Heather Hodges

When we lived in Destin, Florida as a kid, one of the most fun activities we did was play putt putt golf.  We had the chance to introduce the boys to this little game while we were in Gulf Shores.

The pirate ship.

Elijah during his hole in one shot.

And then here is grumpy Wade.  Please feel free to comment on his expression and attitude.  He was mad that he was winning and I didn’t seem to care. (I did care, I just didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.)  What is marriage coming to these days?

One of the coolest things we did on our vacation was to visit the U.S.S. Alabama a WWII Battleship and the U.S.S. Drumm a WWII Submarine in Mobile, Alabama. It was a very interesting and educational time for our family. If you are ever in Mobile, Alabama, I highly recommend spending a few hours here.

All my boys monkeying around on the battleship. It’s a wonder the thing is still a float after my crew was done climbing over every square inch.

Elijah at one of the anti-aircraft guns.

There was also an impressive collection of warplanes, including this Stealth Peacekeeper. Very cool!

Wade at the guns of the USS Drumm. This WWII era submarine was deployed in the Pacific. One of the interesting things we learned on this trip was that submarines made up about 2% of the US Navy’s fleet in WWII, but they were responsible for sinking 65% of enemy ships.

Inside the submarine.

Wade helps Elijah look through the periscope of the USS Drumm.

My family has just returned from a fantastic 2 week vacation.  Over the next few days I’ll post some pictures of our travels to Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The view from our condo at the Surf and Racquet Club.

I had the opportunity to make a few dives while we were in Hawaii this last week. The first dive I did was a shore dive from Makena Beach. The visibility was about 40 feet and the swell was up, but the most fascinating thing about it was that we could hear the whales singing. Sound travels much farther underwater and we were able to listen to the mothers and their new calves.

The next day Wade and I arrived at the marina around 6:30am to take an hour boat ride out to Molokini Crater. It is a half moon shaped volcanic island that is a marine sanctuary under water and a bird sanctuary on the island. The visibility was an astounding 100 feet. Wade could see me diving on the bottom while he snorkeled. We were able to see tons of reef fish as well as moray and garden eels. I kept hoping to see a white tip shark, but nothing. I suppose if I had seen one, I would have had to end my dive early since I would have drained my tank of air in one gasp.

Hang loose.

Spiny Puffer

Moray Eel.

Chasing my dinner, the ulua fish. Very tasty.

The next day, I took a 2 1/2 hour boat ride to the island of Lanai to dive the famous Cathedrals. They are ranked in the top 10 dive spots in the world. I was completely awed by their beauty. These formations are agent lava flows that have now been reclaimed by the sea, coral grows over every inch.

The rare Bandit Butterfly Fish.

I have no idea what the name of this fish is, it was not on any of my charts. Does anyone know? She almost looks like a harlequin.

The Trumpet Fish, which was about two feet long.

One of the many sea turtles (honu) we saw. He was hanging out at the bottom eating his lunch. Usually we would see them either on the surface getting air, or swimming.

The Lanai dives were the best dives I’ve ever been on. If you find yourself vacationing in Maui and have the chance to make only one dive trip, I would recommend the Lanai Cathedral dives over Molokini. As good as the crater was, nothing can compare to the beauty of the Cathedrals. Since then I have dreamed that I was still swimming through the lava tubes and seeing wonders that only few will experience. I am humbled and amazed that I had the incredible opportunity to live that kind of adventure, and to see up close the majesty of creation. God’s power and imagination have never been more clear to me than when I was 70 feet under water diving in the warm waters of Hawaii.

Wade and I returned home today after our “second honeymoon” in Hawaii this past week.  My parents deserve a medal for their willingness to go above and beyond the call of grandparent duty.  Their heroism in taking care of and taming Caleb and Elijah for a week will not be forgotten.  Thanks you guys!!!!

The weather was perfect, while we were there.  Wade called it “weather neutral,” not too hot, not too cold, not too windy, just right.  The water was beautiful, the snorkeling excellent, the food delicious, and the company outstanding.  If it hadn’t been for two little boys waiting for us back home (and two grandparents who would have hunted us down) we would have started looking for an apartment and jobs at the Shaka Pizza Shak.

The worst part of the whole trip was leaving 79 degree weather and arriving in 9 degree weather.  That just HURT, especially since I still had on my Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and flip flops.  Poor planning on my part.

Thanks again to everyone who helped me pull-off this surprise for Wade, I’m in your debt. (R.B. I guess you will take your pound of flesh in a few weeks when we head to Siberia.  Burrrrrr.  Bring it on, I’m ready.  See you soon.)

Makena Big Beach.  The largest undeveloped beach on Maui.

Almost sunset. We were on our way to Cafe O’Lei, our favorite eatery in Kihei.

The last lava flow on Maui erupted out of the side of Mt. Haleakela in 1790.  The area is a still a desolate moon scape after 200 years.

We stopped at the Maui Plantation at the base of the West Maui Mountains and I learned how to make a lei.

My new hand made lei.  More pictures to come of our underwater adventures.

Aloha ! We are leaving for the Valley Isle in the morning. I hope to do a few dives (Molokini Crater and the Back Wall, along with the famed Cathedral 1 & 2 off Lanai.) Wade will devour a no-footnote book a day. We will both lay on the beach, get tanned, snorkel and hopefully come home with charged batteries.

We bought a waterproof camera for our Florida vacation and we just got the pictures developed. Here are a few shots from our second dolphin adventure. As you can see I was a little more brave about approaching them, but I was still hyperventilating. There is nothing between the dolphins and me except beautiful green water. The last pictures are of the boys playing in the surf and yes, that is my 6 year old snorkeling.

On our last full day in Panama City, the preacher and his wife from the Palo Alto church, Luke and Lindsey, took us back out to see the dolphins. On the way we stopped at the beach on Shell Island and anchored our boat. We waded in the water and snorkeled for sand dollars and even caught a small puffer fish. While we were bent over looking at the puffer fish a school of about fifty stingrays swarmed around us. I think we were in their path and we startled them as much as they startled us. We jumped into the boat and snapped a few pictures before they were gone. I’ve since learned that stingrays are usually very docile creatures and rarely move around except to eat shell fish and crustaceans off the ocean floor. So for there to be so many moving so quickly was quite rare. They were beautiful creatures and appeared to be flying through the water.

We have enjoyed beautiful weather in Panama City, Florida on our family vacation. The boys have built and then destroyed many sandcastles. We’ve snorkeled and body surfed and even swam with dolphins. Wade and I have had our fill (almost) of sea food. We’ve met new friends and had a wonderful time. We leave here in the morning and my mind is already turning to the next adventures at hand…the mission trip to Ukraine and then seeing my good friend Cecilia. Florida and the Palo Alto church have treated us well, thanks you guys!