A New Adventure - Building Our Trailer

July 18th Post - First of the walls going up.

Yesterday we worked the whole morning until 1PM.  We cleaned up, and had friends for dinner. This morning Rick is learning that his enthusiasm is not contagious until I have my coffee.  My darling husband does not need my grumpiness.  Maybe he can medicate my grumpy behaviour by providing me with my morning cuppa in when I open my eyes in bed.  That would not be deserved on my part!  Love you Rick!  Here are some photos of our labour:

Our method:  Glue, Caulk and Screw!!  

Where are the drill bits again?

 If one looks closely, one can see where the word door is printed in pencil. 

 I should have written "Welcome".

 Welcome!!!

July 17th Post - Bringing folks up-to-date

After considerate thought, we sold our Little Guy Trailer in the late summer of 2013 and started collecting material to build a new trailer.  This trailer will be a little larger than the Little Guy so that we can have a little galley inside, a dinette and room to get changed. The Little Guy trailer was basically a bed on wheels.

With the help of Denis Charest, we were able to start.  Denis helped us put together the steel for the base and he looked out for deals for us. Denis organized the construction of the steel frame. Denis also introduced us to Princess Auto - a great place to buy axles and wheels!  Denis also lent us several books and dvd's on how to build a trailer.  He is an amazing guy!  THANK YOU DENIS!

 

Here is the base.  If you look closely, we have already put three coats of rust paint on and under the frame.  The first coat was white, the second black to make sure that we covered everything and the last coat was white. Rick painted the tongue black.

 

Here is the wheel well and the floor.  We used 2 by 2's to frame the walls.

 

Aren't my hostas lovely!

 Rick is securing the base with bolts.

 We used a template to cut out the dinette window. We had to use a splice. 

The top part is bendable plywood and will curve around a frame.

 Here Rick is securing the splice for the window.

Rick looks very professional doesn't he!  Pen in pocket saw in hand. Hat on head/

There will be more to come at the end of the day!

The rains came down and the floods came up...

Most of the day we experienced tropical rains and winds. No snorkeling or kayaking. We did though catch the sunrise at the Blowhole.

 We drove up the westside of the island to find the tour company that will take us out on an ocean tour.  Monday we were able to snorkel and drove up the coast.

This is a cliff at the entry at the Blowhole. 
Doesn't it look like a Tiki god guarding the island? 

I sent this photo to Joel, my son, who collects Tiki Statues.

 Waves coming in on the Beach called Sandy.  They were not high but the wind was too strong to surf.  Some Diehards were out though.

Rick took this shot.  Isn't it beautiful how the water 

dances around the rock!

Pretty windy - and this wasn't as bad as it was!

Sunday we had a lovely day with Pu and Pete at the Aloha Tower.  We were able to take some photos from the top of the tower.  Ian went out surfing.  We were to go whale watching but there were strong winds from Kona and it would have been dangerous to go out.

 Rick and Pete were looking at a propeller and Rick's comment was that 

they would need a pretty large wrench!

 Me, Pu and Rick in front of the Falls of Clyde Ship.

The Aloha Tower - no it is not the leaning tower of Pizza!  

It is my bad photography!

A tiny government building amidst the tall office buildings!

 Monday morning snorkel - this fish is so pretty!  The blue stripes glowed!

A crab in a crevice at the shore line.

The next time that I will be making an entry, we will be on the North Shore.  Aloha!

Sunday in Oahu...

Got up early to go to church - saw the sunrise before the 7:30 AM service.

 Pulelelua and Rick being their true selves.  :)

Don't you just love them!!!

 Pu and me!

This is nice -they are behaving.

Nice photo! I know that it is so difficult for them to behave.  Thank you folks!

My dear Pulelelua is dancing in this video.  The name Pulelelua means butterfly which is the symbol of the resurrection.  Dance my dear Pu...

Another day in paradise...

Yesterday we drove down the east coast and enjoyed the ocean view.  It is just amazing!  We then met up with Pu and Pete at the Kona Brewery just after sunset.  There was Hawaiian contemporary music and children got up to dance.  The Hula is not only beautiful, but it keeps one in shape.  This is the Aloha Nation.

 This is the Blow Hole - the famous spot where the love scene was shot in the movie "From Here to Eternity". Shriek did a take-off of the part.

 More shots from the entrance of the Blow Hole

 Further down the highway, there was a lava shore.  It is amazing how plants will grow.  This plant is a variety of Jade.  We would pay money for this plant in our home - here it grows like weeds!

The beautiful colours in the wave pools - lots of life also.

This morning we got up at 6AM and went to Hanauma Bay to snorkel.  I do not know if Ringo Star ever snorkeled, but I'd like to be Under the Sea in an Octopus's Garden in the Shade... 

 These little guys are so fast, I am lucky to get this shot.  They usually swim over coral.

 These fish are so beautifully coloured!

 There really is a fish here!  The orange fins caught my eye as they waved in the sunlight.  
I thought they were antennae of a crab or something until I saw the coral move.

This fish is a bottom feeder and will almost bury itself to get food.

Today we are having a turkey dinner with Pu and her nephew, plus some of her friends - it is like the turkey dinner that I didn't get this year, neither did she.  Celebrate!!!

I miss you all.  Dad is beginning to slow down.  He announced that he is walking slower but somehow I think that this was influenced by the long steep walk up the hill from the bay.  One day at a time...

Hawaiian performer at the Kona Brewery singing the Hawaiian version of 
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

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Young girls dancing the Hula at the Kona Brewery at the Koko Head Marina.

More adventures - Day Five

This has been a remarkable trip.  We are so happy to be with Pulelelua. As mentioned before, the first day, we went on a walk with the dogs at sunset.  Here are more photos of the hike:

Sunset on Koko Head

Our wonderful host Pulelelua and Rick

From the trail at Hanamua Bay

Hills in the distance from Koko Marina as we enjoy a cup of coffee.

Pete and Pu at our favourite place so far on the island - The Kona Brewery

 

Lunch at The Duke's - everyone gets a bit of the action.

Rick and me at The Duke's at the Outrigger

Back in the water at Hanauma Bay!

There were waves that stirred up the sand so it was difficult to get a good shot or the fish.

We have many more shots, and we will be snorkeling as many times as we are able. Thank you for visiting!

Aloha!

I'd Like to Be Under the Sea ...

Yesterday we went into Waikiki to pick up snorkeling equipment from Snorkel Bob. 

 Nice Nissan SUV - I am a chubby Vannah White!

We walked around the shops and looked for the four Healing Stones given to the Hawaiians around the 14 Century from the Tahitians. 

 Waikiki

We never found them but Rick did some research and found where they lay.  We went back to Pu's place and practiced snorkeling in the pool.  Then we walked Cocoa and Butters, Pu's dogs, and went to the Kona Brewery for some supper only to crash when we got home.

 Stuff that dreams are made of - the beach in a Canadian Winter!

The next day we got up before 7 and went to Hanauma Bay to snorkel.  Here are some photos - enjoy:

 Rick at sunrise ready to start his swim.

There he is!  Can you believe it!  My Merman!

The trouble is that they swim too fast to get good shots!

Get back here I want your photo!

I am watching you!  :D

This one is so pretty!