We had yet another wonderful day in paradise this Tuesday. Again, we woke up and lounged around our house all morning watching the glorious day unfold over the ocean.

After an hour or two of relaxed nothingness, Mike and I took off for a walk that turned into a hike. We walked along the beach behind the Fairmont and ended up catching a trailhead that led to these petroglyphs. They are located in a protected state and national historic site, because ancient Hawaiians travelled across harsh, desolate and definitely hot lava fields to this very spot to make these special signs. No one really knows what they mean. Historians just know they are significant. The hike was made measurably more worthwhile by the pack of adorable goats wandering on the other side of the petroglyphs.

We also fit in a trip to the mall in Waikaloa. The King’s and Queen’s Marketplace shops have some wonderful stores in them. But first, everyone seemed hungry even though it was only 10 am so, Breakfast #2 included an egg and sausage rice bowl for Casey and Mike, an infamous and very delicious malasada (Portuguese donut) for Dan and me. By then, Casey was satisfied just enough for us to do an hour of shopping.

I was able to find this rare piece of blue coral and had it shipped home to serve as a colorful reminder of our Home Away From Home.

We came back to the house for another lunch by the pool and then decided to explore a different beach. This time, we went to Hapuna Beach State Park with white sugary sand and lots of parking (yay!) and people! It is really one of the nicest beaches on the island! Very long, a bit protected on either side by rocky cliffs that extend beyond the shore and all the amenities one might need at the beach (this can also be rare here.)

We were probably there for close to two hours. Of those two hours, approximately 92% of them were spent in the Pacific, churning around in the somewhat but not too crazy waves. (We’ve definitely been in worse this trip!) It’s like my kids cannot get enough of the ocean. We pretty much have to pry them out of the water. And with Casey being just good enough of a swimmer to feel confident in the waves by the shore, but clearly not capable enough to head out much further without any help, l felt I had to be in there with her most of the time. She kept wanting to swim out; no fins, no floaty, no board, nothing but her own little arms and legs for support. Mama was having none of that. So naturally, there was some arguing in the water. I finally won out when she gave up trying to get out to Mike and Dan who had gone to one end to snorkel along the rocks. She came back to our blanket on the beach like a moody teenager whose mom had just grounded her from going to a high school party. I didn’t care though. She was safely by my side and I actually got 20 minutes of reading done!

We ended the day with another delicious meal, but this one was done by hubby!  Flank steak, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella salad, and locally grown corn.  A relaxing way to end our day!