The Black Pearl.

One really fun perk of living in Hawaii is they film lots of movies and TV shows out here. Lost, Hawaii Five-O, 50 First Dates, Soul Surfer, The Descendants, so on and so forth. They are currently filming the new Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides all over Oahu and Kauai. Fortunately, the Black Pearl was parked only about 20 minutes from my house at He'eia Boat Harbor in Kaneohe. 

One night, Hailey and I decided to stroll over there and get a peek at filming. And who did we find??

Mr. Depp, you will have to forgive me. I was much, much too shy and embarrassed to shake hands with you (although I very well could have) and I just looked at you nervously and flashed you my plastic looking smile. I do realize I must have looked insane. But thanks for looking me in the eye, smiling, and not treating me like a crazy person. Really. Appreciated.

Thanks for talking me into it Hailey. Worth it!

Flowers in My Hair.

I went to San Francisco and

 forgot to wear flowers in my hair. 

Dang it.

I did get to see one of my best friends, Stevie.

 

And, No, I have no idea how I did that with my eyes. 

Well, we had a grand old time. I was able to go to In N Out (a MUST whenever I visit anywhere in California), shop in the city, visit part of the Redwoods, and catch up on all the latest with Stevie. Only a couple of times did I fear for my life. For example, I don't think I will ever go into a Yogurtland again without thinking of the creepy homeless guy harassing us while the little tiny Asian worker tried to "save" us. We also learned that homeless people don't like Stevie's singing voice, but they do think she has a lovely smile. Which, she does. :)

This is the Bohemian Grove. Apparently, in 1892 there was a 70 foot statue of Daibutsu Buddha, which was constructed of lath and plaster. The statue gradually deteriorated over time and was gone by the 1920's. 

We hiked up the ocean view trail, which turns out can only really be seen on an extremely clear day. When does that happen in San Francisco anyway? We saw LOTS of distant fog.

And, I learned I wasn't the only one who wears her Toms while hiking.

Stevie, your the best. I heart you.

Other Warshington Adventures.

I have done my fair share of talking smack about Whidbey Island.

It totally redeemed itself on this trip.

Summertime in Whidbey is gorgeous.

 

Deception Pass: the bridge that takes us from the "mainland" of Washington onto Whidbey.

 

This is where most of the suicides in Washington take place. Eek.

 

We also took the time to stop and fish at Cranberry Lake. No hurrying on this trip.

We went crabbing at Cornet Bay and took home two to eat! I even tasted it...and liked it.

Einstein, you will always be my favorite. He remembers me every time I come home.

I got to meet up with Kelly, one of my best buddies from high school, and we went to "A Bite of Seattle". They had TONS of food there, including these little things called Dingleberries. Strawberries and Bananas and all kinds of other fruit dipped in delicious chocolate. Yum.

Every sort of dingleberry you could ever imagine!

Berry Delicious.

I have been in Washington on the island of Whidbey for 4 full days now and I have to say, I am impressed that it has not RAINED yet. I have never been here when the weather is so nice. It has allowed me to get out and explore the outdoors. Let me give you the tour of where I have been frolicking.

Behind my parents house is a forest. In that forest is a wonderful green meadow. In that green meadow there is a patch of daisies. I love this spot. There is only one tiny area in the meadow that allows the daisies to poke their smiling faces through in the summer. I found it 2 years ago and every year it continues to grace me with its presence in the same, exact spot. It makes me smile.

Also, since I have arrived here I have seen multiple signs: "U-PICK BERRIES" I was SO excited. I LOVE raspberries and usually pay approximately $5 for a teensy, weensy canister of them at Foodland in Hawaii. We paid $5 for an enormous tray of them AND we got to pick them on our own. Stupid Hawaii prices. Then at another farm down the street from my parents house...pick your own STRAWBERRIES. As soon as I saw these signs, only 1 word came to mind. PIE. And a delicious pie I did create! (along with some little berry tarts). There is just something about the labor of it all: picking my own berries, cutting them, preparing them for the deliciously flaky crust, then eating them within hours of being off the vine.

Walking on Water.

Fortunately, Hailey, Jeremy & I all had this past Wednesday off work!

We decided to take a drive up the road to Haleiwa & try our hand (or feet?) on the stand up paddle boards (SUPs). Our friend happened to be working at Surf N Sea that day, so yay! for free rentals.

We went all the way up the river, which was quite picturesque. I didn't bring my new camera for fear of dropping it into the nasty river water, but take my word, it's definitely worth the journey. We got down to the end of the river and there were about 4 turtles that kept popping their heads up to spy on us. I really did not expect to see turtles that far up the river! Noteworthy: We also also spotted a creepy, rusty playground in the middle of nowhere. It was SO weird. It looked like it should have been from a scary movie or that old show on SNICK, "Are You Afraid of the Dark?".

 

 

Funny Little Redhead.

I get to see my favorite little brother in 4 days! 

I miss you.

I've come to realize that good girlfriends are few and far between. It makes me really appreciate the ones I do have. No matter where they are, I have stayed in touch with them and I miss them something fierce! I miss you all. A lot. A lot a lot. 

Audi, I can't wait to meet that 'lil baby of yours! I miss you.

Sarah, I hope your enjoying looking for whales in the Gulf of Mexico. I miss you.

 Cody, I seriously need you back so you can make me laugh again. I miss you.

Stevie, I can't wait to see you in 2 weeks! I miss you.

Genn, it has been far, far too long. I need to hit some balls with C-train. I miss you.
(sorry, it was the only picture I had of us...it's been too long!)

Katie-Kins, thanks for making high school a fun memory for me. I miss you.