Category: USA

Travels within the USA

Morning Paradise Views 🤩

Nothing like waking up to wonderful views in the morning. I love it especially when I travel and have a ocean view room. This particular scenic morning view is from Laupahoehoe Scenic Point. Take a look: youtube.com/shorts/pL4QZ1DXql0

Magnificent view for sure. This wasn’t even my final destination. I was just traveling on my way to Hilo, Hawaii, enroute to the Akaka Falls State Park, when I could not help but pull to the side of the road and take in this view.

I was glad that I did. This view was just breathtaking.😃 It was so nice to see the beautiful vegetation in addition to the ocean views and hearing the birds singing all at the same time. Makes you really believe that there are pieces of heaven right here on earth 🌍!

Be sure to check out this place if you are traveling to Hilo or Kona on the Big Island. Such an amazing adventure! 😆

Hawaii or Mars? See for yourself 😃

Never have I visited a place that has looked like it does not belong on this planet, until now. Take a look at the Chains of Crater Road, located near the Volcano National Park: youtube.com/watch

It looks like another planet 😂. Such otherworldly views that, if I had not traveled there and seen it for myself, I probably would not have believed it. What a magnificent place!

Turns out that this unbelievable place is a very popular hiking spot for locals and visitors. Almost seems like it should be on the old show: Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Before traveling to Hawaii, I had no idea that places like these exist. It is a natural wonder surrounded by other natural wonders on the Big Island of Hawaii. You will totally be amazed if you should ever have the opportunity to visit this remarkable place.

Volcano 🌋 Vent – Stand Back!

Coming in hot on a a Monday! Hope that you have a wonderful week. Wanted to take the time to share a cool experience that I had viewing a volcano vent for the first time outside of Mount Kilauea😊. If you would like to see more, please check out the video: youtube.com/shorts/gtO1DzPQElE

As you can see from the video, the steam form the volcano is coming in very hot 🥵 so you most definitely have to stand back! What you may or may not be able to tell from the video is that it is so very cold around the volcano. That is why we are dressed like we are with hoodies, jackets etc.

It is hard to believe that you can experience cold in Hawaii, but surprisingly you can. The Big Island of Hawaii, in addition to the beautiful beaches and warm weather, also has mountains and higher elevations which contributes to the colder weather. When you visit Hawaii, expect to pack shorts and also jackets and hoodies 😊. This is totally based upon the type of experience you are looking to have.

I like to take it all in, so I pack for the beach and for visiting the mountains and volcanoes. You only live once, so why not 😂. Makes for a lifetime of memories that you can share which makes your experience so much richer.

Carnival Cruise (Pre-Covid): Dance 💃 🕺🏾 Vibes

If you are in need of fun vibes, look no further than this video, which was taken on a Carnival Cruise back in the good old days prior to the pandemic: youtube.com/shorts/8YMW4STq5ag

Hard to believe that there were times like these, but these times actually existed😃. My sincere hope is that these times return soon. It is always good to reflect on good times especially during not so good times.

This video is just plain fun 🤩! This was part of the sail away celebration that Carnival was having, as we prepared to set sail to the Western Caribbean. Little did we know at the time, how much fun we would have visiting Costa Maya, Belize and Cozumel.

I encourage you, if you have not experienced a cruise or even if you have, to enjoy this type of experience once or again. Looking at this video, puts me mentally back on that ship, enjoying all of the sights and sounds😃

Shower Vibes – Kalahari 😎

Nothing quite refreshes like water😎A shower always gets you going to start the day. Check out these shower 🚿vibes courtesy of Kalahari Water Parks and Resorts: youtube.com/shorts/NjaumWqTvS4

I have only visited this resort once but I can most certainly tell you, it will not be the last time. As the summer season is ending, it is the perfect place to go to hang on to summer for just a little while longer.

It happens to be the only indoor waterpark in Texas. So you can literally visit even when summer has come to an end. The waterpark vibes are still in effect. No sun ☀️, no problem😊.

This Kalahari location opened November 2020 and on this particular day this past summer, it was packed with other fun seekers like myself. If you are a fellow fun seeker, you will enjoy this waterpark and resort!

Life is a Beach 🏖😎🙌!

Life is totally a beach 🏖 or something like that 😂! If you have never seen a black sand beach, here is is: youtube.com/watch

This particular beach is called Punalu’u Beach and it is located on the Big Island of Hawaii between the towns of Pahala and Naalehu in Kau.,If you have seen other blog posts of mine before, I have referenced this particular beach before. The cool thing about black sand is that it is very cool to the the touch. This is mainly due to the minerals that are found in the sand. Hard to believe that black sand is cooler to the touch than white sand 😃

From the video you can tell that it was pretty windy outside. It was a great combination between the nice breeze and the warm (just right) temperature that we experienced on that day. Made for a wonderful day to be outside for sure!

Hopefully you will enjoy this video and as always, if your travel plans take you to the Big Island of Hawaii, make your plans to visit this beautiful beach. You will be glad that you did 😊

Views for days – All Aboard😃!

If you never have been onboard a Carnival Cruise, feel free to take a (pre-pandemic) look at what it is like: youtube.com/shorts/Z3G45L80oDQ

Cruises are just so much fun😎 If you have never cruised before, do yourself a favor and do so, if only once! If you have cruised before, you know the feeling of relaxation that you get from being on a cruise. Unlike anything that I have personally experienced before.

On this particular cruise, we were our way to the Western Caribbean where we spent time in Costa Maya, Belize and Cozumel. As you can see from the locations listed, a cruise enables you to see these beautiful locations all in one trip. Otherwise, you would have to book separate trips to each one.

Of course this was pre- pandemic 😷 so things would likely have changed since this time. I plan to cruise again next year and I am definitely looking forward to it. Hope to see you on a future trip!

Never Forget – 9/11 Tribute

Always important to remember those times that changed you forever. 9/11 is one of those days. I just posted a video commemorating the 20 year anniversary on YouTube: youtube.com/watch

Hope that you enjoyed the video as much as I enjoyed making it. I will always remember when and where I was when these tragic events happened. It is truly hard to believe that it has been 20 years. We have all changed and our world has not been the same since that fateful day.

I am reminded of the unity that was felt during those times. I am so hopeful that we all return back to those times and see one another as fellow Americans first, rather than by political party, vaccinated/unvaccinate etc. Hopefully better days ahead – we will never forget 😢

Girl on Fire 🔥- Acrobat Circus Vibes!

I love going to the circus 🤡! Something about being under the big top that makes you feel like a kid again. I recently visited the UniverSoul Circus and what a great time that I had. The trapeze artist and acrobats were unbelievable. Check out this video 😱- I was holding my breath every step of the way: youtube.com/shorts/yguSWmaL3WY

I still get some chills looking at this.😀 It really shows just how talented these circus artists are. Do not think that I could ever do this but I am so thankful that there are folks that can. Makes you wonder the amount of time that it must have taken in order to practice this over and over again.

If you ever get a chance to see the UniverSoul Circus (or any circus for that matter) in person, please do so. It is so much fun for every member of the family. 😃

HumpDay Dance 💃🕺🏾Vibes😀

There is absolutely nothing like seeing kids dancing and having a great time.😊 I captured just a moment when I was on a Carnival Cruise sailing to the Western Caribbean. If you could use a smile on today, feel free to check this out: youtube.com/shorts/_AHOS_ttypM

It certainly put a big smile on my face 😁! Hope it did for you as well. If you like this type of fun, Carnival specializes in these dance sessions during dinner time. There is usually at least one for every night. So if dancing is your thing, get ready to dance into the night.

Hard to believe that this much fun can be a part of the dinner entertainment but it most certainly is. I remember the first time that i experienced this, I was totally shocked. The waiters and waitresses suddenly stop what they are doing ,once the music starts, and then breaks into a well choreographed dance routine 😂! That gets everyone else dancing and before long, the restaurant breaks into a dance party. 💃🕺🏾

Hope that you get to experience one of these dance parties in the near future. Until then, take a look at other blog post videos that I have captured on this site.