Pearl Harbor is where we went today. Daddy was in the Navy, but did not join until 2 years after Pearl Harbor. We walked around the grounds, looked at monuments, bought postcards, took photos and then took the boat over to the Arizona Memorial. I had been there before, and it was nice to visit it again. When we got back to land, we watched the 22 minute video about how it happened that PH was actually caught off guard and bombed. When Jim and I saw the video in 2004, we were in an auditorium. There was quite a bit of construction going on and there was a temporary location. I think the construction will be finished for summer visitors. When we left PH, we went back to the hotel and Abby and I decided to go to Diamondhead. Daddy wanted to stay in the room, so we took off. I had never been to Diamondhead, so I was excited to see it up close. The drive up there was interesting. I took a wrong turn, but ended up going through where the locals lived and it was neat to see that instead of just the resort areas. When we got to the park, we realized that we were actually INSIDE the crater! There was a sign telling you about the climb to the top. .8 of a mile up a paved sidewalk, rock path, and several flights of stairs. Most importantly...it said you would need water. We had just gotten a piece of gum and had no water, but we decided that we would at least start the walk up and turn around when we were tired. We kept passing people on their way down and we came to a dad and little boy. I made small talk with them and the man said the boy (about 5) had gone all the way to the top. We told him we did not have water and he said we would not make it without it! We continued on. Abby really wanted to go all the way up and I told her that I would go as far as I could. We continued...When we came to the stairs...OMG...they were very steep and it was dark inside. Oh, there was also a tunnel that was dark...the sign at the beginning had said to have flashlights...we had the light on our cell phone! We continued on. Up the stairs, through the tunnel, up a circular staircase and finally we were at the top of Diamondhead!!! It was a spectacular sight! We took in the views and then went back to the hotel. For supper, I had found a coupon for a seafood restaurant. We drove over there and it was in a BLUE BUS...a bus! It was really funny. You know, you THINK you know where you are going and when you get there it is totally different. We checked the menu and it was not what we were looking for...we wanted fried shrimp and fried oysters. So, we drove around a bit and parked close to another seafood restaurant...Seaside Bar & Grill. We had a good supper and walked around the shopping area before going back to the car. We were in a parking garage. When we got to the exit to pay, we were the 3rd car in line. There seemed to be a little chaos for the car paying and so we waited and waited. After a while, we were motioned to back up...WTH? Back up in a parking garage...uphill. We backed up and finally got to the toll booth and the lady said the people had thought the parking was free...and she wasn't about to let them out without paying! We got back to the hotel and planned the next day of adventure.
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