The USA

My Muddy Boots : This was on the Kohala Forest Preserve Waipi'o Valley Trail. It was dry when we started the trail, but as we got deeper into the valley, it got very foggy and it started to rain. My expensive Gore-Tex Waterproof boots were useless… My Titanium Columbia Waterproof Jacket was not so waterproof anymore, and my waterproof backpack ...

Our week in Florida was amazing! It’s such a treat to leave the Canadian Winter behind in February and go south. It’s so strange to get off the plane and be in warm sunshine! Here are some pictures from the trip… More pictures from Florida in our Florida Photo Gallery

Kekaha Beach Park : On our drive to The Waimea Canyon on Kauai we stopped to watch the pounding surf and big waves of Kekaha Beach. It was a bit too brisk for swimming and the wind was strong but in the distance we could see Ni'ihau. DAMI More Hawaii pictures in our Hawaii Photo Gallery

Big Island Phone Book : I wish we had a nice phonebook like this one! I love the embossed glossy red head letters, note the seashell, the palm tree and the surfboard. Awesome. DD More Hawaii pictures in our Hawaii Photo Gallery

Vultures on The Pier : At the end of the boardwalk at Manatee Springs State Park is a floating pier where we had lunch. Above us there were hundreds of black vultures circling overhead. On every post and surface and available tree branch there percahed a huge black vulture! It was strangely frightening yet oh so beautiful! DAMI More Florida ...

Walt Disney World – Animal Kingdom – Kali River Rapids : Another view of the rapids. More WDW pictures in our Walt Disney World Photo Gallery

On our Tampa visit I was excited to visit Big Cat Rescue as part of our vacation.  Big Cat Rescue is the largest accredited sanctuary in the USA dedicated entirely to abused and abandoned big cats. They do education, outreach, and rescue for big cats around the world and support the efforts to end the exploitation of big cats. I follow ...

Marriott – Residence Inn – Studio Room Kitchen : I was very satisfied with the room I got. It had everything I needed and even more. I didn't have time to go to the grocery store so the big fridge was empty. There was even a diswasher that the cleaning lady used to wash a fork and a cup! If ...

WDW – Hollywood Studios – Studio Backlot Tour – Posters : Lights! Camera! Action! A journey to Catastrophe Canyon, Experience the Backlot Sets of new York Street, Harbour attack special effects water tank. More WDW pictures in our Walt Disney World Photo Gallery More DD & Mama D WDW pictures in our DD & Mama D Walt Disney World Photo Gallery

Walt Disney World – Animal Kingdom – Asia – Expedition Everest : I didn't do this ride unfortunately. I have motion sickness and I wasn't sure if this was a good idea. But it sure looked like fun! And it looked like a real mountain. More WDW pictures in our Walt Disney World Photo Gallery

Waikiki From The Air : From the air, the view of Waikiki just out of Honolulu airport is incredible. The altitude gives you a total panorama of Waikiki beach and Diamondhead and the hills that slowly ease back from the bluest of Pacific waters! Oahu from the air offered an absolutely mind-blowing perspective of the topography of the island. It ...

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Kitty! : This cat didn't seem to belong to anybody. It wanted its space so unfortunately I wasn't able to pet it. It's always nice to see cats on vacation while ours, Pauline is at home all alone 🙁 DD More Hawaii pictures in our Hawaii Photo Gallery

WDW 2011 – Port Orlean Riverside – Magnolia Terrace – Room 8927 – Dining Table : It was great to have a fridge in the room. There's was no microwave so I brought a portable kitchen range to boil water for teas and to reheat stuff. I made sure I always unplugged it after use and never cooked anything that ...

Sea Turtle : This Sea Turtle of Hawai'i is also known as the Honu. Seeing one up close while snorkling is a magical moment! DAMI More Hawaii pictures in our Hawaii Photo Gallery

WDW – Hollywood Studios – Toy Story Midway Mania Entrance Sign : This attraction was one Mama D's favorite even though I kicked her butt on the ride! More WDW pictures in our Walt Disney World Photo Gallery More DD & Mama D WDW pictures in our DD & Mama D Walt Disney World Photo Gallery

Marriott Residence Inn – Studio Room – Entrance : I made myself comfortable as soon as I arrived to my room. It had everything I needed. To the left there's the kitchen and to the right there's a lounge couch. and a desk. There was no wheels under the TV stand but it wasn't too heavy to move around ...

We got up at 7 so we could take a trip to Animal Kingdom and I am so looking forward to it! Another bright sunny day and as we walked towards the front gate it really feels like you are entering the Kingdom of the Animals! You can see the Tree of Life rising high above the canopy of trees ...

Spanish Moss Draped On Tree : At Ocean Pond campsite, in Central Florida, we were presented with an incredible sunset. This towering tree above our campsite was covered with strands of delicate Spanish Moss and the sunset and smokey air created a marvelous atmosphere! More Florida pictures in our Florida Photo Gallery

Hawaii Photo Gallery

Florida Lighthouse : As we drove from Apalachicola along the Forgotten Coast Line of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida we saw a historical lighthouse site that really intrigued me. I am always drawn to aging rusting structures and this vintage lighthouse was superb! The enclosed ladder of the tower was something I'd never seen before and it reminded me ...

Kauai Surf : As we strolled on the beach near Waipouli, just outside of the Resort Quest hotel near the Coconut Plantation Marketplace, we were greeted with rolling white caps and picturesque ocean views! The soft beach beneath our bare feet was an active and crashing scene with lage waves tumbling to the shore as we walked. Just outside of ...

Diamond Head State Monument Entrance : Walking up the road to the entrance of Diamondhead Crater was awesome and here DD stands on the yellow line before we pass through the tunnel passing into the crater! This huge wall rose in front of us and we entered the tunnel that was echoeing and dark in the hot still afternoon. It ...

Ever since we’ve been planning our Tampa trip we’ve been excited to be visiting the Lowry Park Zoo because we’ve read some good reviews of the zoo and the variety of creatures they housed. The Zoo is a five-time winner of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence (as of 2015) and is one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern USA. It ...

Dami at The Waimea Canyon in Kauai : Dami was always closer to the edge than me. I was a little bit scared. You have to see it to feel it! It is freaking big! It is the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. DD More Hawaii pictures in our Hawaii Photo Gallery

Manatee Cowboy : Catching a Manatee at Rainbow Springs or even at Manatee Springs can proove to be a difficult task but here we see DAMI riding a Manatee as if there was no trouble at all to doing it! DD was down snorkling in the spring searching for the Gentle Sea Cos while DAMI just found a Manatee to ...