Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Well this is a story about the Resort we were traveling too. I like to call it the “BOWLER RANCH”. There are dogs, chickens, birds, pigs, horses, donkeys, a Zebra (yes a Zebra) and some really long horned cattle in the area and can be seen on a regular basis. There are Lava Tubes in the area also and in fact some located on the Ranch, they are actually caves which are explored by Al’s neighbors. The Cavers, as they are known locally, will give you a tour of the caves, and study them frequently. Other critters in the area are the pre-historic Moths which have a wing span of up to 6” (the biggest one I have seen) and they are not afraid of you. I believe they live in the caves and are attracted to lights at night.
The land or I should say the property base is an actual Lava flow with intricate patterns, shapes, color and texture. The area for the house was tested for hollow spots or caverns to ensure a solid foundation for the house and other construction areas. To develop the property, crushed lava, dirt and selected rock had to be hauled in to for the driveways, parking areas, lanai, flower beds and tree bases.
There are some natural trees in the area but very few around here or should I say at this elevation which makes a huge difference in rain fall, temperature and vegetation. Al has a tree (I believe it is an Ohelo Tree) as the centerpiece for the front yard; it is a work of art, partly covered with leaves and part dormant, with twisted and crooked branches which add to one of natures master pieces. Other species planted in the area are Cactus, succulents, shrubs, palms and vines.
Two of the varieties deserve to be expanded on, the Bougainvillea and the Ironwood trees, both varieties are established all over the island. First will be the Bougainvillea, classified as evergreen in wet climates and deciduous in dry areas. If given some soil, fertilizer and water on a regular basis, two to four times a week, the plants will take hold and produce a beautiful crop of flowers and thorns tipped with a black waxy substance. The plants will grow a vine up to 12’long which could tear you to shreds if you are caught in them. Some people plant them as a hedge around the property to keep all critters out. They are thick and impenetrable so nothing except bugs gets through them, but they are beautiful and come in a variety of colors.
The other plant or I should say tree to discuss is the Iron Wood Tree. They are fast growing, about a foot a year and are soft and supple with fine leaves or needles. At certain stages of life or seasons the tops get a yellow powder on them, probably pollen which attracts bees like honey. They softly sway in the breeze and you can hear the wind whisper in the branches as they slowly sway like an exotic dancer to slow, soft music.
Development of the landscape is an ongoing project and a trial and error situation due to the requirements of new species and the ability to have scheduled care and water applied. The local weather patterns appear to have been routed around the local area, probably due to the hills and being close to South Point, therefore it is a dry area. Although rain is scarce, when it does rain here it can be intense and last a few hours.
The land or I should say the property base is an actual Lava flow with intricate patterns, shapes, color and texture. The area for the house was tested for hollow spots or caverns to ensure a solid foundation for the house and other construction areas. To develop the property, crushed lava, dirt and selected rock had to be hauled in to for the driveways, parking areas, lanai, flower beds and tree bases.
There are some natural trees in the area but very few around here or should I say at this elevation which makes a huge difference in rain fall, temperature and vegetation. Al has a tree (I believe it is an Ohelo Tree) as the centerpiece for the front yard; it is a work of art, partly covered with leaves and part dormant, with twisted and crooked branches which add to one of natures master pieces. Other species planted in the area are Cactus, succulents, shrubs, palms and vines.
Two of the varieties deserve to be expanded on, the Bougainvillea and the Ironwood trees, both varieties are established all over the island. First will be the Bougainvillea, classified as evergreen in wet climates and deciduous in dry areas. If given some soil, fertilizer and water on a regular basis, two to four times a week, the plants will take hold and produce a beautiful crop of flowers and thorns tipped with a black waxy substance. The plants will grow a vine up to 12’long which could tear you to shreds if you are caught in them. Some people plant them as a hedge around the property to keep all critters out. They are thick and impenetrable so nothing except bugs gets through them, but they are beautiful and come in a variety of colors.
The other plant or I should say tree to discuss is the Iron Wood Tree. They are fast growing, about a foot a year and are soft and supple with fine leaves or needles. At certain stages of life or seasons the tops get a yellow powder on them, probably pollen which attracts bees like honey. They softly sway in the breeze and you can hear the wind whisper in the branches as they slowly sway like an exotic dancer to slow, soft music.
Development of the landscape is an ongoing project and a trial and error situation due to the requirements of new species and the ability to have scheduled care and water applied. The local weather patterns appear to have been routed around the local area, probably due to the hills and being close to South Point, therefore it is a dry area. Although rain is scarce, when it does rain here it can be intense and last a few hours.
The trip to South Point or I should say Ocean View was a pleasurable drive along the coast. The speed signs here will drive you crazy, 35 MPH, then 25 MPH then 45 MPH then 55 MPH then they sneak a sign in that says 45 MPH Minimum speed in small letters then back to 35. All towns are 25 or 35, all intersections are 35 all winding roads are 35 all public facilities (fire stations) are 35, schools are 25. You will get used to it after a while. The mile markers From Hilo to Kona start at Hilo with Mile 1 and North of Kona the Mile post markers start at Kawaihae Harbor at the town of Hawaihae and continue South East to Kona or MP 100. The Municipal Dump South of Kona on the road to Al’s Ranch is at MP 100, drinking water is between 102 and 103, Ocean View (our destination) is at 178, and the straight road starts at MP 189 and stays straight past Ocean View. There is a small town at MP 175 and has a gas station, small grocery store, Post Office and Diner. On Saturday they have Open Market that is comparable to a huge garage and produce sale. The best part is the vegetables and flowers dirt cheap and abundant. Ocean View is a gated community with a secret combination ( 1225 ) December 25 for Christmas, don’t tell anyone what it is. Passing through the gate will be your introduction to Ocean View, and a down hill ride to the Bowler Ranch on the right side of the road. During daylight hours you can see the round flower beds made from lava rock and approximately 5’ across and 2’ high, with Bougainvillea growing in them. At night or when the moon is not out it gives new meaning to the term “Dark”. It is totally black so Al has installed lights in the flower beds which charge the batteries all day, come on at dark and burn most of the night. When approaching the area and driving up the driveway, it gives you the impression you are at an airport, landing an airplane. Great adventure day or night, well we are here, lets unpack and get going.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Current: Hawaii Dec. The Arrival
I have currently arrived home from a month in Hawaii, tanned, accustomed to warm weather, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, Ahi Tuna, Papia and strawberry bannanas for breakfast and drinking POG and Rum drinks from the islands. It all started with a flight to Seattle and then Hawaii with a short layover in Seattle, total flying time about 10 hours. I departed the airplane on the big Island and was greeted with a blast of warm air, the smell of flowers and the sound of a thousand birds and I said "Paradise". The luggage was a problem but help arrived in a convertible with the top down. With security all around shouting move on we departed the terminal and started our journey to South Point. The entrance to the airport was lined with vegetation and many flowers and the aroma combined with warm air soothed the senses. The need for groceries led us to COSTCO where gasoline was advertised for $2.15 a gallon and a cart full of basic needs, Rum, pineapple, papia, pre cooked bacon, eggbeaters, Hawaiian bread, you know the rest. The highway from COSTCO to Kona is a 4 lane under construction (for about 4 years) but this portion has been completed, and the local police have a speed trap set up. You leave the airport at 45MPH and it immediately goes to 35, there are blue lights all over. Blue Lights are what the police cars are equipped with and some are marked and some unmarked police cars. The state of Hawaii gave the police officers the option of buying a car of their choice and the department would reimburse them for the cost, gas and maintenance. Many Corvettes and other like cars were in service on the road and it is difficult to tell the good cars from the bad. Oh! a note: the Kailua Candy Co. is up on the hill by COSTCO along with Home Depot two good Tai Restaurants and a furniture store. I was introduced to the COSTCO Coffee Slush and is it good, Kona coffee and chocolate syrup mixed in ice and served with whip cream on top. I was like Pavlov's dog, started salivating when we approached the area and had to have a slushey. Another winner in the coffee fields was Lava Java and their Frozen Mocha or hot one in the morning. On previous visits I would spend a couple of hours here drinking the Mocha and watching the people go by, taking pictures as the occasion presented itself. Another note before I end my arrival story, along the highway for miles going North are names and messages formed with white rocks on the black Lava flows. The white rocks come from a town or I should say beach about 30 miles North of Kona and needless to say tons of white rocks have been hauled from the area. Well I am in Kona and shall start down the highway in the next section.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Beginning
This is the start of a new adventure for me which I look forward to. The long cold dark winters restrict free movement so this will be a partial substitute for being out in the summer weather. I will start with a picture taken of me about three days ago, then I will start my journey.
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