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Summer Travel: Botanical Gardens

I am a big fan of botanical gardens. Our local botanical garden is a haven for families and kids looking to grow their own pizza. It is by no means the largest of its kind, but it is a nice resource to have in the relatively small city in which we reside. Visiting the country’s top botanical gardens would require traveling some distance, and that’s exactly what some families do this time of year—-make pilgrimages to the nation’s top botanical gardens. One fairly new botanical garden that is making headlines despite the fact that it less than three years old … Continue reading →

Touring a Legendary Botanic Garden

What weighs 448 tons; climbs 60 feet in the air and stretches 220 yards above what is considered one of the most beautiful places on earth? Kew Gardens’ calls it their new XStrata Treetop Walkway. The newest addition to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, in west London, is a soaring steel walkway that allows visitors to experience the magnificence of nature above the tree line. The massive circular structure stretches through the heart of the 18th century landscaped garden and for the first time ever it gives nature lovers the opportunity to see a side of the forest that … Continue reading →

Visiting Tabasco Country

If you’ve ever taken a whiff of Tabasco pepper you’d know it. The spicy scent makes your nose hairs stand on edge. And, if you think that’s a memorable experience, visit the factory where they pump out the hot sauce at the rate of 600,000 bottles a day, and your nose hairs won’t be the only things feeling the heat. The powerful aroma makes most people’s eyes water and their lungs burn. But, believe it or not, the sinus-opening experience is one some people travel thousands of miles to take in. Tens of thousands of tourist descend upon Avery Island, … Continue reading →

More Places To Hike In Hawaii

In my previous blog I filled you in on some of the best places to hike in the “Land of Aloha.” While most tourist tend to gravitate towards Oahu’s landmarks, historical sites, world class shops, and universally famous beaches there are some who travel to paradise for the chance to explore nature at its finest. Personally, I can’t think of a better way to experience the 50th state’s most beautiful sites than by lacing up some comfortable shoes and taking a hike. Here now are a few more of Oahu’s most popular hiking trails: Manoa Falls Trail—Waterfall lovers this one … Continue reading →

Where To Hike In Hawaii

It’s a great way to escape the crowds in Waikiki and an even better way to work off some of the extra calories you consume while diving into the tropical dishes (and libations) offered in paradise. I’m talking about hiking… and there’s no better place to take to the trails than in Hawaii. (Okay, I may be biased, but just a little.) The island of Oahu alone offers more than 80 trails to choose from. Each provides breathtaking views of the area’s lush rainforests, hidden waterfalls, and emerald green valleys. It also offers you the opportunity to learn about a … Continue reading →

A “Funny” Handbook To The Hawaiian Islands

Perhaps the title of this blog is not as fitting as it seemed a minute ago when I was tapping it out on this page. It may not be perfect, but it is accurate. It’s also a rare event that I would write a blog promoting a handbook about my home state. But this one happens to be peppered quite a number of funny tales that I had to do it (hence the title of my blog). Author Michael Perkins has penned a book called “Surviving Paradise: True Life and Death Stories of Hawaii’s Hidden Dangers.” You’d be hard pressed … Continue reading →

Zip It—Zip It Good!

Did you catch last week’s edition of “The Bachelor?” (I promise the only reason I am watching parts of it this season is because Andy the “bachelor” lives in Hawaii and my sister-in-law knows some of his friends.) Last week bachelor Andy took three of his potential mates to the island of Kauai to do a bit of sightseeing. On one of his dates he and his love interest Tessa went on a zipline adventure. The same zipline that many of my friends and family members have rode on and raved about. Never heard of a zipline? You’d know one … Continue reading →

Fun In The Butterfly House

During our last trip to Hawaii we took my then 2-year-old daughter to the butterfly exhibit at the local zoo. She’s not too fond of bugs, so I wasn’t sure how much she would appreciate standing in a cage full of monarchs, longwings and swallowtails. My older brother (ever the realist) insisted she would be just fine. After all, he reminded me, my daughter once tried to climb into the zoo’s monkey cage, so this was her chance to get up close and personal with some winged insects. Turns out he was right. Within minutes of walking into the exhibit … Continue reading →

Hawaiian Helicopter Tours

If you’ve been watching the news lately you may have heard about the rash of fatal helicopter crashes that have taken place in Hawaii—-specifically on the island of Kauai. For those of you out of the loop, several tourists visiting the state have died in the past two weeks—-all victims of helicopter crashes. Please note that this blog is not written with the intent to scare you from booking a helicopter tour. Rather, it is my goal to try to convince you to experience the once in a lifetime feeling you get gliding through the clouds and into valleys to … Continue reading →

Visiting Hawaii—Where To Go

I was born and raised in Hawaii, but moved to the “mainland” shortly after graduating from high school. I moved back to Honolulu for a brief period in the late 90s, but eventually moved back to the Midwest to accept a new job position, and have remained here ever since. Regardless of where I move or how long I have been gone, Hawaii is always HOME, and I try to get back as much as possible. I just returned from Oahu five days ago and am so homesick (especially since I left 80 degrees temps—it’s 5 degrees in the city … Continue reading →