Aloha! Coming to you from Hawaii.

Aloha from the beautiful State of Hawaii. I am here visiting my brother, yeah its a tough life. He has lived here for a few years but will be moving back to the main land later this month so my opportunity to visit was quickly fleeting. I've been here almost a week and the experience has been amazing. I have to recommend taking a vacation in the winter time! Weather down here has been in the 80's and perfect. Right now I sit on my balcony at the Mauna Lanai Bay Hotel on the Big Island in Kona overlooking a glorious pool and the ocean. Sun is shinning, its a glorious day. I will be heading down to do some snorkeling shortly. If you are my friend on facebook then you have most likely seen these images, there are many many more on FB actually, I thought I should share some on the blog for everyone else.

Pineapple fields on Oahu (the Dole plantation)

We caught a the pipeline surfing competition on North Shore. Look closely you can see the dude coming through the barrel here.

I don't know the name of these tree's but I love them.

Fun with self portraits, me and my brother Geoff.

ahhhhhh

Geoff took me on a 5 mile hike through the Honolulu rain forest. These tree's are Strangler Fig's.

View of Honolulu from the rain forest.

I love these tree's.

even the jungle needs some flare.

AMAZING!!!

possibly my favorite portrait of Geoff.

can't go wrong with a sunset.

Some dude jumping off into the ocean.

a little detail of lava rock and texture.

We hiked around the crater and through the lava lake. This volcano erupted in the 1950's, we actually got to see a little video documentary of the eruption before hiking. Its amazing to see life finding a way.

A giant fern unrolling.

Heading down crater rim drive where recent lava flow has gone to the sea.

kind of reminds me of New Mexico

We had a little too much fun jumping and goofing off for photos.

This is the "Hi Mom!" Shot.

Lava flow in 2008 and 2009 closed this road.

more jumping, Geoff gets some good air!

So there's a little peak for you to enjoy, more photos are on facebook if you want to check them out. We head back to Honolulu tonight, I highly recommend a trip to the Big Island if you come to Hawaii. Its an amazing place full of wonder. I can fully understand why some people come to Hawaii for vacation and never return home. Although I do love the change is seasons, I think coming down here in the middle of winter is a nice break from the winter doldrums.

I will come back refreshed that's for sure! Now off to the ocean for some snorkeling. Aloha!

An evening with Sarah and Jess

We just returned from a super fun evening of hanging out with Sarah and Jess here in D.C. So great to see you guys, I am happy we were able to get together. If you're ever in Philly be sure to give me a ring.


Heading home tomorrow and looks like its been great timing, the rain is going to roll in tomorrow. Its been a beautiful week here in D.C.

D.C. at night

Geoff and I wandered around a little yesterday evening. I really love how D.C. is illuminated at night. We weren't out for too long, I get a little creeped out with patches of darkness and wandering around with a big camera.

An attempt with the self timer, it was a bit challenging because it was dark and hard to focus, I set it up on the ground so once I hit the button I had to get up and get over and get into the photo and look "natural". Whew. So not the most flattering vantage point for me, but Geoff looks great!

View of the Thomas Jefferson memorial from afar.

And of course the Washington Monument.

I took it easy most of the day yesterday because the top of my feet/ankles are really sore. Not sure what I did exactly but it is a little painful to walk. We have done a TON of walking this week and I have worn a variety of shoes, I think I hurt myself when I wore flip flops one day. So its really just annoying. I am happy I don't have a wedding this weekend, although I have a super cool engagement shoot up in New Haven CT!

By the way I have received ZERO entries in the Mothers Day contest. We will see if anyone submits anything last minute but if not then next year I make sure to give people more time. I would like to receive at least three entries in order for me to give away one session.

Enjoy this beautiful day!

Florida trip recap

Ahh we are finally home. The drive home really did us in. This weekend was just a nightmare on the road, so much traffic. After traveling for over 30 hours we were very happy to sleep in our own bed last night.
So a little recap of our trip. On the way down we had to stop at South of the Border, which before a couple weeks ago I had never heard of. It was something let me tell ya. In New Mexico I am used to seeing these types of Billboards for Running Indian and such so this was a treat to see how they do it on the east coast.

These images are on our way down to Florida, we stopped to stretch our legs and check out the sights. On the way back we actually stayed at the Motor Inn there. If you are into vintage things you would really dig the motel. It was pretty cool.

Don and Alma with the big gorilla.

I got to ride the jackalope

Self portrait

Woohoo Florida! We miss you already.

Me and Don on the gondola at Busch Gardens

On the way home we stopped and got some yummy items at the Orange Shop, cool sign!

Besides taking photos on the way down and back I didn't pick up the camera much on this trip. It was very relaxing. We really enjoyed our time at Don's parents and coming home is a bit depressing since we got used to walking Alma in a beautiful neighborhood, quiet and inhabited by people who care about their surroundings. We feel we need to be retired and living in a gated community like that.
There is a ton to catch up on now so I need to get back to business. Happy Monday.