We’re back. Sort of. Shortly after returning we came down with the flu. Nasty stuff. It wiped us out and we are still suffering the after-effects: Brain fog. But there’s more, a type of lethargy. I gave it a Hawaiian name, lac-a-wanna. Each morning I sit down to whip out a blog, it strikes. I snuggle down into my comfy chair for a nap. Peggy has a solution. “Just post some photos, Curt.” Okay. Waterfalls always work. We visited two: Rainbow Falls in Hilo and Akaka Falls just north of Hilo. But first, this…
We came across this sign just outside of Akaka Falls State Park. For a mere $20, we could cuddle a cow. Woohoo! Who could resist cuddling Elsie? Step aside kittens and puppies.Turns out, the farm is run by the Hare Krishna Cult. Remember when the members used to march through airports in their Indian clothes, chanting and soliciting funds? At least here, they were giving you something in return, assuming cow cuddling is your thing. The Krishna folks even have a sense of humor about it. You can buy a t-shirt. Or…A comfy cow cuddle pillow. In case your are wondering, Peggy and I passed on the opportunity to shell out $40 between us for the privilege. But back to the falls starting with Rainbow Falls in Hilo.We’ll start with a photo of the falls photographed through a spider web since it seems to reflect the state of our mind right now, fuzzy.The twin falls of the Wailuku River plunge about 80 feet. The large cave behind it, hidden in the shadows, is said to be the home of the Hawaiian Goddess, Hina, mother of the God Maui.An upper view of the falls. The falls were given their nickname because you can often see rainbows in the falls on sunny days. We didn’t, and believe me, Peggy was looking. She loves rainbows.There was also unique flora such as this leaf that was about to open.We thought it might resemble the leaf to the right of it.The size of the leaves in Hawaii always blows my mind. As do the number of vines that find their way up almost every tree. In addition to flora, there is interesting fauna. The Rainbow Falls cave was the perfect sanctuary for Hina in ancient times, except for a giant lizard or mo’o named Kuna, who would hassle Hina by throwing boulders and logs over the falls when the river flooded. Hina was safe in her cave, however, until one day Kuna blocked the river with thoughts of drowning her. Hina called desperately for her son Maui, who heard her plea and rushed over to save her. First, he knocked the huge boulder aside that was blocking the river and then he went in hot pursuit after Kuna, eventually catching the giant lizard and pounding him with his mighty club. Thus ended Kuna and the story, except…When we got back to our car to drive back to our home from Rainbow falls, Kuna’s small cousin, Little Mo’o had taken over the hood of our car and refused to budge. “Aha, Little Mo’o, I told him, let’s see how well you hold on when Peggy is driving 60 MPH down the highway!”Little Mo’o was still perched on the hood when we arrived home! He had hardly moved. How it had managed to hold on was totally beyond us. Akaka Falls, north of Hilo, is 442 feet tall.Unfortunately, heavy vegetation didn’t let us see the bottom of the falls. There was a fence on the edge that I could have perched precariously on and possibly got a shot, but I had visions of making it to my 82nd birthday, which was three weeks away.We satisfied ourselves with taking pictures of the top of the falls.Close-ups.And the attractive Hawaiian vegetation.Including bananas. That’s it for the day. I’ve earned my nap. Next up will either be more of Hawaii or we will be back on the Danube River.
Indeed, GP. I can always go back and work on processing photos when things get too dark out there. But Peggy and I also plan things to pull us forward. Next up is a trip to the Southwest for a few months. We want to get out and revisit some of America’s great national parks, just in case they go away.
It would be a tragedy of unusual proportions, G. Hopefully, America won’t let it happen.
Excellent photos!
Hope you recover soon. Canadian friends of ours here in AZ report they were not feeling well. They tested and found they had Covid, again. They report lethargy, though they pointed out that it fit in just fine with the afternoon nap they normally had anyway…
Oh so sorry you and Peggy got the darn bug, Curt. Peggy had it right as the photo bug and you always delivers. It’s always fun to revisit Hawaii photos and remind me why I never need to barf in a bag on the helicopter again to so the Hilo falls.. lol.. beautiful as they are. The leaves are big and so much to love about the place. The t-shirt and pillow are too funny! I’d pass too! Feel better soon! 💓
What? No cow cuddling, Cindy. You could work it into your therapy sessions and keep a cow out back with the rest of the menagerie. 🐄Barfing in a bag is an experience that’s best left to others. Grin.
I have lots of interests too, but I’m quite content. Certainly thus far I’m not feeling a need to be pulled out of it. It’s more like a peaceful surrender. A.
Good for you, Alison. Sounds quite blissful.
Pretty waterfalls. I like the perspective of looking through the spider web. Hope you feel better soon!
Curt, so sorry you picked up a bug after your Hawaii adventure. I hope you are better soon. Your images are wonderful. I love the one looking at the waterfall through the spider web.
Beautiful falls, Curt. When I was one the big island, I made sure to visit them as well. I didn’t know the story behind the Rainbow Falls, so thanks for that! And the little Mo’o photo. I also didn’t cuddle a cow, oh well – an opportunity lost. Hehe. I hope you’re starting to feel a little better. Hugs to you and Peggy. And just in case I forget later …. Happy 82nd Birthday!
Thanks, D on the birthday and get well wishes. We are feeling better, good enough in fact to start getting ready for our four month exploration of the Southwest. Some of today will be devoted to repacking our trailer. Grin. We are eager to be on the road again. Plenty of cows up your way to cuddle, if you see the need. Enjoying the book!
Sounds like a plan, Curt. Glad the flu is behind you. A great time to explore the SW before summer sets in.
What a great post for still feeling poorly, Curt. Well done. Little Mo’o is amazing! Definitely offspring of the one from ancient times. The monstera climbing the tree just blows my mind, so beautiful. We have one in our bathroom, but it is not that big, ha ha! I also loved the photo of the baby monstera leaf getting ready to open. It looks like pure potential, packed in a tight roll.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Hope you are starting to feel better. At least you have beautiful memories to carry you into your 82nd!!
Indeed, GP. I can always go back and work on processing photos when things get too dark out there. But Peggy and I also plan things to pull us forward. Next up is a trip to the Southwest for a few months. We want to get out and revisit some of America’s great national parks, just in case they go away.
God help us if they do disappear, Curt.
It would be a tragedy of unusual proportions, G. Hopefully, America won’t let it happen.
Excellent photos!
Hope you recover soon. Canadian friends of ours here in AZ report they were not feeling well. They tested and found they had Covid, again. They report lethargy, though they pointed out that it fit in just fine with the afternoon nap they normally had anyway…
Laughing about the afternoon nap. I usual have one as well. It’s when I added the morning nap that I became concerned.
Oh so sorry you and Peggy got the darn bug, Curt. Peggy had it right as the photo bug and you always delivers. It’s always fun to revisit Hawaii photos and remind me why I never need to barf in a bag on the helicopter again to so the Hilo falls.. lol.. beautiful as they are. The leaves are big and so much to love about the place. The t-shirt and pillow are too funny! I’d pass too! Feel better soon! 💓
What? No cow cuddling, Cindy. You could work it into your therapy sessions and keep a cow out back with the rest of the menagerie. 🐄Barfing in a bag is an experience that’s best left to others. Grin.
hahahaha… one client had a cow lick her and landed in the hospital from some horrid disease.. I best not add one. I would agree with that alright! 👍🏽
Oh my. The only cowlick that has ever threatened me is in the hair on my head which occasionally insists upon going wild.
Hahahaha you are soooo funny!!! 💗
Sorry to hear. Hope you are both better soon.
Thanks Cindy. We are on our way to recovery.
I have a big case of lac-a-wanna myself. Not sure I’ll ever get over it. Hugs to you two.
Alison
It isn’t easy, Alison. A step at a time, but one solution I’ve found, is to have lots of interests. I can usually find something to pull me forward.
I have lots of interests too, but I’m quite content. Certainly thus far I’m not feeling a need to be pulled out of it. It’s more like a peaceful surrender.
A.
Good for you, Alison. Sounds quite blissful.
Pretty waterfalls. I like the perspective of looking through the spider web. Hope you feel better soon!
Getting there, Diana. Thanks.
The web was interesting and turned out better than I expected. The fact that it fit my post was a bonus. Grin.
May you recover soon.
Well on my way, Arati. Thanks.
I can’t help it. Your ‘Lac-a-wanna’ brings to mind the Lackawanna Railroad! I hope you’re back on track soon!
Ah, I misdiagnosed my problem, Linda. I was railroaded.
Curt, so sorry you picked up a bug after your Hawaii adventure. I hope you are better soon. Your images are wonderful. I love the one looking at the waterfall through the spider web.
Thanks, Beth. We are feeling good enough to start focusing on our next adventure. Grin. The spiderweb was one of our favorites as well.
Beautiful falls, Curt. When I was one the big island, I made sure to visit them as well. I didn’t know the story behind the Rainbow Falls, so thanks for that! And the little Mo’o photo. I also didn’t cuddle a cow, oh well – an opportunity lost. Hehe. I hope you’re starting to feel a little better. Hugs to you and Peggy. And just in case I forget later …. Happy 82nd Birthday!
Thanks, D on the birthday and get well wishes. We are feeling better, good enough in fact to start getting ready for our four month exploration of the Southwest. Some of today will be devoted to repacking our trailer. Grin. We are eager to be on the road again. Plenty of cows up your way to cuddle, if you see the need. Enjoying the book!
Sounds like a plan, Curt. Glad the flu is behind you. A great time to explore the SW before summer sets in.
What a great post for still feeling poorly, Curt. Well done. Little Mo’o is amazing! Definitely offspring of the one from ancient times. The monstera climbing the tree just blows my mind, so beautiful. We have one in our bathroom, but it is not that big, ha ha! I also loved the photo of the baby monstera leaf getting ready to open. It looks like pure potential, packed in a tight roll.
Cow cuddling haha…love that!