The Final Day

The Final Day

June 14, 2011

We checked out of our house (boohoo!) We took the scenic highway through the beautiful mountains. It has quite a view from the top.

Pearl Harbor Part Deux

Our biggest goal was to get back to Pearl Harbor and take the ferry out to the USS Arizona Memorial. We went through this wonderful museum and it was so fun for me to see my children excited about history. Kayla was particularly interested. I always hope that we have been able to teach them to respect what has happened in our history and respect those who have served and who do serve in the military to protect us.

(Using the code breaker machine)

(Torpedo wreckage found in the 1990s when they dredged the harbor)

(A piece of wreckage from the USS Arizona)

The tour starts out with a very informational movie which really explains why the Japanese attacked and included real footage which I always find fascinating. Then we took a ferry ride out to the USS Arizona. The memorial is beautiful and touching as you can see the actual ship beneath you. It is humbling to think of all the soldiers entombed there and see the thousands of names engraved on the wall. We were able to see the USS Missouri from a distance as well.

(The view if you look up from the memorial)

We also hit Walmart for some awesome souvenir shopping and I even broke down and got a sarong and Marisa got the ukulele she has been wanting.

We made it Home!

Our plane left Honolulu at 6:40PM and we had a long, bumpy flight that arrived in Dallas at 7:00AM. Our flight to Cedar Rapids was delayed, but we made it home safely. We were all a little home sick and happy to be home again. But we miss Hawaii terribly!