Port number 2 lands us in Hilo, Hawaii - the big island. We had a car rented and drove to Volcanoes National Park. We very much enjoyed beating the prices of the ship excursions each day. We rented a car and purchased the National Park annual pass for a grand total of $110.00. We would have paid $65.00 per person to do this excursion. And although we may have gotten to see some things that we didn't, we were on our own schedule and pace and that felt great! We drove up to the crater at Kilauea, visited the visitor's center, had a "steam bath" at the steam vents and then drove the chain of craters road, where we picnicked. We then drove back up to the Thurston Lava Tube. What an amazing day! In the evening, the ship sailed around the tip of the island giving everyone a very close up view of the current lava flow and the daily growth of the island. It looked like several tiny fires all up the side of the mountains. Super day!
In late August 1996, I attended a bridal shower tea for my sister in law to be, Melanie Hull. Her Aunt Shirley had created a beautiful party out on the back lawn, flowers and china and everyone in girly dresses. But most lovely of all was Melanie. I fell in love with her dress. It was my dream dress. Floral print. Georgette. Flowy. Bell/Cape Sleeve. Tea Length. Perfect Tea dress. I “pinned” it in my mind. That’s what we had to do back then. I knew that if I ever married – and hopefully that dashing Frank – that was the dress I wanted for my bridesmaids. Furthermore… I had always hoped that if I could, I would provide the dresses for my bridesmaids. I had been in a couple of weddings and the expense was always difficult. It seemed like kind of a boobie prize to me. Hey, my dearest friends in the world, please be in my wedding so I can shove you over the precipice and into debt. Oh and make sure you check out my bridal registry! In January 1997, I was pretty h...
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