How Long is a Week??

Five days, six, couldn't possibly be seven days. It didn't last that long. I now know what they mean by warp speed.
We just had the most incredible time with some classmates that honored us with a amazing visit. The hotel was great, the food was delicious, the companionship was outstanding.
They are telling us nowadays that laughter adds 8 years to our lives...well, we surpassed that by several years. My jaws and ribs hurt from the laughter.
We would gather around the table on the Lanai at the hotel at night and the laughs just flowed. The hotel had a huge veranda and when it rained we would sit in these amazing rockers and watch the rain. All was well in the world during that time. Everyone seemed to have left any stress and worries on the plane.
We certainly got our money's worth as far as entertainment. We toured Pearl Harbor from all angles. We took a tour on the Might Mo where the Japanese surrendered. We saw the Arizona Memorial. We were humbled and in awe due to all the history here. Many of our parents served during that time and it meant so much to us to experience it, let alone to get to share it with friends.
Our Navy Lodge was here during the war and was recently remodeled. I don't think you could find a nicer place to stay. Right in the middle of Ford Island and in the middle of so much history. When it was remodeled, they kept the 40's motif and did a wonderful job of it. You expected to see Jimmy Stewart or some of the other actors of the 40's to come running out the door in their uniforms. We drove all over Pearl Harbor and saw buildings that are on the national historical register, thank goodness for that. To loose any of them would be a tragedy indeed.
We took pictures in front of a huge Banyon tree that Sharon wanted to take home.
GB got to visit his aviation museum. I think this trip meant alot to him. It was nice to see him enjoy it so. It was nice to finally get to know his wife.
We were very lucky that GB and Mrs. GB's son was with us and what an amazing photographer he is. We are talking professionalism at it's best. At last count, he was over 1800 pictures for the week. Stay tuned for some amazing pics.
TD and his wife and TC and Sharon were an absolute pleasure and we were so happy to have them. I had no idea that TC was such a hoot.

We got to experience a Luau. We got to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. My husband and I have done all these things before, but to watch my classmates and their reaction was priceless.
Some of us got to go aboard a nuclear submarine, which is almost unheard of nowadays and we were so honored to be able to experience that tour.
They got to see lots of ships and and subs.
They got to eat Malasadas, a Portuguese donut, and enjoyed them alot.
We dined at many restaurants and tried many different kinds of foods and ate very well. We have found that all of us have a big appetite for bread pudding and some went back the second time. For some reason, they make some of the best here. We found a warm chocolate cake that takes second place to none.
We went to a Italian restaurant that is one of our favorites. The owner/artist is from Turin, Italy and he has painted every spare space in the restaurant with frescos exactly like in the Sistine Chapel. Absolutely beautiful.
They got to shop at the second largest shopping mall and loved every minute of it. It has koi ponds and trees and is open air through most of it.
Some got to drive the circumference of the island and stopped at every vista.
A few flew to the Big Island of Hawaii and took a helicopter ride and got to see part of that island as well see the volcano flow. They got to hike in and see some huge water falls in a bamboo forest.

My husband enjoyed everyone to the max. He is amazed at how we took up where we left off so many years ago. He was a nice fit with the group.
It was nice to see everyone so relaxed and letting loose. It is good for the soul.

I want to thank our classmates that took the time to come over for a wonderful visit. We are humbled.

And for the rest that couldn't make it this time, the door is always open and let's all try for Destin in May. It will be well worth the time.