Conch /
The conch shell in Hawaii is used by skilled practitioners for a variety of purposes, some are not shared with those outside of the natives to that culture. However, most events and ceremonies officially start with the blowing of the shell. We watched a trio and two dancers from the University of Hawaii one night in Waikiki. The presentation began with this man, who has been doing this for years, creating a loud, pure note that he did more than one time and in more than one direction. All of those details matter but it was done with little explanation. What was clear was how skilled this man was and how respected for his gift.
And now for something different. /
These photos are from two different Episcopal churches in Ashe County, NC. The contain striking frescoes done by the artist, Ben Long, a North Carolina native. People come from all over the world to view them. It is quite unique that both churches are open 24 hours a day and there is no charge. You push a button to hear a lengthy, very well done, talk about the art work and the meaning behind them. The churches are about 10 miles apart. Highly recommend the time and effort to see them if you are in the West Jefferson area of North Carolina. Holy Trinity is in Glendale Springs and St. Mary’s is in West Jefferson. I thought the last supper was really well done, visually distinct, and the effort in the expressions and details of the work are fascinating.
Forgotton /
An old shed along a Virginia byway.
Fan /
The array. colors and scope of the flowers in Hawaii - even though I had read about the beautiful colors, was still astonishing to see in person. I was especially surprised by those deep in the woods along trails. This one may or may not be a flower but at about 2 feet across it was stunning in the deep woods of Haleakala National Park.
"Sign of Good Taste" /
Coke slogan from 1957 when I think you could buy one here and sit on the porch. Near Halifax, Virginia on Route 57. Actually you can still sit on the porch.
Hope Your Day is a Howling Success /
Happy Halloween. This is my latest carving, a pumpkin head hobo. The last photo is the whole menagerie of seasonal carvings.
Photo taken (quickly) in Pittsburgh, PA /
Dressed Up for Fall /
Just off Route 57 between Chatham and South Boston I came across the old house that may be supported by the foliage around it. I liked the soft colors of fall.
Not Hawaii /
I shot this on a trail at Umstead State Park last week. I did not think of posting it, but the more I looked at it the more I liked it. In the frame are leaves both under and on the water, pine needles likewise with some both, sky and tree reflections and even a fern plus the different shapes and colors. Instant abstract painting.
So, do I have more Hawaii, snicker. But I felt like I was missing fall so next few days a bit of both leaning to the fall.
Upon Further Review /
We were hiking a longer trial that usual in Maui and I saw this interesting flower close to the trail and went to see if I could get close for a better shot. And I did. However I noticed the small bug on the middle petal on the left side. At the time I saw it I couldn’t quite reach the plant to shake it off but I took the photo anyway. I was standing in an awkward place and not too secure. So quickly back to the trail. I stopped to see if the shot was in focus AND THEN I noted the large, unpleasant, bight blue creature next to the first benign bug. I am glad I could not reach the plant.
If you enlarge this you can see the very long protruding rod from its head. I think that is what is uses to kill you.
"Thar She Blows"* /
This is a blow hole located on the very Northwest coast of Maui. We watched as several eruptions soared dwarfing the people who ventured near the outlet. The wind was strong and even yards away the spray would reach you.
Authentic dialogue from every old movie involving hunting whales ever filmed and most of them were hunting a white whale.
It was just as much fun to watch the column of water collapse.
Different - /
This photo differs a lot from my usual type of edit. I like sharp and colorful photos and this I did the opposite. I muted the color just a bit, softened and blurred the image and darkened the background. Then I enhanced the little silvery slivers shimmering in the water. I like the colors, mood and atmosphere of the lilies found in a garden in Hawaii. Thick foliage covered the whole canopy over the water with just a shaft of light touching the lily pads. I may try a few more like this, it was interesting and I really like the final image. Look out C. Monet.
Watching /
This is the Haleakala Observatory at the peak of the Haleakala National Park over 10,000 feet. It is owned by the university and currently has seven different facilities including some leased by the US Air Force. It glowed in the sunrise but 15 minutes later you could not see a single building when dense fog and clouds enveloped the mountain.
From the Big Island of Hawaii /
Kona /
Kona the coffee. We stayed on a Coffee Plantation in the nice apartment over the large garage on the Big Island. It was a great location and we were nestled in among more than 100 coffee trees on the side of the mountain overlooking the town of Kailua-Kona. This area did not match my expectations of a coffee plantation but it is typical for the area with scores of people growing small acreage of coffee trees. Our host’s trees produce about 7500 pounds of coffee each year. We enjoyed the local beans he produced with the free coffee provided with the rental. We did not bring any home because he does not sell his coffee retail and the pure Kona coffee on the island was between 65 and 90 a pound. We enjoyed our morning coffee and an occasional cup in a coffee shop.
Uncomfortable /
This is a view of the famous Waipio Valley and it’s black sand beach. This valley is special to the Hawaiian native culture and the place where King Kamehameha - who united the islands in a single kingdom, was secretly buried. The road down from the overlook is extremely steep and regular automobiles are not permitted. The day we were here no one was permitted to drive or walk to the beach. There is an ongoing rather recent protest about the valley and those who want it closed occupy the area around the overlook and make it difficult to visit by taking most of the parking spaces with their cars, canopies, signs, road blocks and their presence standing on the road. We parked at one of the few spaces open a few dozen yards from the protest area and walked. The protesters basically ingored us and the other 4 or 5 people trying for a view. Yet they let you know they would rather you were not here. The police had just left when we arrived and I think they are checking on access since the court ruled the protest could not just completely shut the viewing area down and did allow a handful of people access to the beach, with permits. That did not include tourists like us. Still we got to see a glimpse and, depending on the courts final rulings, that may not happen in the future.
Chocolate! /
What a treat we found on the road to Hilo on the Big Island. We went north of the main road at a town called Honokaa to get a glimpse of the Waipio Valley (get to that tomorrow on TLT). We stopped in town to get an image of two of the interesting old buildings and saw an advert for a chocolate company with a tour and a tasting time. Sweet! So we went. It was a short distance from town but felt otherworldly with the deep foliage surrounding the tiny farm and its four small scale buildings. The company is on an old 5 acre farm and without the bright red sign would be very easy to miss. It is not Hershey’s “let’s build a whole village and a massive factory” kind of place. The company is called Honokaa Chocolate Company and the claim to fame is that they grow a lot of the beans they use right here. I think they mentioned another field or two not on the original acreage. So grown in Hawaii and made in Hawaii. Neat. And they do it well. We enjoyed a tasting of three kinds, though they make more varieties, and learned a bit about process and production. Again quite a contrast to Chocolate World. An owner, Mike, was passionate and knowledgeable and gave us a good overview of their products and the growing of the cacao trees. A serendipitous stop and, yes, we bought some souvenirs!
You can learn more about the Honokaa Chocolate here: https://honokaachocolateco.com
Mike explaining what we were about to taste.
Recently planted trees.
More mature plants near the gate
Honokaa also makes very small batch infused chocolate
This is one of the aging barrels with a Hawaiian product
Don’t forget a bit to take home.
The gate to a cool chocolate adventure
Delicate Beauty /
Found outside our room at Kona.
Early Church /
In the tiny community of Keanea on the road to Hana is this beautiful old stone Congregational Church, the Lanakila Ihiihi O Iehova Ona Kaua Church, built in the 1860’s. It is still used for worship and some community events. It is across a ball field from a place to park along the ocean and there were no trespassing signs up so this is as close as I was able to get. I did note a fundraiser scheduled to help repair the building. This is the only structure to survive the devastating tsunami of April 1, 1946.
