Sundance: Mountains in a Golden Hue

 

Last week I did the ski lift at Sundance with my parents. The colors in the mountains are so stunning right now. It's crazy how when I first moved here the Autumn colors put me off a little, looking like fruity pebble cereal, but now I love these colors.  The mountains still have a lot of green as well, which is amazing, so paired with the bright oranges and yellows the colors were even more vibrant. Sadly the daily lifts are closed for the season, but next year it would be fun to once again ride the lifts.

This Hawkeye trail sign popped up and my Mom was like, "M.A.S.H!" and I was like, "Marvel"! Heh, different generations. :P

A zoom in of Bridal Veil Falls and that other waterfall (upper or lower falls?) down Provo Canyon. It's amazing how, when looking up at the waterfalls, they look like they're coming out of the top of the mountain, yet when looking from above the waterfalls are so small, and there's so much mountain above them. Perspective.

Have a wonderful day! Love this time of year. Sarah. :0)

Visiting Virgin Utah and Getting My Fortune from Pappy

Okay, he's kinda creepy, but not as creepy as that alien from the fortune machine in Primm Nevada.

 

"You have not been wise with your money lately. It is important to reward yourself for your hard work, but you must learn that saving your riches now will pay off in the future. 'A fool and his money will soon part.' Remember this next time you receive a sum of money and try to manage it wisely."

 

That's just really good advice. 

Also, can you imagine someone asking where you're from, and you answer, "I'm from Virgin Utah..." As of 2020 there were 707 people who had that honor. Okay, in all honesty Virgin River Gorge is absolutely gorgeous, and the Virgin River goes through Zion national park as well. It's the main river actually, and the water that's walked through while hiking The Narrows. So, so beautiful.

The Virgin Trading Post is a place I've passed several times but never stopped, so this last time it was nice to finally have my curiosity explored. Well, it's a typical tourist trap with standard souvenir offerings. The kinda place that's fun checking out at least once, and it's good enough. Though, I'm a sucker for a good ol' tourist trap. :D

The beautiful Utah desert.

C'est Fini,

Sarah :0)

A Tour Around O'ahu, Hawaii

 Below is what I wrote in a journal. Heh, easier to copy paste than rewrite anew. :P

"What a wonderful, whirlwind day touring the entire island of O'ahu. The day started bright and early before 6 am, a quick visit for peanut butter sandwiches at the ABC store, and then patiently waiting for our bus.

 

We were picked up at 7:30 and sat in the front row, right in front of the big window, so we had an incredible view the whole drive.

 

"Our first stop was at the Halona blow hole. We were here the other day on the blue line, only this time we actually saw the water fly up when waves crashed. Must be a tide thing. Drove through really rich areas and areas populated by Latter-Day Saints.

 

"Stopped at the Japanese Byodo-In Temple where Mom and I rang the giant bell, saw the Buddha, and did seriously fast souvenir shopping. We stopped in the Waimea Valley for lunch. I had the amazingly tasty shrimp while Mom had the beef patty covered in gravy. After this we walked to the Wailele Waterfall, 3/4 miles each way. We didn't swim, though the last time Mom visited she did go into the water. We got Dole whip at the Dole Plantation. And then enjoyed grand vistas at a lookout."

 

There's so many tours by different companies that go around O'ahu, some going to the same spots, and some different.  We went through Polynesian Adventure.

This was such a beautiful, wonderful day. :0)

  

Mahalo,

Sarah

Pictures by Sarah and Robin Stufflebeam

The Charming Trolley's of Waikiki

What's more tourist than doing a hop off/hop on bus?  I love them. They're a great way to see city and sights, and an easy way to get around for a flat fee, stopping at important/fun places.  Waikiki has a trolley, simply called the Waikiki Trolley, which has three routes.

The Blue Line: “Coastline / Diamond Head”

 

"The Blue Line is called “Coastline / Diamond Head” Line for a reason: It takes you to Diamond Head, one of the most iconic natural landmarks of Hawaii and through Kalanianaole Highway which is famous for its rugged cliffs and dramatic ocean-scapes."

 

Some of the stops are Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Diamond Head, Halona Blow Hole, and the Sea Life Park.

Going down the interstate highway (ha ha ha ha) in an open air trolley is really fun. :D

 

 

Red Line: "Heroes and Legends"

"Hawaii has its own story to tell those who are interested in listening. This is where the Red Line shines. This line takes you through Hawaii’s cultural and historical past, from the time of kings and queens through its importance in WWII and even the cultures that influence it to this day. Truly, a Hawaiian vacation is incomplete without jumping aboard the Red Line."

 

Stops include: Honolulu Museum of Art, State Capitol / ‘Iolani Palace, Punchbowl Crater, Chinatown, Downtown Honolulu, and Hawaii Theatre.

 

A really cool Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building. :D

 

Notable buildings around Honolulu plus a view point overlooking Waikiki.

It was raining so the view was a little misty.

 

Pink Line: Ala Moana Shopping

"Hawaii is the epicenter of the Pacific, and it shows: Asian cuisine mingling with popular American comfort food, high-end fashion alongside popular streetwear that suit everyone’s comfort and style. You can find all these throughout Waikiki, but your Hawaiian vacation isn’t complete without a visit to Ala Moana Center–Hawaii’s Center–where all things shopping and dining collide into a truly Hawaiian experience. So much so that Ala Moana isn’t just for visitors–it’s a popular shopping mall for locals as well."

 

This route goes around Waikiki, stopping near hotels and looping to Ala Moana, the largest open air mall in the world.

 

I found Harajuku style crepes!  I totally had one. Yum.

Where Gilligan's Island voyage started.

If they only knew what their three hour tour would turn into. :\

Mahalo,

Sarah