We started the day with a tour of Pearl Harbor. Our tour guide told us a wonderful rendition of what happened back on Dec 7, 1941. It was so good, I was almost in tears. We got to Pearl Harbor and. Evan our tour going throught the museum. Continued on to watch a video of that fateful day. After the video, we boarded a boat for a short ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial. There are not enough words to say how moving this was. After our oat ride back, we got to walk the grounds some more and look at various Naval items. Once done there we went on to the military base and saw housing etc. and off to go tour "Mighty Mo" - USS Missouri. After a quick tour guide talk, we were able to walk around at our own pace for a bit. It was a bit nerve racking at fist walking throught the battleship - I felt claustrophobic at first. I got used to it pretty quick and enjoyed seeing how life would be "living" under water(I don't think I could do it though!) Kraig enjoyed showing me similarities he remembered from touring the ship his sister was stationed on. We made it back to the top of Mo and walked on deck for a bit. Our tour ended with a tour through historic Honolul. We saw the palace, state Capitol, governors mansion, Punchbowl cemetery , the. Hold hood home of Pres. Obama and well as where he was born and graduated from school. We got back to the hotel, dropped off our bags and went walking for a bit. We ended up on Luxury lane (a bit out of our price shopping center - Louis Vuitton , Gucci , Ralph Lauren etc. we ended up on Waikiki Beach and walked the shore line. Very pretty views. Back to the hotel and off for supper, red lobster tonight. Now we are "home" at last ready to settle in and hope to sleep in a bit longer than we did this morning!

We took of from MPLS at 715 this morning - got to the airport about 5. Flew to Phoenix and arrived about 5-10 minutes early! ( unfortunately since we were early our gate wasn't ready yet, then when it was there was a plane in the way and we couldn't taxi in) thankfully we had about 1 1/2 hr layover so that made the time go by faster ~ I think. The connecting flight was uneventful as well ~ this was great since I can be a bit nervous flying. The winds and the gods were with us on this flight as well we were able to arrive 30 minutes early - baggage and all! Now off to find a ride to the hotel. We went outside to a beautiful sunny 82* day, so nice! We made it to the hotel in about 35 minutes, with all other hotel stops on the way. We walked around for a while necking things out - mainly where to eat since it was 415 pm here (815 mn time). We decided on Benihana's Japanese steakhouse. It was great. Small world though - out of the 8 people sitting at our table we are from MN,another couple were from MI, 3 from HI, and 1 CA - the one from CA though was born in MPLS and has family in Stillwater! Well it is now 750 pm and we De starting to wind down for the night. Have an early day tomorrow, pick up at 550AM. Aloha and good night!

What to do, what to do - or is it when to do, when to do? We are not planning to do anything on the day we fly in. We are just going to find the hotel, a bite to eat and back to the hotel to relax. Now our sightseeing begins! On Tuesday, we are planning to go to Pearl Harbor. Here is what our tour will entail: "Before you arrive at Pearl Harbor, your tour guide will provide a brief history of the first attack on the US during World War II at Pearl Harbor, see dramatic footage of the actual attack, board Navy Shuttle to the Arizona Memorial, view the USS Bowfin Submarine, view the U.S. Pacific Fleet Headquarters, visit the Arizona Memorial WWII Museum, see the Black Tears of the Arizona, experience the Mighty Mo USS Missouri Battleship (admission included), stand on the Surrender Deck where WWII ended, see the Headquarters of the USA Pacific Fleet. See historic Honolulu, Iolani Palace, Kamehameha Statue, Civic Center, the Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific. Drive by President Obamas childhood homes, Punahou School (where Obama graduated high school), Kapiolani Medical Center (place of Obamas birth)." On Wednesday we are off to an underwater adventure. We are going on a submarine tour to see all the marine life below the surface. Here is what we will be doing: Enjoy the underwater odyssey with Atlantis Submarine on Oahu + The "Royal" Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise on the Navatek. Explore a 25 acre beautiful natural coral reef and its marine inhabitants on this 35 minute journey aboard Atlantis Submarine. A new adventure awaits you at depths to 100 feet. Guests view the unique, fascinating natural coral reefs and their inhabitants in air-conditioned, comfort and safety. We will be 100 feet below surface for a 45 minute adventure. After that, we have a bit of a break before we head out for the Royal Senset cruise on the Navatek. We will be ready for a good nights sleep before we fly off to Kauai Thursday morning. More adventures to come when we get there!

We have just booked our first tour! We are using our helicopter tour gifts and going on a helicopter ride. It is a private tour for just the two of us. We are flying with Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours. Here is a description of what we will see courtesy of Mauna Loa helicopter tours: The tour circles the island clockwise and includes enough memorable sights to fill a scrap book.  Your aerial adventure begins with a great view of Nawiliwili Harbor and the Menehune Fishpond, followed by the rolling green hills and lush vegetation of Hanapepe Valley.  You’ll see Manawaiopuna and Kahili falls here as well as the unspoiled landscape that proved to be the perfect setting for Spielberg’s classic Jurassic Park and other films. Your tour continues on over Olokele Canyon.  This remarkable geological feature, which is not visible from the road, is Kauai’s second-largest canyon and leads all the way up to Waialeale, the wettest spot on Earth.  Next up is Waimea Canyon, often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.  This breathtaking vista is definitely a tour highlight. Another tour highlight follows in the form of the infamous Na Pali Coast, a dramatic meeting of shear cliffs and the ocean far below.  Off in the distance you’ll see the private island of Niihau, which is off limits to the general public. Next, you’ll be treated to spectacular valley flying, in and out of stunning Honopu and Kalalau Valleys.  Your pilot now takes you offshore for an all-encompassing view of this jewel of a coastline, from Ke’e Beach to Hanalei, a scene that’s guaranteed to stay in your memory for a long, long time. You now turn inland, crossing Lumahai Beach, and pass numerous waterfalls cascading from Namolokama Mountain.  You’ll follow the verdant flora bordering the Hanalei River upstream to the crater of Waialeale and, weather permitting, enter the crater itself.  There are no words to properly describe the awe-inspiring beauty of the countless waterfalls tumbling down the crater walls.  Great stuff. We will be flying in the helicopter with the "doors off" - this should be a truly wonderful experience. Thank you to those who gave us this gift. Our memories will last a lifetime, and I hope the photos do as well. I can't wait to show photos of this beautiful place.

Today was my last day working before taking off for our trip of a lifetime! Kraig has been busy as well today trying to get last minute things done. At the school, I got there this morning to find 2 hearts, wedding bell cut-outs and a big ALOHA decorating my door. What a surprise! But an even bigger surprise was being called into the workroom to see 2 palm trees with an ocean background, and a table full of goodies to include Chex mix, candy hearts, and mini "wedding cakes" (white Little Debby snack cakes) complete with tiny umbrellas and fish to complete the beach scene. Thanks so much girls for setting this all up for me! It looked & tasted great and I think everyone enjoyed.