Hawaii

Multi View of Hawaii

Hawaii is a state that I would love to visit.  Since I have never been there I can only tell you what I would love to see if I traveled there someday.  In my mind, Hawaii is a tropical paradise with many unique features. 



Waikiki View (1981)



I would love to see the black sand beaches.  With over 750 miles of coastline, there are many beaches with sand colors ranging from white to green to black. The ever changing coastline must make each beach unique.  Some must have gentle waves if the surroundings protect the beach.  In other places the ocean must be wild and exciting.  The endless waves of the Pacific must be why so many surfers love Hawaiian beaches.   

I would love to see the coral reef and the marine life near it if I could learn how to scuba dive.  How marvelous it must be to see in the clear waters.

I think it is fascinating that this one state has a climate that varies from tropical to Alpine and from dry to wet, depending upon which side of the island you are on.   To enjoy warm temperature all year, yet see the tops of the mountains (volcanoes) with snow caps during the winter has to be amazing.

Plantation Crop - Pineapples

Museums are usually some of my favorite places to visit but it would be hard to be indoors in such a beautiful place with daily warm weather.  There is a Tropical Botanical Garden which would be a favorite place for me since I love flowers and gardens.  To see the abundance of plant life and also to tour a pineapple plantation would be interesting.

I’d like to see a volcano from a safe distance since I am not much of a risk taker.  It must be thrilling to watch the lava flow into the edge of the sea, forming new land. 

I’m the kind of traveler who would rather stroll around a small Hawaiian town to see how it would feel to live there than to travel from one tourist site to another.  I would of course enjoy the scenery and I feel sure Hawaii has many spectacular places to see.     



Poynesian Cultural Center



If I could, a cruise to each island would be a marvelous experience, especially if I could see dolphins and whales along the way.



I would like to pay my respects at the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor at the memorial there.



There is so much to see in Hawaii and these are just a few of the ones that I think I would enjoy the most.  If you are able to plan a trip to Hawaii, your list might be very different.  To plan a great trip there, check out their website at http://www.gohawaii.com .

Florida

Listening to the tide brush the shore, feeling the cool, salty air through the open window, lying between clean smelling sheets – this is a wonderful way to be lulled to sleep at night.  Waking up to the crash of the waves with the early light brightening the room around you is wonderful.  Spending the day strolling along soft white sand, wading in the shoreline, swimming with the waves, basking in the sunshine  - this is the way to spend a relaxing day.  Welcome to Florida where the beaches surround the state on three sides.

Vintage Postcard prior to Disney World when the
Space Center was called Cape Canaveral

Florida is a state that is probably well known all over the world.  It is a state that seems like a dream come true with tropical or sub-tropical weather all year long, lots of fun places to go, a four hundred year old history and sparkling white beaches.  Oh yes, don’t forget Disney World, the Everglades, The Kennedy Space Center and a few other attractions.  This state is truly a vacation spot.

If you like history, St. Augustine is commonly called the nation’s oldest city and has many interesting buildings to see.  If you love the beach, you have your pick of those on the Gulf of Mexico side or the Atlantic side.  A trip to the Keyes involves a highway that skips along from one key to the next.  This has been the playground for many of the rich and famous for years.       
  

 

Old Spanish Inn



St. Augustine City Gate and Oldest
Wooden Schoolhouse in the USA

Even though I have been to Florida a number of times, there are so many places that I still have not visited.  I’d like to see a manatee and perhaps swim with the dolphins.  An airboat ride in the Everglades sounds like it would be a lot of fun. Epcot Center is one of the places I have never been and would really enjoy seeing. 

Cindrella Castle
Fantasy World

One of the most impressive things about Florida is the abundant plant life.  Everything seems to be green.  The warm temperatures and high humidity allow for so many tropical and sub-tropical species to thrive here.  Summers feel very hot because of that humidity.  Many travelers prefer the spring, fall or winter when it is usually more comfortable.  Occasional dips in the jet stream send cold air to the region but they are uncommon and normally last only a day or two.

White Sand Beaches

Because of the multitude of things to do and places to see, a trip to Florida should be planned in advance to choose your favorite places.  To view all available places, the official state tourism site is http://www.visitflorida.com

Delaware

This project is beginning to make me wonder if I really know what I’m talking about.  I feel like I am completely failing on this state.  It’s not the state – it’s me.  I’m sorry to mess this one up so bad.  It has taken me so long because I keep drawing a blank when I try to figure out what to write.   I honestly don’t know enough to tell you anything.

I have driven through Delaware many times but the only time I actually was”there” was when my Dad had to attend a meeting of some kind at Dover Air Force Base when I was about 13.  (60 years ago!)  I was at that miserable stage when nothing was interesting to me and I was just aggravated and wanted Dad to hurry so we could go home.  Therefore, I have no real impression of Delaware that can tell you anything you can’t figure out for yourself.  Below are just a few things that might begin to give you a picture of Delaware. 

Fun Map of Delaware

 Delaware is the second smallest of the United States, just a bit larger than Rhode Island.  At its narrowest spot, it is only 9 miles wide (14 kilometers).  It is not quite 100 miles (about 154 kilometers) from North to South and is only 35 miles or 56 kilometers at the widest point from West to East.  In this compact state are 900,000 people making it the sixth most populous state. 

Its unique location allows Delaware to have both fresh and salt water beaches along with all kinds of water sports.   Beaches and summer water sports are a favorite attraction.

The second longest twin span suspension bridge in the world is the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

There is no commercial air service in the state because it is close enough to other airports that it is not necessary to provide this service locally.  Passengers normally fly out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  or Washington, D. C.

The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Contest is an annual event along with other unique fairs and festivals.  This is televised and is a fun event because it is so unusual.  Contestants build all kinds of machinery to throw their pumpkin as far as possible.  That means catapults, cannons and other engineering contraptions. 



Zwaanendaek Museum in Lewis, Delaware
Built to celebrate the Dutch settlement here in 1631.



Dover Air Force Base is the entry point for deceased members of the military service fallen in  the line of duty.

The state has developed several self tours depending upon your particular interest.  You can try out the Geocaching Trail, The Wine and Ale Trail, History Trail or the Culinary Trail.  All of these are shown in detail on the Delaware tourism site located at:

http://www.visitdelaware.com