HAWAII FAMILY TRIP #2!

 

In late August we took a family vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii. Although this trip did not get any new counties for us, it did get new counties for the kids. We flew into Kona (Hawaii County) on Thursday, rented an Infiniti QX60, and checked into our resort – the Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kohala Suites Waikoloa. We spent the rest of the day (and Friday as well) mostly hanging out by the resort, and adjusting to the time change. Although we did get up early on Friday to watch the sunrise, as well as head to the nearby Tommy Bahama for dinner that night.                                                       

    

                        

On Saturday we did some sightseeing on the other side of the island. We drove across Saddle Road to Hilo. In that area we visited Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, and also did a little spelunking at Kaumana Caves. On the way back to the resort, we saw numerous goats roaming the fields.

                          

                         

On Sunday we drove to the northernmost side of the island and walked to the Mo’okini Heiau – a somewhat creepy location that was the sight of tens of thousands of human sacrifices. It’s a fascinating walk right on the ocean. Yet it’s virtually devoid of any people. After the walk, we drove further on the island’s north side until we reached the Pololu Valley Lookout. We then stopped for a bite to eat at Bamboo, as well as had some ice cream (Try the Tropical Dreams!) at the Kohala Coffee Mill – both in the city of Hawi. Later that evening we went to Tommy Bahama again for happy hour, followed by watching the sunset from another location in our resort.

                        

                                             

                            

                        

On Monday we decided to do a last-minute island-hop to Honolulu, on the island of Oahu (Honolulu County.) We rented a Jeep Wrangler and explored part of the eastern side of the island, and also took a catamaran ride at Kualoa Ranch. Later that evening we flew back to Kona.                                    

On Tuesday we drove into Kona and had lunch at the Ultimate Burger. From there we drove to the southernmost tip of the Island – which happens to be the southernmost tip of the United States. After we left, we drove to the Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, where we saw a giant sea turtle. We then finished our evening at Volcanoes National Park. We timed our arrival just as the sun was close to setting. So after a walk through the Thurston Lava Tube, and some additional exploring, we drove to the Kiluaha Lookout in order to see some lava. It was in the distance. But we could definitely see the fire. We also picked up an ironic hitchhiker in the park, named Seth. He was ironic, as he had his own car.

                      

                       

                       

Wednesday was our last full day on the island. We spent it driving through Kona, as well as some swimming back at our resort. For dinner we had one final meal at Tommy Bahama again. I recommend the frozen mai tais!

Thursday morning we flew back home, arriving back to our house at roughly 4:20 AM. And although we didn’t pick up any new counties, it was a fantastic trip. And we can’t wait to go back. So what’s next? We have a trip to the Dakotas planned for mid-September, and a possible trip to Wichita in October. So stay tuned!

NEW COUNTIES - 0

                 TOTAL COUNTIES FOR 2022 - 106

                 ALL TIME COUNTY TOTAL - 2311

ORLANDO & DAYTONA BEACH ROAD TRIP!

At the end of June, we took a road trip to Orlando. Unlike previous Orlando visits, this time we did not have plans to visit any of the theme parks. Instead it was just a relaxing few days in Orlando and Daytona Beach. So naturally, we picked up a few counties as well.

We left early Saturday morning. Our destination was Chattanooga. Since we had already hit every county on the way (as well as all the counties nearby) we took a direct route all the way - save for a brief side trip into Alabama, since we hadn't visited in a long time. Once we got to our hotel, the Embassy Suites by Hilton, we planned to take a little side trip from our hotel to pick up a few new counties. But we were tired from the drive, and decided to do so the next morning. So on Sunday morning we got up early, before the kids were up, and headed east on I-75. We crossed into Bradley County, then continued east into Polk County. We then followed HWY 411 north into McMinn County, before heading west into Meigs and Rhea Counties. After our two-hour side trip was finished, we headed back to our hotel for the continental breakfast.

After picking up the kids, we piled into the car. Our destination was the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando. Having traveled this route before, we were able to take a mostly direct path. However we did veer off a couple of times. As we drove down I-75, we got off near the city of Dalton, Georgia. We headed west on HWY 76 into Murray County. We continued southwest, picking up Gilmer and Pickens Counties, before heading back to I-75. We continued due south from Macon, then got off the interstate once again, this time near the city of Perry. We went southwest again, picking up Pulaski, Wilcox, Dodge and Ben Hill Counties – our last new counties of the day. We then hopped back on I-75, and took a direct route to our hotel.

We spent Sunday night and Monday night at our hotel, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, simply enjoying everything they had to offer: kayaking, giant swimming pool, and even the Disney fireworks show, which we could see from our balcony.

                                 

On Tuesday we took a short drive to Daytona Beach, our next destination We spent the next two nights at the Hyatt Place, Daytona Beach Oceanfront. Our internet sucked. But we had no complaints regarding our balcony view of the Atlantic. In the evening we went "crabbin" on the beach.

On Thursday morning we started our long trip back. Our first stop was the Hyatt Place in Sumter, South Carolina. We took a somewhat direct path there. We took I-95 north into Georgia and drove through Glynn, McIntosh and Liberty Counties. Once we entered South Carolina, we got off the interstate and drove up HWY 321, entering Allendale County. At the small town of Ulmer, we drove a few miles up on HWY 300 to pick up Barnwell County. We then doubled back to Ulmer, continued on HWY 321, and entered Bamberg County. We eventually got back on I-95, crossed Lake Marion, and entered Clarendon County. We then got off the highway again, as we entered Sumter County. But before we headed to our hotel, we went east on HWY 378, and picked up Florence and Williamsburg Counties. We then turned around, drove back west on HWY 378, and took it all the way to our hotel in Sumter.

On Friday morning, we decided to go out and pick up two bonus counties before the kids awoke. We headed west out of Sumter until we entered Richland County. From there we turned north on HWY 601, drove about 10 miles to Kershaw County, then turned around and headed back to the hotel.

A long day of travel awaited us when we finally left the hotel for good. We started by heading NE out of Sumter, hitting Lee, Darlington and Chesterfield Counties before crossing into North Carolina. We eventually hooked up with I-74, going north through a few counties we had previously visited. On the north side of the city of High Point, we got off the highway to stop for lunch at McDonald’s. We also crossed into Davidson County, which was a block further down the road. From there we drove through Winston Salem, heading NW on HWY 52, and picking up Forsyth, Stokes and Surrey Counties.

We briefly went south in I-77, before heading west on HWY 421/321 for quite awhile. Along the way, we drove though Yadkin, Wilkes, Watauga and Avery Counties. We spent about 2 miles in Avery County before crossing into the great state of Tennessee. We continued west through Carter County, then drove south into Unicoi County, before hopping onto I-26 to head north into Washington County. We continued north until we reached Kingsport, where we got off to make a quick stop at Dairy Queen – as well as to pick up Hawkins County.

After Dairy Queen, we drove a few miles further to the north, crossing into Virginia, and Scott County. We then got onto HWY 23, and drove through Lee and Wise Counties, as well as the Independent City of Norton. After Norton we continued north until we crossed into Kentucky, and Letcher County. We were a little worried that the final stretch of our drive was going to be through curvy, mountainous roads. But are fears were put aside, as the drive turned out to be pretty standard. As the sun began to set, we traveled in a mostly NW direction, picking up Knott, Perry, Breathitt, Wolfe, Powell and Montgomery Counties. We stopped in Stanton to pick up dinner. We were going to do Hardee’s. But it was closed. So we did Dairy Queen once again. In Montgomery County we turned right on WHY 460, into the city of Means, just past the Menifee County border. From there we drove a few miles north to the city of Hope, took another right, and crossed the Bath County line. From there it was a straight shot west to our hotel, picking up Clark County along the way. Our stop for the night was the Homewood Suites by Hilton, Lexington.

On Saturday morning we began the drive home. While it was mostly a straight shot, we did grab a couple of new counties shortly after leaving the hotel. We drove clockwise around Lexington, veering off a few miles not Nicholasville Road to cross into Jessamine County. We then got onto I-75 north, taking a side just north of Lexington on HWY 62, in order to pick up both Bourbon and Harrison Counties. We then got back on the interstate, drove straight home, but crossed through Grant County, KY on the way, our last new county on the trip.

When it was all said and done, we had added 57 new counties. So what's next? We have a trip to Hawaii planned for August. But that won't net us any new counties. However we then have a trip through the Dakotas in September, followed by a possible trip to Kansas in October. So stay tuned!

                                  

NEW COUNTIES - 57

                 TOTAL COUNTIES FOR 2022 - 106

                 ALL TIME COUNTY TOTAL - 2312