A Return to Paradise

Howdy folks!

Over the past couple of weeks, I made my way to the Hawaiian islands; otherwise, known as paradise here on Earth.  I wanted to see all of the major islands of Hawaii this year.  In combination with my trip six months ago, I visited them all except Lanai.  (One day, I will have to ask Larry Ellison if he can give me the grand tour of his island!)  Now, I can reflect on the Hawaiian islands as vacation destinations as well as places to settle.

All the islands are neat. Maui is gorgeous, but a bit on the tourist-side.  Molokai is beautiful, but more limited provision-wise.  The Big Island is big but still growing volcanically.  Oahu is the most developed, yet has awesome naturalism as well.  Kauai is the island I like the best because of the namesake gardens, (the “Garden Isle,”) landscapes, and mellowness of its people.

The popular saying is “you have to travel through hell to get to heaven.”  For me, this was the case as I traveled in my RV through the fiery depths of the Earth’s skin in Death Valley National Monument for my flight to Hawaii.  And, I did so without breaking a sweat!  Just kidding, as I perspired every time I walked out into the 118 degree sun for a couple of minutes.  I spent one night at the Furnace Creek hook-up campground, and was one of only two RVs there.

Vacation seasons in Death Valley are reversed.  The busy times of the year are October through March, when I read most of the campgrounds are full, and reservations recommended.  One should plan accordingly if you visit this somewhat monotone, yet always interesting, national park.  For instance, wait a few years if you want to see Scotty’s Castle in the park.  It was wiped out by a flood, ironically, in the driest place in North America.

I return to the mainland, and the Wander, later this month, when you can expect to read my next report from the Road.  Until we meet again, mahalo for visiting!

[See related pictures from Kauai and Death Valley on the page “Return to Paradise” in the Menu above.]