This airstream trailer was the only camper we saw in public.
The west coast beach at Disney Aulani was very nice.
My visit to Barber's Point was an excellent brush with history.
Friday morning we woke up in Waikiki to clouds - mist - and a prediction or rain. On the Hawaiian Island - the wet windward side is the Northeast. The drier Leeward Island is the Southwest. So we decided to drive the 25 miles west on H-1 to Barbers Point and the Aulani Resort. My goal to visit Barbers Point Air Museum - Lulu had her eyes on the Disney Resort. As we motored west - the skies magically cleared.
Our first stop was the town of Kapolei - a Levittown-like designed community from 1955. We found an outdoor mall there and had a snack. Then just 2 miles away was the Barbers Point Air Museum. Barbers Point was one of the airfields that Japan attacked on December 7 - 1941. When got there - and could not find a sign or entrance. Finally - a van came up the road - an electric gate opened - we were waved in. When we got out of the car - a mechanic with the gift of gab said the owner was not there - but we could roam as we wished.
It was walking through history. All sorts of old aircraft and equipment were sitting out in the weather and sun - waiting for me to take pictures - and touch and feel. Lulu was very accommodating. I spent an hour imagining what it was like on that fateful Sunday morning. There were no signs around to ruin the moment. After a half hour - Lulu went back to the comfort of the air-conditioned Mazda.
The next stop was Aulani Resort - maybe 10 miles out west. This coast for years has been an unofficial off-limits place for tourists. The locals wanted it that way. Now - thanks to Disney - it is a special kind of tropical resort. It is really nice - but it could be any tropical place in the world. The cheapest room is $484 a night plus tax. The garage said parking was $10 an hour - yikes - I dropped Lulu off and went hunting. I found a free parking spot in an upscale shopping center about 1/2 mile away.
Lulu and I enjoyed the beach and facilities. No one bothered us 2 grayheads. The sun was nearly directly overhead - I got too much sun - but Lulu was in heaven.
We have found very few trailers and motorhomes over here. Lulu said it is probably because people never get more than an hour's drive from home. They have limited "interstate highways" but they do get crowded at rush hour. With the good weather - I guess tent camping is more popular.
The Douglas A-4 is a favorite plane of mine. It only goes 670 MPH - but it is light and highly maneuverable. With its short delta wings - it could be used on tight smaller carriers. In the movie Top Gun - the instructors like to fly A-4's - because they were nimble. For a while - the Blue Angels used them.
Aulani Resort - Hawaii Disney style - at $484 a night. We did not stay there.
Friday morning looked like rain so we headed to the desert west coast.
One of these umbrellas would be a perfect carport for our camper.
I can sniff out a custard bun anywhere.
I was able to roam Barbers Point Air Museum - like a free bird - no one there.
This old Harvard trainer looks like it still flies.
They restore a lot of old equipment - there is a lot of work left here.
I guess they ship old equipment back in these containers.
An old tractor.
An old jeep.
These fire extinguishers look like they survived the Japanese attack.
Inside an old helicopter.
A Huey Helicopter from Vietnam.
An old Piper or Cessna.
The inside of a transport helicopter.
A cute little Japanese truck.
Old transport planes.
Transport in moth balls.
A-4 a small jet for smaller aircraft carriers.
Tail hook used to catch the cable when landing on a carrier.
Phantom F4 - The Great Santini
Barbers Point was a sub-chaser base for years. This is an Orion P-3 sub chaser.
I am guessing it is a DC-6. There were no signs to tell me.
These were active military transports. Crazy I was able to walk up to these planes.
I wonder what the markings mean.
The long tail piece held electornics to find subs.
The Blue Sharks were sub chasers.
Can anyone identify this nose piece?
A small tractor for hauling planes.
Half ton - 4 WD
An old fashioned 4 wheeler
Jet fuel tanks.
Empty bomb casings.
Disney Hawaii
Lobby Disney Hawaii
Disney beach on th efar west coast of Oahu - 25 miles from downtown Honolulu
Swim with fish at Disney - $20 a day
The old narrow gauge railroad makes a nice scene. They are building a new railroad from Honolulu to the West Coast.
We got home in time for the 7:45 PM Friday fireworks on Waikiki Beach. the moon was directly overhead and it was high tide. In some places the beach was only 30 feet wide then.
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