stuff out of the way up front so that we start to conform and fit in within a certain amount of time. Not really sure if my pasty skin and freckles will ever fit in over here, but I can try. So yesterday, we took a trip up to the center part of the island to the Dole Plantation in Wahiawa. 

(And may I just say, it's hard to continue this acronym nonsense when his name is as long as the acronym he wants me to use.)

May I first express to you Corey's love for Pineapple. All he has been able to talk about is visiting the Dole Plantation again and eating pineapple. He even planned on eating it to the brink of wearing away the inside of his mouth, then switching to the low acid pineapple.  So naturally, I was there to cheer him on. It was quite beautiful when we got there. 

We walked around the store a bit where we found just about anything you could imagine...in pineapple. Pineapple candy, pineapple jelly, pineapple salad dressing, pineapple candles, pineapple relish on a hot dog. We stuck with the pineapple ice cream and some candy. Oh, and Corey's notorious shot glasses. And where Corey gets a shot glass...I get a Christmas ornament. 

While there, they had an area where you could pick an oyster, open it and see if you got a pearl inside. I did! I remember my grandmama and granddaddy did this when they visited Hawaii a few years back and she got hers set in a ring, so I did the same. So now I have a beautiful pink pearl and crystal ring. I'm quite fond of it.

We took a ride on the Pineapple Express, their small train that rides around the plantation. Filled with cutesy music and narrating, it actually allowed you to see some beautiful flowers, plants and views. And yes...they have tractors in Hawaii! I feel at home!

Banana Trees

Once we left the Dole Plantation, we decided to drive about 15 minutes north and go see North Shore. 

Hello ocean. It's so blue it almost blends right in with the sky.

 We stopped and had lunch at this great Seafood/Mexican restaurant (i.e. Fish Tacos!). You can't imagine how much better the seafood is here. The fish is so fresh and there are so many different types to choose from. Although I miss my catfish from back home, it doesn't get much better than this. 

We drove on, trying to get to Pipeline...but so was everyone else on the island it seemed. So we stopped about halfway to put our toes in the sand, and boy was it gorgeous!

Although we knew how big the waves were out there, we definitely underestimated how high up they came, and the power they possessed. Needless to say, we ended up with soaked pant legs and a sandy car. 

After a long day, we hit the hay only to wake this morning at 8:30am to the last 1:30 of the SEC championship basketball game (which our Wildcats won). This is gonna take some getting used to. 


We hit the gym early this morning as we were both feeling like we've entered some sort of time warp where old habits take over your life and you forget that you gain weight when you eat way more than you exercise. 


After pumping iron, we decided we'd take a walk down to the USS Utah memorial which is on the same property as our hotel. 

The USS Utah capsized after being hit by three torpedoes and was later pulled up to it's right position to clear the channel for ships to come through. This is it laying on it's side. 

Only one man was saved from inside the USS Utah after it capsized.

It's very easy to forget what happened at this place. You come on and off base multiple times a day and the area has been reconstructed and modernized with bridges and lighting, roads and buildings. But when you walk up to the water and see this sight, it's hard to forget how men and women give their lives to defend this nation and how brave they remain through the trials and tribulations of our country. Past and present. 


For lunch we went to this local place called The Dixie Grill. Oh yeah. Their slogan..."Put some South in your mouth". You know we were there! A place in Hawaii that actually serves sweet tea! Praise the Lord! They had really good pulled pork and brisket, with BBQ sauce from all the different regions of the south. I'm really glad we've got a place to run to when we're feelin' a little homesick for some southern food. Now, if only they had some collard greens. 


We went to check out Hickam AFB where they have a much calmer Commissary and BX (Base Exchange). Might be shoppin' there from now on. They are ocean side, so we drove down to take a look. We found a people beach, and a doggie beach. Might be spending some time at the latter after we've settled in to our house! We will see :)


Corey's back to the grind tomorrow, doing more check-in things and leaving me alone for the day. But I've got plenty on my agenda. It takes a lot to shift two lives into a new state!


We're missin' everyone and hope yall are well! Lots of love!


Aloha