We arrived in Oahu on a Tuesday afternoon. Our Czech cab driver apologized profusely for being late as he fumbled to grab two leis out of a crumply plastic bag while he was merging onto the highway. Okay fine, not the "Aloha" we were looking for, but he gave us a good tip about the five dollar overnight parking at the post office down the street from the hotel we were staying for the week. Luggage dropped off, we left the room quickly to escape the allure of sleep and walked to Duke's to slurp down a few slushy drinks. Toes in sand, we wandered down the Waikiki sprawl trying to keep our eyes open until a reasonable hour, it was a long flight.

The next morning we jumped in our red mini convertible and began our tour around the island. Pat did most of the driving while I was the clumsy magellan holding the ipad and following the blue dot on google maps. The week passed quickly in a whirlwind of greens and blues. We hiked up a muddy mountainside navigating a path over snarly roots and prickly brush. I felt like a bad ass until we passed a group of barefoot locals. We got tossed about on ATVs at the Kualoa Ranch as mud splattered and rain soaked to satisfy the Kate Austen in my mind.  We snorkeled in Shark's Cove and although the uncomfortable climb down over unfriendly rocks made me grouchy the little nemos and doris swimming about amidst the coral lightened my disposition (well, that and the reminder that my biggest challenge that day was putting on fins). We stumbled upon gigantic sea turtles at the "survivor" beach. Yes, we found directions online to where the Oceanic crash scenes in Lost were shot. Yes, we are big dorks. And yes, we pretended like the stretch of land actually looked "familiar". We splashed and sun soaked at Lanikai Beach and wondered why people enjoy paddle surfing. Heading back to our hotel from the North Shore we curved around the coast and had to stop when we saw Makapuu lookout. We jumped over the stone fence to improve our vantage point. The way the ocean swirled and met the sky and rock reminded me that God is an artist. We jumped into turquoise waves and spit salt water out of our mouths, rinsed sand off our feet and devoured fresh pineapple.  We drove up to Diamond Head at sunrise and ate piping hot malasadas at Leonard's Bakery. We sipped on mai tais and pear gimlets at Morimoto overlooking the harbor and wondered how we were going to adjust back to Chicago "spring".

A long flight over many miles landed us back home with tired limbs and sun kissed skin. Thanks to everyone for suggesting scenic spots and especially for my Uncle Don for his incessant reminders to wear sunscreen.