Jenn & Justin's Visit

Last Friday we got our latest vacationing visitors. Just a brief visit though as Justin and Jenn were wrapping up a week long trip to Maui with Justin's family. They were still kind enough to make a one night stop over on Oahu with us on their way back.

One of the nice things about visitors is actually having the excuse to do touristy activities in the place you live. This visit included standard (but necessary) the circle island tour up the Windward side, across the North Shore and back down the middle. The stop at Sharks Cove was entertaining as it was low tide and there where a million crabs and snails to catch. Hermit crabs are too cute with their beady little blue eyes and assortment of shells. My favorite little guy was as Justin put it "living well beyond his means" because he was this little thing in a giant shell that he couldn't seem to get off the sand. Got a good chuckle from that poor guy. Must be a tough real estate market though because every shell we picked up had something in it. Tough neighborhood.

This trip to the North Shore we FINALLY got to stop at Matsumoto's for the famous shave ice. Okay, so you can get shave ice at several place across the island but this place is widely regarded as THE place to get it. Usually the line is out the door and around the corner but a combination of kinda rainy weather and right before closing meant that we finally got to go! Love that stuff. Kinda like a snow cone but MUCH better. Later that evening, we had dinner at Kona Brewing Co., Yooper's favorite but I don't think it's the food :)

Saturday we had a bit of time before their flight so after dropping their luggage off at the airport we went to Pearl Harbor. Despite the history and the grave like atmosphere of the place it was interesting. Actually learned a thing or two which really wasn't that hard given I have absolutely no retention for historical facts. My main impression of the place though was how sad it was that the Park Service has let the place get so run down. The seats in the theater had were badly worn. The film was very old dated and vintage, not in a good way. The site and general attractions were poorly laid out, etc. Such a huge attraction and such an important site in US history should have a little more elegance and attention to detail. I'm told the difficulty has to do with funding and the fact that the site is sinking into the harbor. I have to believe that an entrance fee, which there wasn't one, and a little site remediation would take care of most of that but what do I know?

One interesting note though. The USS Arizona is STILL after 45 years, leaking oil. You can actually look over the side at the memorial and see huge globules of black oil rising to the surface and disappearing into a rainbow haze on the water's surface. Kinda eerie.

Anyway, fun visit. It's great living somewhere that people actually spend vacation time at to come see you. So who's next?