Hawaii-- 1 of 50

(01/17/2010)

tomorrow I'm going to Hawaii. I've been there so many times before, but this time will be so fun because I'm going with Rachel, my very best friend, and I'm going to a new island, Maui. Im excited to get out of the rain and I'm excited to see a new part of the most interesting, and only, island in the United States. Ideally I would fly US Air to Maui from SBA to PHX to OGG (Maui), but I will be flying AA on a zed fare for 37 dollars from SBA to LAX. I would be flying UA out of SBA, but they are booked full and i cannot jeopardize missing the best connection to OGG. And its in FIRST CLASS!

MAUI DAY 1 (01/18/2010)

Hawaii flight was amazing! Rachel and I had a great time with our FABulous flight attendant. She was us in about 40 years older than us but still kickin!!! As soon as we landed we went to the rental car facility. We used a code for US Airways and got a pretty good deal. When we were there Rachel saw one of her old bosses and that was a little... small word, and awkward. It was exciting getting my first rental car, but I was a little nervous at first that I was going to crash it! haha. We drove to our awesome hotel and fell asleep. Something Rachel l and I usually do when we are together!

MAUI DAY 2 (01/19/2010)

Wow! so tired, but still woke up early. That 5 am shift back home is really throwing off my sleeping schedule. I went up to the lobby (out door lobby) to use their internet. Ran into some other people from Santa Barbara. They recognized me from my Reality Sticker on my computer (my church). Once we were up and moving, Rachel and I got some snorkel gear and Snorkel Bobs (about 11 doors for 24 hrs) and drove to the furthest point and snorkeled. We drove through lava and narrow roads. Our car had a tough time making it, but we pulled it off. It was beautiful and worth every minute on the

bumpy road.

After the "lava road beach" Rachel and I were determined to find the black sand beach on the west side of the island. It was in a location that we never expected and were, honestly, a little scared to take in our litter car but it was worth it and so beautiful. From this little beach we could see the little island on moloka'i

At night we drove into Kahulu

i to see the town. We just drove around looking for a place to do our thing, sing Karaoke. Had a hard time, since it was Tuesday, but it was fun and a beautiful sunset over the mountains. We went to the Maui Mall and window shopped.

The most exciting part of the night was........

MAUI DAY 3 (01/20/2010)

The last day in Hawaii. For today we just decided to drive around and see as much of the island that we could. We took funny pictures. ...

Rachel really really wanted to see a waterfall so we drove up to Twin Falls. We missed the turn off and took a different road around some neighborhood. The houses were amazing and it felt like we were going on a jungle safari. We got back on the road and park at Twin Falls. Its a bit

difficult of a parking lot, but i managed. We hiked back to the water fall. It is really cool because on the way back we saw some sort of ruins that seemed like a mill or something. At the water fall we met our new friends, Russ, Garrett and Drew. They just so happen to also be from Santa Barbara! What a small world we live in!

These three guys were so fun and the cherry on top of our trip. We only wished we met them before the last day. After, we drove to Paia and got some lunch. Great fun! The boys then decided to show us their hotel (Four Seasons at Wailea). It was amazing. Right on the ocean. Amazing pool. Great hot tub. Fabulous showers. After we went out to eat and get some hawaii beers. it was great fun and I am looking forward to hanging out with all of them again.

Hawaii was amazing! And like always we took a red eye home. Oh, US Airways and your flights from Hawaii to PHX. Tried to guzzle some left over wine before we went through security, but I was too dehydrated. On the flight we got our own row and it was actually the best red eye I've ever had!

02/21/2010

We landed in PHX and like zombies we walked over to the Southwest gates for Rachels flights. We kept hearing announcements about flights being canceled cus of the storm in the PHX area. I grabbed some lunch at Paradise Cafe for Rachel and I. Her flight left on time and she was on her way. I made mine and was very thankful I didnt have to be stuck in PHX. Good to be home!

1 State down, 49 to go.