Sometimes, there are moments in life that stick with you.  Moments you remember in vivid form, as if it's a movie playing in front of you.  For me, Kalalau lookout with my grandfather played out for 27 years.

When I was younger, family took a trip to Kaua'i to visit family.  After a few days of settling in, my grandfather  wanted us to see Waimea Canyon, a geological wonder in the middle of the island.  In addition, he had high hopes for us to catch a glimpse of one of the most stunning views in the world at Kalalau Lookout.

I don't remember parking.  I don't remember walking out to the lookout.  But I remember standing on the edge, looking at a wall of clouds.  And I vividly remember my grandfather sighing, looking down in disappointment, shaking his head, and saying "oh well, wasn't meant to be."

I had no idea what he had hoped to see at the time.  I returned 27 years later to find out.

Until a couple sitting on the grass spoke up.  They told us that just five minutes before we had arrived the clouds and cleared and the view had opened up below.  They suggested we wait.

​Why not?  I had waited 27 years.  What was twenty minutes?  We decided to eat our packed lunch, (a must have traveling that far into the park - our lunch box is HERE.) (affliate link), and wait out the clouds.

As I stood by the railing and waited, I thought a lot about how life comes and goes.  About my grandfather, who had spent his life in Detroit before traveling later in life.  He loved seeing the world as much as I did, yet waited well into his later years of life to start seeing it.  I was lucky to have been on this spot once at 14, let alone return.  In addition, I was now able to share it with DC and our teen travel tagalong.  Not to mention that in turn, we would get the chance to share the experience with the world online through teaching about traveling.

Twenty-seven years felt like a lifetime ago, yet I felt myself waiting there with him.

The clouds opened a little at a time, as if a curtain was being pulled back across a stage.  I held my breath and waited.  Each time they moved, I hoped for just a little more.

And a little more....

I finally saw what my grandfather hoped I would see years ago.  The clouds opened up to the world below, sharing the Napali Coastline in it's incredible surreal form.  Standing 4,000 feet above, you feel as though you're looking at a picture. 

Yet everything about the moment is a dream turned into reality.

As I looked out across the coastline, I smiled as I breathed a sigh of contentment.  

I was in the right place, at the right time, with the right people.  

I could see my grandfather smiling.

​He told me it was worth the wait.

When visiting Kaua'i, Hawaii, the North Shore claims so much of the fame.  With beautiful beaches and cozy towns, people flock north after landing in Lihue.

​We went south.

Kaua'i in one of the few islands that does not have a direct route around the entire edge.  In the middle of the island sits an incredible landscape only accessible by hiking or driving to lookouts.  If you drive an hour along the south shore from Lihue, you will find yourself at Waimea State Park.  There are not a lot of stops along the way, so make sure you fuel up and have road trip gear for the trek.  (Water bottles are a must.  Click HERE to find collapsable bottles that travel well for flights.  We are Amazon Affiliates and do make a small compensation on qualifying purchases)

Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", Waimea Canyon State Park offers travelers a variety of options to experience the brilliance of the landscape.  Created by the Waimea River after years of erosion, the canyon has various stopping points at different heights to catch a different view.  There are numerous trails to hike at each of these spots, ranging from easy hikes to more difficult ones out to the canyon's edges.  (We will ALWAYS share the hiking shoes we HIGHLY recommend.  Click HERE.  (Affliate link)

The canyon speaks for itself.  Every time you go the views are different based on the weather.  Rain, clouds, and sun play off of each other creating different patterns across the canyon at different times of the day.  Each time you go, you get the chance to experience something different.

This is one place where pictures are worth more than words.

Memorial Day is quickly approaching.  It's the official unofficial  start of the summer.  There are a number of ways to make the most of your time, as well as honor the reason behind the weekend.

Here are our top three picks for a Memorial Day.

One of the most budget friendly options available.  Camping is an easy way to step out of the day to day norm and experience the quiet nature has to offer.  This past April we tried "glamping" for the first time!  While we are big fans of tents and sleeping bags, trying a new experience was well worth it.  We definitely recommend if you aren't big on traditional camping!  
(Click HERE to see the things we use to make camping more enjoyable!)
We are Amazon Affiliates and we do make small compensation from qualifying purchases.)

We really enjoy free.  In the United States there are many incredible National Parks, Shorelines, and Historical sites to see.  They provide insight into America's history and honor those that came before us.  In honor of Memorial Day, the Arizona Memorial, a National Cemetery, was a worthwhile visit while in Hawaii.  (Read Below).  In Michigan, take a trip to the River Raisin National Battlefield Park! (Get a National Park passport!  Super easy and fun way to track across the States! )  (Affiliate Link)

This last April, we stumbled upon Fort Meigs just outside of Toledo in Ohio.  This fort was imperative during the War of 1812, just 40 years after the colonies had become the United States.  Often we forget the history of the 37 states after the Declaration of Independence.  There are many men and women who took on significant hardships then, believing in a dream they may never actually see as a reality.  While history is marked with storied pasts, those who lived it were living their lives the best way they knew how.  Walking in their footsteps to learn their stories is a simple way to honor the day.

It's not too late to take a moment to plan your weekend.  Take time to step back and find some quiet moments.  Enjoy the start of summer, and get ready for your adventures ahead.

The Hawaiian Islands boast an incredible vacation spot.  Beautiful beaches, incredible landscapes, and incredible waterfalls are all promised when taking a trip.  However, if you come to Hawaii and miss visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn the culture, you've missed out on understanding the deep beauty of the islands.

The Polynesian Cultural center is located on the northeastern side of Oahu.  Opening in 1963, the center has been and educational oasis for Pacific Island cultures.  The center houses college students of Pacific Island decent, creating a dual relationship of sorts.  The students spend time teaching and sharing their culture and heritage, and in turn, the proceeds of the center provide the means of college education to those native to the Pacific Islands.

The center is divided into five islands:  Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, and Hawaii.  At the top of every hour, the island hosts a presentation on the history and culture of that specific island.  Afterwards, there are multiple different stations in the area that provide both educational opportunities and activities to engage in island life.  (Bring water!  Click here for travel water bottles! affiliate link)

One of the most interesting things that stood out to us was the amount of distance traveled between islands by the boats specific to the region.  Think Moana like.  These sea vessels are seemingly less structured than their European counterparts for traveling great distances.  Yet there is historical evidence that not only was travel possible, it went on for a great period of time as the cultures learned from each other, traded, and settled across the Pacific.

The center itself is worth at least a three hour visit.  That will get you a quick glimpse into everything there.  You can easily spend the day doing all of the presentations and activities.  The center also has a luau to attend and a night show highlighting each of the different cultures in an intricate performance.

The center is a higher cost than our typical budget.  However, the educational value of learning about the history of the islands and the support it provides to the students is well worth the cost.  There is always one "saved" vacation expense on our budget trips. (And traveling with a teen requires at least one experience.   We have a list of things we needed (Click Here/Affiliate).

​For Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center was worth every cent!

Getting away can be tricky.  Time and cost play a factor every time.  Finding something simple makes the trip worth it.

Cuyahoga National Park was that weekend for us.  We hiked all day, sat by the fire at night, and enjoyed every moment of quiet in the business of the end of the year!  (And because you already have these HIKING SHOES for Road Trips, you're ready!)

Located in southeast Ohio, it's an easy drive from the both the Midwest and the East coast.  We stayed in the small town of Peninsula.  Highly recommend.  It has all the small-town charm, while being centrally located to everything.

​Here are our top five things to do:

Located about 1.5 miles from the visitor center, these falls are worth seeing for the hike alone.  The National Park weaves its way in and out of developed land.  There are times you are walking through woods, and other moments you're along  the road.  It helps for those who may struggle with feeling lost during a long hike.  

The falls sit at the end of the trail and provide beautiful views and fun climbs.  You can climb down to the base of the falls to get great pictures, while being surrounded by a moment of peace.  (When hiking for waterfalls, it's best to have a lanyard case...)

Located near our top 2, Bridal Veil Falls in the Cleveland Metropark is included in the National Park.  It's a fairly simple hike out to the falls with a view worth seeing.

The falls are simple, cascading down the rock to the riverbed below.  They are beautiful to watch, and it would be great spot for lunch.  What we found even more fascinating was the rock bed.  The slate below has cracked away at different formations changing the falls over time.  Watching the water flow over the different levels of rock bed is mesmerizing.  

Brandywine could have easily been our second favorite, had we not found our other option.  Brandywine falls is an easy hike across a boardwalk.  There are stairs to a viewing platform, but it's not necessary to navigate all of them to be able to see the falls.

It's a four-mile round trip hike to the falls from the visitor center if interested.  However, for short stays, you can drive and park to see them.  They once were the center of economic value for the small towns in the area, providing electricity and resources.  As development changed, the falls resources failed to keep up with the ever-changing world, and the small towns around it dissolved.  Today it boasts dynamic views of cascading water to the river below. 

Easily landed in the number two slot.  Here's a tip we discovered:  Park in the Viaduct parking lot instead of heading into the Cleveland Metropark.  The Viaduct parking lot has a trail that leads to below the falls.  The Cleveland Metropark will take you above.  The views from below are stunning.  The falls are much larger than expected, entering from multiple locations from the riverbed above.   

Tinker's Creek is the type of place you could sit on the edge for a few hours and just watch the world go by... or watch a wedding.  We were in the right place at the right time, as we watched a couple climb out onto the flat stones and get married under the rocks.  Amazing backdrop!

The Ledges were a last minute find on the map, and ended up being our favorite spot.  Land was donated to the national park from a private owner.  The Ledges sit as ancient rock formations with a trail you can hike both in and around them.

The temperature of the Ledges struck us instantly.  Below the Ledges sits a cave, with air flowing out into the world above.  Appropriately named, The Icebox, is located near the entrance to the cave and pushes cold air out at a rapid pace.   We took a walk through the various paths across the area, discovering quartz in the walls and tucked away corners.  It lets your imagination run wild, wondering how they came to be, and the hidden treasures that lie within them

Quick easy trips!  Make it through May to get to your summer adventures!  Don't forget to National Park Passport this summer.  Find it HERE.

December 7th, 1941

Pearl Harbor was a moment that change the course of history for the United States.  America entered the war, having been directly attacked by Japan in a moment of horror across the Pacific Islands.

Interestingly enough though...Hawaii was not yet a state.  She wouldn't become a state until 1959, 18 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

As we share the series of traveling to Hawaii, we hope to unlock its history and people for you.  Understanding Hawaii's past and its role in history defines the island as so much more than a popular tourist attraction.  

Pearl Harbor is the start of this journey.

Located on the southeastern side of the island, Pearl Harbor sat as the military stronghold of the Pacific.  As the war in Europe continued, the Pacific was beginning to see more unrest.  Japan had begun to make moves throughout the Pacific Islands, and Hawaii became the focus for attacking the United States

World War II heavily focus' on Germany's march across Europe, yet the Pacific was fought with just as much force.  A war with battles fought across both oceans touching America's shores.  We sometimes forget how vast WWII reached, and how many men and women were needed to engage in such a large conflict.

Pearl Harbor's attack itself was significant.  Military protocols changed because of the attack itself.  At the time of the attack, battleships were docked end to end, side by side.  This made for easy targets, as well as difficult rescues. It would also be the last time father's and sons served together on the same ship, as women lost both in moments that day.

​The Arizonia stands out among them.  Due to a well-placed bomb, she instantly blew, sinking rapidly and entombing the men aboard.

She now sits as a National Cemetary.  83 years later, oil still seeps out of the ballast to the surface, reminding us of the ship she use to be.  The sea water continues to wear away at her, and the sand below settles across the decks, burying the history below.

Yet, people remember.  It was not the busy tourist site from 20 years ago, when the Greatest Generation was alive and making pilgrimages to the place that took them to war.  Pearl Harbor was their 9/11, and they flocked to the memorial when it opened.

Instead, it's a serene calling to those who long to understand history.  The grounds are well kept.  The history is provided as your tour.  The ferry runs smoothly out to the Memorial, run by active-duty service men and women who have committed their time to ensuring those who lost their lives are honored every day, as well as those who lived.

As time has passed, there were those who were stationed on the Arizonia who lived that day.  Men who had been on shore at the time of the attack, missing the moment costing their crewmates their lives.

These men are now returning back to the Arizonia.  The United States has allowed the ashes of these men to be buried below sea, alongside their countrymen from years ago.  Their names have been added to the Memorial wall at the back, granting them eternal rest within the ship they had served before she was taken.

It's the part of the past, and the moment of the present, that should make you take pause to look towards the future.  83 years have passed, and these men requested to go home to the Arizonia.  An entire lifetime of living, and a moment etches itself so deeply into you are connected to it for eternity. 

​That's a long time.

What happens when the last of the men are buried here?  What happens to the history of an event so significant it changed the face of the globe?  What does our future look like?  

Who will share their story for future generations?  Stories of bravery, loyalty, and love that have lasted almost a century?

It's our journey to share these pieces of history with you.  We're teaching you small moments in history to hold on to, so they are not lost in the wind as time changes.  We visited Pearl Harbor to learn as well as to remember. 

​To remember our grandparents and family members who were directly connected with WWII. 

To remember those who lost their lives fighting for what they believed in.

To remember how quickly the world can change, even on the most peaceful days, in the most incredible places.

Remember Pearl Harbor.  It's $1 to enter the National Cemetary, with at least two hours of things to do.  They book up fast, so it's important to plan ahead.  Make the most of your day their, and plan to spend time diving into the history of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, and the Hawaiian Islands.

History can be repeated. 

Let's work hard to learn enough to ensure that's not.

Welcome to Honolulu!  After booking your flight, finding you lodging, and getting your transportation, it's time to explore the major city in the Pacific.

Honolulu.

Spoiler Alert:  It's a must see because you have too.

It's the least amazing thing in Hawaii.

Honolulu has incredible history and is full of life.  It's a great place to see and spend the day.  We don't recommend much more than that.   There are so many more amazing things to see and do.  

​So make the most of your time and your budget and spend the day with us!  

We started the day by taking advantage of jet lag.  Up by 5 AM and ready to go, we started our day by catching the sunrise.  We headed out to Ala Moana Beach.  It's a smaller beach just on the edge of the vast ocean surrounding Oahu. 

The day greeted us with rain showers, but the warm breezes moved the clouds out of the way and opened the beach in front of us.  Early morning surfers hit the waves before work, while venders set up shop for the day.  While the clouds kept away the perfect sunrise, the day breaking above Diamonhead in the distance was worth getting up for. 

We headed back for an amazing breakfast at the Best Western we were staying in.  After taking a few minutes to pack up, we hit the road.  Our first stop:  Diamondhead.  A once active volcano creating the Hawaiian Islands, it now is the perfect hiking trail for a morning adventure.

Diamondhead sits just outside of Honolulu.  The hike to the top is a moderate hike, but has benches and such to sit on.  For $25, we had the 8 AM spot to start our hike.  As the early morning hikers descended down the trail, we headed to the top to get a glimpse of Honolulu.  The views didn't disappoint.

Next up, we headed to downtown Honolulu to check out the famous Wakaki beach.   Wakaki Beach is incredibly small, and clearly a tourist spot.  It's worth the walk on the pier to get great shots of the city from the water.  There are gardens nearby and parks surrounding downtown.  After walking, if you have time, take a walk through the International Market.  We had tickets we had to get too, so we missed this stop.  However, it's worth walking through if you get the moment.

After lunch we headed over to Pearl Harbor.  Tickets to the Arizonia Memorial are $1 a person.  They book up fast, so make sure you plan your stop in advance.  The memorial is an incredible part of history.  Still to this day, oil rises from the tomb below the water, as a constant reminder of the reality of it's fate from 80 years ago.  We'll share more about Pearl Harbor, as it's story is worth remembering and sharing.

We had a little extra time.  If you have the money and the time, the USS Missouri is worth grabbing the bus and go visiting.  It is more expensive than our typical travel budget.  However, we build in vacation costs as there are some places we will not get to again.  The tour of the Missouri was a time capsule for the era before the 2000's.  When she ware moored, the life on the Missouri stopped.  We found TV's and typewriters straight out of the 90's.  It was a wonderful was to finish the day.

We headed back to a quick dinner, ready to head to bed.  Fighting jet lag at the end of the day is a little tougher when 8 PM feels like 2 AM.  

In one day you can make the most of Honolulu.  The number one travel trip:  Do Honolulu on your first day there.   It's incredibly important.  Doing the city last will end up being a disappointment.  Doing it first is the entry into the Hawaiian Islands.

Everything else in Hawaii just gets better.