Adventures!

 Last night i got a warning about storms and flash floods for today. I had an adventure planned and thought "maybe i should just stay back". I don't know the terrain... all the paralyzing thoughts ran through my mind....

When i woke up this morning the skies were the perfect shade of blue, checked the weather and decided to venture out. 

My biggest plan for the day was to visit the Botanical gardens. Which is one of my favorite things to do when i visit a state I've never been to and they have one.  So off i went on a beautiful drive across the northern part of the state. 
When i think of Hawai'i, like most people (i think?) i think of the ocean. But the views were breathtaking with no water in sight! 

As i drove, i hit the town of Hilo, ask my why i wanted to go there, i couldn't tell ya, but i was there!! Stopped at the grocery store called Sak and Save and picked up Hawaiian coffee that was $25 everywhere else... $10!! Why am i so weird that i love grocery stores? 

Even though my hair is in a pony and i have little makeup on, i threw on one of my favorite dresses and the beautiful cover up my friend (sister) Amanda got me! Felt i wanted to look my best for the garden lol - so we (me and the garden) could match. 

As i drove to the garden i had so much to think about. 

1. I don't deserve this. It's absolutely beautiful and it feels like an incredible gift. Every place i go i feel like this. I know where I've come from - how far I've come. It seems so incredible and a lot of hard work, even more grace, and i feelso undeserving.
2. How brave i feel coming even if i am a little worried about the impending storm. If people knew how afraid i am all the time, i think they'd be surprised. I just have to decide - do you want to experience this or be scared and live with regrets. Which every time i think of "no regrets" i think of that tattoo that someone got that says "no regerts" 😂

The Botantical garden was just so much more than i imagined! The orchids grew out of the trees and alllllll the colors of the orchids! Absolutely breathtaking! 

I headed to see the turtles at Punaluʻu Beach! I was a little nervous when it started raining! But i kept going! (No regerts😂) The black sand was warm on my feet and the contrast on my winter hidden feet, which a significantly browner than they were when i got to Hawaii, were in pure opposition but also beautiful together.

Now to enjoy my lunch!