Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Welcome October!
We were walking in a park near our home today
when a dozen *eagles came from nowhere and soared overhead, on a mission to somewhere.
The most I’ve seen in the sky at once – though I couldn’t capture them all on my phone – only ten minutes from my house.
But why?
And then we remembered: the salmon are running!
Oh Joy!
Welcome, October!
~ Susanne
*P.S. One of the comments pointed out these are likely migrating turkey vultures not bald eagles. Even after studying the silhouettes, it’s hard for me to tell the difference as we do have a large bald eagle population in the Seattle area, because of Puget Sound, and Lake Washington, which is nearby. And the salmon are also starting to run in the local rivers, which will draw more eagles to feed. (I hope to go down to the Cedar River in the next week and see them.)
After more consideration I agree these are likely migrating turkey vultures, based on smaller head size. Still pretty cool, as I don’t remember seeing them before! One thing about blogging is I learn something new every day!
Volcanoes through the #Window – From Seattle to Hawaii
A few weeks ago, we left Seattle for the Big Island of Hawaii and as usual I had the window seat. (Thanks, dear.)
It’s always wonderful to see Mt. Rainier looming above the surrounding landscape.
Did you know Mt. Rainier is an active volcano? Though the last major eruption was over a thousand years ago, geologists closely monitor the mountain.
Six hours later we approached the Big Island, the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands, made up of five volcanoes.
Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano takes up most of the island so you almost don’t realize you’re looking at it. The giant shield volcano has mostly gentle slopes and last erupted in 2022.
Mauna Kea can be seen in the distance, identified by the telescopes on top.
For a look at the world’s most active volcano, Kilauea, we headed to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It’s been spewing lava regularly this year, but unfortunately, we visited in between ‘events.’
But there’s lava of all ages everywhere on the Big Island, from eons of eruptions.
We drove through some old lava fields on the Chain of Craters Road
to the end where it meets the Pacific Ocean.
Flowing lava means the island continues to grow and new black sand beaches are formed.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach was one of the reasons I choose the Big Island for our first trip to Hawaii many years ago. I still love it.
The black sand made of basalt was created by lava flowing into the ocean which explodes as it reaches the ocean and cools. Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is frequented by endangered, hawksbill and green turtles which can often be seen basking on the black sand.
I wonder if the turtles choose this beach to rest because they blend in so well.
After a week on the Big Island we flew out from Hilo and once again I scored the window seat
and had close ups of Mauna Kea. The dormant shield volcano is the tallest mountain on earth when measured from its ocean base to peak, approximately 33,500 feet.
We touched down on Oahu an hour later for the next leg of our vacation
and though there are no active volcanoes on Oahu there are remnants, the most notable, Diamond Head.
After 11 days in Hawaii, we were ready for home and touched down in Seattle, where I managed to capture Mt. Rainier through the window again. (Even though I gave Bob the window seat in case you wondered.)
Sharing my #Window views with #Sunday Stills.
I’ll have more to share from our Hawaiian adventures later.
~ Susanne
Fall in the Great Northwest – at Lincoln Park with a Blast from the Past
As much as I LOVE Hawaii – and in many ways wish I was still there – I’m happy to be back in the Pacific Northwest for the changing of the seasons and the beauty of fall.
There was a chill in the air yesterday and the sun was high in the sky, as we did our first fall hike at Lincoln Park in West Seattle.
We walked the path on Puget Sound, sometimes on the walkway, sometimes on the beach.
I love to see what colorful life forms I may find among the pretty rocks. (Not your typical Hawaiian beach.)
I look for life in the water too, hoping to see a whale (it happened once) but I only saw a harbor seal.
We said hello to the Troll, one of many commissioned in the area
then took the trail up through the woods to the bluff above
enjoying the freshness of the forest and the musty fragrance of fallen leaves!
We continued on through the trees on the bluff overlooking the water,
then walked through a grove of Redwoods,
passed by a giant Maple,
and back to the car in a perfect loop.
Afterwards, we stopped by Spud’s Fish and Chips where the food is great and my great grandfather’s pictures adorn the walls (O.T. Frasch was a notable early Seattle photographer.)
Many of the pictures were of Luna Park, the Coney Island of the west.
But there were others too,
including a picture of the famous Fauntleroy Maple, which I knew was the one we passed. (Fauntleroy Park was the earlier name for Lincoln Park.)
Were those under the tree relatives of mine? I’ll never know for sure.
And life goes on.
~ Susanne
Don’t Miss Oahu’s Windward Coast!
A first trip to Hawaii should include Oahu, the Gathering Place, if only to see iconic Diamond Head and Waikiki; perhaps that’s why it’s the most visited of the Hawaiian Islands.
But there’s so much more! Rent a car or take one of many tours around the island, to get a closeup of Oahu’s rugged coastline.
We’ve visited Oahu many times and never get tired of it. On our last trip, we took the loop around the southeastern (windward) side of the island, from Waikiki, past Diamond Head, up to Makapu’u Head and to Waimanalo.
The views were spectacular.
We stopped at Halona Overlook and Blowhole, where you can look down upon Halona Cove, a private little beauty of a beach that featured prominently in a movie deep in the last century, From Here to Eternity.
We didn’t swim, but we did enjoy the crashing waves and Blowhole nearby, which can shoot water high into the sky. It wasn’t very active when we were there but here it is anyway.
That’s Sandy Beach in the distance, where only experienced swimmers should try bodysurfing.
Next was Makapu’u Overlook, with offshore islands in the distance and information about the Sanctuary for Humpback Whales. Humpbacks are in Hawaii from November to April, same time as I’d like to be there.
In the distance is Makapu’u Beach, another one enjoyed mostly by locals, who can handle the pounding waves.
Soon we arrived at the small town of Waimanalo, ready for lunch.
According to the guidebook, Oahu Revealed, ” After Makapu’u you’re driving through Hawaiian Homelands and the town of Waimanalo. In 1920 the government set aside over 200,000 acres of land to be used only by people of Hawaiian descent. Waimanalo is such a place.”
The town was chill and authentic. We ate at Hawaiian Island Cafe and it was simple, and delicious. My two eggs were cooked perfectly and served over rice, with sausage, a side of fresh spinach with sweet dressing, and bread. The iced tea I ordered was ready to go by the time I left; they made it from scratch, on Island time. (I’d love to go back again for dinner, maybe next time. Check out the menu above.)
The town was all beach on one side with the dramatic Ko’olau Mountain Range on the other. Here’s a picture of those mountains from our visit to Kualoa Ranch, which I’ll save for a later post.
~ Susanne
Yellow and Orange at Soos Creek and Hawaiian Sunset
I’m back from Hawaii but had this post prepared before I left. I thought I’d have more pictures to add, and I do but not many.
I’d visited Soos Creek Botanical Garden recently, not Sue’s Creek, looking for yellow and orange, since my own garden is sorely lacking in it, for the Sunday Stills Color Challenge.
I found plenty.
In the Sunflowers,
In yellow flowers I should know the name of but don’t.
In orange Dahlias,
some, heavy with heads bowed to the ground.
And in Anemones, what cute button centers!
I didn’t find much yellow or orange in Hawaii except of course, at sunset.
And that will have to do.
Be back later, with more from the islands!
~ Susanne
Walking Waikiki
Hello Oahu!
After a week on the Big Island, we landed on Oahu for more fun in the sun.
One day, Bob went to Pearl Harbor while I stayed behind and opted for a beach day. Here’s what that looked like.
I left our hotel on the west end of Waikiki, and headed past the Hilton lagoon to the other end of Waikiki nearer to Diamond Head.
I didn’t have a plan so I just kept walking and walking, wowed by the colors of the waves crashing to shore.
At one point I lost the beach and found myself in the high rent district, with stores like Louis Vuitton, Prada and Tiffany.
But I soon found my way back to the beach again
and passed the Pink Lady, the Royal Hawaiian luxury hotel opened in 1927.
Near the large banyan tree I looked for the iconic statue of Duke Paoa Kamanahoku, Olympic gold medal swimmer and father of modern surfing.
I made it to Kapiolani Park and the Honolulu Zoo before turning back.
According to my Fitbit, I walked almost 5 miles on my outing, and returned hot and happy.
After a cold shower and a bite to eat, I went to the pool to cool down.
A completely satisfying day.
Did you know Honolulu has the longest life expectancy of any U.S. city? I think I know why.
Susanne
More Postcards from the Big Island
I’ll keep words to a minimum in the spirit of a postcard, but I’m delighted to share more pictures from our Hawaii adventures!
Waipio Overlook
Little cutie on the trail to Akaka Falls
Akaka Falls 442 ft
Kilauea Volcano, in between eruptions
Chain of Craters Road to the ocean
Honu at Punulu’u Black Sand Beach!
Hawaiian green sea turtles!
I’m in love!
Rainbow Falls without the rainbow
Shave Ice for breakfast, why not the Lilikoi Dreamsicle?
Liliulokilani Gardens
Hilo sunrise
When the clouds lift, with views of Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain on earth from its base under the ocean, to its peak of 13,803 ft above sea level.
Will be off to Oahu for more adventures. Aloha till then.
Susanne
Postcards from Kona
Greetings from the Big Island of Hawaii!
First of all, isn’t it grand that Hurricane Kiko decided to weaken and move northwest? We haven’t seen a hint of trouble here.
Second, I didn’t necessarily plan to blog on vacation, but I don’t see the harm in sending a few postcards, do you? So you here go, from our first few days on the west side of the Big Island.
From our hotel in Kona at sunrise, the views were marvelous.
The hotel is situated perfectly with its own beach on Kailua Bay, next to the historic grounds where King Kamehameha I ruled until his death in 1819.
From the Pololu Overlook, at the northern tip of the island.
You can take the trail down to the beach below but it’s steep and hot coming back up, so we didn’t.
From the Place of Refuge, Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, an important ceremonial site where people could escape to, if they broke the law (kapu).
Defeated warriors, women and children, could also take refuge here during times of war, a wonderful idea, I think, one we could use today.
There may be more postcards to come but this will do for now.
Aloha!
Susanne
Just a Kitty in a Tray
I went downstairs looking for Benji
and this is what I saw.
Just a kitty in a tray.
Happy Caturday from Susanne and Benji!
Sharing with #SixWordSaturday
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 