HAWAI'I: DAY 2

DAY 2

Thursday November 16, 2017

After spending half a day on a cramped plane and staying awake in order to adapt to the time difference, it felt absolutely incredible to stretch out on and actual bed and sleep for an extended period of time. About twelve hours, actually. 

I spent maybe a half hour on my phone finding a Wal*Mart in the area with an actual parking lot, then called home when I had a plan for the day:

— Wal*Mart

— Pearl Harbor?

— Manoa Falls

— Sunset Beach

— Pre-Registration

— SUPERNATURAL on Xfinity

I finally had that shower I’d been craving, then dressed in a skirt with a t-shirt and flip-flops. I was not making the same mistake twice. Skirts are much more breathable than even sweatpants and the weather definitely called for the former; 90° and beautiful.

The second I walked outside, I knew I’d made the right call. My Jeep was parked in the lot opposite my room, down a ways since I got in so late. I love walking up to this beauty and knowing it’s mine, even if it’s only temporary. 

Since I’d be stocking up on food and supplies for the weekend, I thought about where I would put it all when I bought it. I put my bags in the back seat yesterday since it was the quickest option. Stuffing them there was easy enough, but getting them out was a little tough. So, I figured out how to open the back with the handle to the left of the spare tire, and then lifting the glass.

Unable to take my medication until I had breakfast, I brought them with me. Since Pearl Harbor is between my hotel and Wal*Mart, I didn't want to drive all the way back to the hotel only to turn around again. I was only going to visit Pearl Harbor if there would be enough time to hike Manoa Falls before driving an hour to the other side of the island, chasing the sunset at 5:30PM. My boss forced me to cram a lot into the two days before the convention.

It’s a twenty minute drive and mostly a straight shot to Wal*Mart. Hawaii is tropical; rain, sun, repeat - generates all these rainbows!

The landscape is beautiful! And the traffic wasn’t so bad either. It was a nice drive, figuring out the Jeep and acquainting myself with the road. So many exits I wanted to take with interesting signage, but I needed food. 

At the entrance to Village Park shopping center, there was a Denny’s! What I wouldn’t give for a short stack of pancakes! Unfortunately, pancakes can be a trigger food. It’s hit or miss and this is not the time for taking chances. Still, it’s one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make, seeing as all I’d had were fries and a frosty over twelve hours ago!

Protein has always been an issue for me. The UC diet leaves a lot to be desired, there isn’t much I can actually eat that agrees with me. I’ve basically been living on Enlive protein drinks for months! So, my first stop was the diet/weight loss aisle, hoping they had chocolate. THEY DID! 

Going through the aisles brought me to the pain relief section, specifically equipment like knee, leg an arm braces. I noticed they had a set of crutches for $40.00. The only reason I didn’t pick them up was because I knew where they were and that they would still be there if I needed them. One could argue by the time I needed them I wouldn’t be able to get to them, but then I’d be really screwed. I was trying to think positive. Still…

Next was paper products: plates for peanut butter sandwiches, cups for antibiotic/pudding mix, cutlery for peanut butter spreading and pudding mixing, napkins and tissues just in case. Toilet paper was probably one of the most important things on my list. It might sound strange, since all hotels offer an endless supply, but it’s always papery and thin. My hemorrhoids need all the comfort I can provide. I limited myself to a 6-pack, but I was this close to buying the 12. 

I almost passed the chemical aisle, but I remembered the wet wipes in my car at home and thought about substituting them here for clorox wipes for a little more sanitation. There was no way I was taking my meds in the back of my Jeep after shopping without washing my hands. 

I forgot to pack bug spray and sunscreen in my luggage, so I bought Off! Deep Woods for my hike later and Coppertone SPF 100 because I learned my lesson in California last year.

This was one of the Wal*Mart Super Centers that have a big grocery section. Bananas were among the fresh produce as I came around to the food. Bread was my main focus. All the brands were locally made, so I opted for the familiarity of Wonder Bread. Making my way down the aisles, I found the peanut butter, then hit the snack aisle for Snack Pack chocolate puddings and Nutrigrain bars. I was hoping for cherry, but blueberry is a longtime favorite. 

On my way to the water, I considered crackers. Goldfish or Cheez-Its were out; whatever cheese or artificial flavoring they're made with unfortunately doesn't agree with me. Ritz was almost an option, but then I saw Keebler; decision made. I spent longer than necessary debating the waters. Back home, Massachusetts pays for my food every month, Hawaii’s forcing me to actually think about pricing.

I went with a 24-pack of Aquafina, hoping I could drink it all, with my options so limited anyway. Which made me think of adding some flavor to my beverages. So, I picked up some Welch’s grape juice. They didn’t have any ginger ale.

When I was given the keys at Dollar Rent A Car, it felt weird carrying a keyring. At home, I have one of those clip thingies you put on a keyring and clip to your belt loop. I searched the store until I could find one. Pretty sure I went down every single aisle. I didn’t wanna ask anyone since I could barely describe it to myself, but I could see it in my head. I finally found it in the camping section.

Which just happened to be right next to the electronics section. Car charger!

Next was the souvenir section. Everything was locally made in Hawaii: cups, shot glasses, keychains, mugs, lotions, candles, towels,  leis, jewelry. I looked through it all and decided on a colorful mug featuring all the Hawaiian Islands and this awesome candle with the perfect reflection of Hawaii and smelled incredible; coconut volcano.

The clothes section created a perfect circle around the store. I found this beautiful blue kimono with darker blue leaves throughout. I tried it on and searched for a mirror. A woman nearby said it looked really good on me. I thought so too, but I wasn’t 100% sure until she said something. I felt much better about buying it after that.

I almost brought a bag with me for the convention, but figured I’d be buying one in Hawaii anyway, so why double pack? I debated on a few, but settled on a small rectangular bag with three separate zipper pouches - one big one and two down the front each with a hibiscus zipper - on a beautiful Hawaiian print with a long shoulder strap. 

I knew I wanted flower earrings. I bought a necklace with a prominent blue and white flower at Santa Monica last year, and I was looking for something to match. I found the same blue and white pattern on the flowers of a white stone bracelet and a set of earrings to go with it. Then I looked for my mom. I found a matching yellow and purple earring and bracelet combo, but didn’t want to spend too much, so I was just gonna go with the earrings. Then I thought, fuck it, and got ‘em both. I did the same with the t-shirts. I got one for myself and one for Mom, too.

I went over everything I picked up and thought about what else I might need for the next few days and all I could come up with was shoes. I didn’t want to wear flip-flops to the convention, protecting my ankle as much as possible. Shoes weren’t exactly an option and I forgot to pack slip-ons. So I went to the back of the store and found some of a thinner material in different colors…then saw a pair of discounted Dr. Scholl’s slips ons. There was no question.

I spent $200.00 in an hour and a half, only to have the cashier ask if I wanted a bag. WHAT? Of course I said yes, where else am I supposed to put all this stuff? She said it would cost $3.00 per bag. Whatever. Fine. Again, where else was I gonna put it!?

Out in the parking lot, I put everything in the back of the Jeep and grabbed my meds from the front. I ate a Nutrigrain bar while mixing half a pudding cup with the powder from the antibiotic tablet. Then I measured the prednisone and took it directly from the spoon, followed quickly by a shot of grape juice. The Enlive had to chill in the fridge for a few hours before I’d even touch it, maybe put one in the freezer back at the hotel.

Which is exactly where I was going. I’d already been up on my foot a lot and it wasn’t even 10:30AM. If I went to Pearl Harbor and aggravated my ankle on the hike because of it… Hiking to a waterfall was more important to me than visiting Pearl Harbor. 

Next time!

Back at Pacific Marina Inn, I unpacked and reorganized everything to my liking in the four Wal*Mart  bags I bought. They had a lot more space than the plastic bags I’d expected! After I filled two of them, I went back out to the Jeep and filled another with water bottles, leaving most of the 24-pack in the back. I put two waters in the freezer with one of my Enlives and filled the rest of the fridge with both, taking one water with me on my hike. 

Before UC tried to destroy my life, I was prepared to do whatever it took to climb the Stairway to Heaven. The Stairs have fallen victim to severe weather damage and remain closed to the public. Not that that stops anyone, but there’s a guard stationed at the trailhead and a $1,000.00 fine for anyone caught attempting this dangerous hike. I was gonna risk it, there are a lot websites with tips on how to evade the guard and hike the summit.

Unfortunately, that kinda risk is exactly what sets off my UC. Plus, no public restrooms. Touristy areas are exactly the kinda thing I’m trying to avoid, but there’s a better chance for restroom access than off the beaten track. I’d rather not dig a cat hole in the jungles of Hawaii, thank you. I searched through Google and found an easy enough hike to a waterfall offering trailhead parking with a restaurant and snack shack/convenient store. And restrooms!

I packed my small hiking bag and hiking shoes I’d bought for the Hollywood Hills. At this point, I wished I’d packed my boots instead for more ankle support, but I’d make do. I forgot my hiking stick too and didn’t think to look for one at Wal*Mart. I was going to make a sandwich for the road, but I had nothing but napkins to keep it in. I didn’t get ziplock bags either; I may have to write a new shopping list. 

So I brought peanut butter and bread for lunch after, Nurigrain and water for the hike. AND I wore my new slips ons for the drive in, bringing my socks and hiking shoes in a plastic bag. With all the off/on rain, I thought the trail might be a little muddy, and I didn’t want to dirty up my rental. Sometimes I have good ideas!

It was pretty incredible driving through civilization and then leaving it behind. The green mountains of Hawaii towering high above are absolutely breathtaking in person, making it hard to focus on the road. When the drive became steep, there were a few twists and turns to the trailhead, surrounded by beautiful green foliage. I like to take stock of my surroundings before making any commitments, so instead of following the signs for $5 parking, I took a left up to a vacant lot and pulled up by the tree line. I’d stumbled on restaurant parking, but staying put felt more comfortable than trying to find my way back to the entrance and paying $5. I could be at the restaurant for all they know...

I had a mini selfie stick photo-shoot with my Jeep before taking to the trail.

I walked past the parking lot and put the guilt behind me, or walked it off, I’m not sure. The trail goes off from a paved road shared by the arboretum. 

I thought about visiting on my way back if I had it in me. There was a fence on either side of the trail and a map by the entrance. 

It’s no wonder they used these islands for Jurassic Park - part of this trail was actually used in filming - it was like entering another world! The leaves were bigger than my head, greenery all around and the tallest trees I’d ever seen! Pictures just don’t do it justice. No matter how hard I tried to capture the beauty all around me, nothing beats the experience. 

The trail came to a small clearing with a bench and information. I took a few selfies with this beautiful backdrop. It just doesn’t seem real…

Leading further into the jungle, the trail ran through a small bamboo forest with a natural archway. The hardest part was the steps, but they make for a really good photo.

My camera caught the waterfall from a mile away…

It got a little muddy and treacherous closer to the waterfall. I knew getting back would be harder.

There was a time I would've been all over this trail! Now, it’s terrifyingly impossible. I’d break my ankle, if I were lucky.

I bought my selfie stick two years ago in Pisa for better shots of the infamous Leaning Tower pic. But 8 € only gets you so far. I’d been having difficulties with it at recent events, finding the trick was to push the cord into the stick and hope it connects enough to take the pic. 

A line had formed while I was fighting with it, a woman and her dog jumped the barrier for a swim in the stagnant pond at the base, others just got up on the rocks in front of the falls for a better photo. Two Australian women noticed my KAZ 2Y5 phone case, spotting a fellow con-goer. They offered to take my picture for me, but I had just gotten it to work. I told them so, but I kinda wish I’d taken them up on it…

My battery died halfway back down the trail, but my camera was in perfect working order. 

CHICKENS! I heard plenty of bird calls in the jungle, but the chickens by the road were unexpected.

I checked out the restaurant menu by the door, then went to the snack shack. I had brought my own food, but I wanted to see if they had anything better. I didn’t even need the bathroom.

I took the long way around to see if there was an exit on the other side of the lot and scared a bunch of chickens away. They came back and I was able to get a few pictures. I didn’t know chickens liked trees. Of all the wildlife I thought I’d see in Hawaii…

My Jeep looks stunning in its natural habitat! I really want one of my own…

I changed out of my dirty hiking shoes and put them and my equally dirty socks into the plastic bag I brought them in before changing back into my slip ons for driving. My phone needed charging and lunch could be had back at the hotel where I could better rest and elevate my ankle. 

I immediately uploaded all the pics I’d taken from the trail. I made my sandwich, had some snacks and finally took a look at the convention schedule with Identity Thief on in the background. Sunday is gonna be SO BUSY!

Before heading out to catch the sunset on the other side of the island, I called home to say goodnight since I’d be busy the rest of the day and it was 8:00PM back east. My mom told me Erin had called earlier, asking if I made it to Hawaii. I was shocked! I sent that picture to Shannon, but I guess she didn’t show her. She has my cell number, why would she call the house?

I checked Xfinity on my phone and Supernatural was recording! I knew what I’d be doing tonight  after Pre-Registration! 

I love highway driving on a good day, but stopped in bumper to bumper 4:00PM traffic is horrible anywhere, never mind trying to figure out exits in an unfamiliar state. Once I hit I-H2, it was nothing but open road…and I was bored out of my freakin' mind. I can charge my phone with the car charger, but that doesn’t connect to the radio in any way. For that, I need an AUX cord, which I don’t have and didn’t think to get at Wal*Mart. So, I did some time difference math and called Erin around 9:00PM eastern time. 

Talking to her kept me focused, she told me about the store, how her son used to live in Hawaii - again - and what was going on in Hanson. I told her all about my airplane experience, shopping hiking, pre-reg later and my plans to switch hotels and what was happening this weekend. She got to hear some road rage/confusion and I told her when I finally started to see the ocean and turn-offs for beach access. I lost her a few times going between mountains, and over plains…Hawaii is really diverse! She kept asking about the red dirt she’d seen in 50 First Dates. I haven't seen that movie in forever, so I couldn’t help her, all I’d seen was highway and…oh, hiking. The dirt was red-ish, I guess.

I finally caught sight of the ocean from the road!

I managed to grab this one on the fly!

Cell service isn’t that great on the western side of the island, so we hung up and I took some sunset pics from the beach. 

I thought maybe I could get better pics the farther I went and stopped at a few more side-street beach parking right on the water. 

I really wish I had more time here...

I also stopped at a gas station hoping to find an AUX cord. They didn’t have one. 

After exploring the beach a little, trying to find the perfect sunset shot, I Googled the nearest CVS - or the Hawaiian equivalent - and followed my phone. I stopped again a few times along the way for more shots, until I finally found a Longs Drugs. 

Looking through the convention schedule, earlier I realized I didn’t have any paper to write down panel, photo and autograph times so I could plan my days. I found a small notebook and grabbed some highlighters for when I actually get a physical copy of the schedule to make things a little easier. I did remember I wanted plastic bags, but they only came in a 24-pack and I didn’t think I’d have the space in my bag to take them home. I wasn’t even sure I’d need them again, so I decided not to get them. I spent a lot of time in the souvenir aisle before searching everywhere in the store for an AUX cord. It’s CVS, I know they sell them here!

Finally, I went passed the battery end-cap and found the electronics. All you can see beyond is cards, so I didn’t think I needed to look over there. I bought the cheapest one I could find. At check-out, they asked for my CVS card. I didn’t think they were really a CVS. I almost reached for my keys, where I keep my card back home, but quickly realized it wasn’t there. They asked for a phone number and it didn’t work, so the card probably wouldn’t have worked either.

Back in ehe parking lot, I started the Jeep and was ready to set up my music when I realized the AUX cord was wrapped in plastic and I had no way of opening it. Working at a dollar store myself, I know we keep scissors in the office and I have a box cutter o me at all times. So, I went back in, told them I had just bought the item and  asked if they could open it for me. They were happy to. 

I FINALLY HAD MUSIC!!!

Getting out onto the street proved a little difficult. I couldn't see the road that well and I thought maybe the headlights weren’t on. That’s the one thing I couldn’t check earlier because it was daytime and Hawaii is beautiful! So, I pulled into the lot across the street and played with my lights until I was sure they were on correctly. I couldn’t be sure, but at least I could see the road. 

I listened to Thirty Seconds to Mars all the way to Hilton Hawaiian Village back in Honolulu. It’s really hard for me to drive at night in unfamiliar territory when I can’t see a damn thing. I drove past the hotel, couldn’t see a parking garage or any signs for parking, so I just kept driving down and around until I was behind the hotel, by the water. There were open parking spaces all around me, so I pulled in and figured I’d ask about hotel parking when I got to hotel registration.

As I was about to get out of the Jeep, my Supernatural alarm went off, giving me a 5-minute warning before the show started. It felt like fate; pulling in to the hotel for the Supernatural convention where I was about to pre-register and my Supernatural alarm goes off…

The walk to the hotel was longer than I thought. It was about a 10-minute walk to hotel registration, but I was able to go over the convention webpage to figure out where pre-reg was. I asked the concierge where convention registration was taking place and where I should park for check-on tomorrow. He said I could pull up to the valet and they would give me a tag and take my bags while I waited to check in.

It then took me about 15 minutes to find the Palace Lounge. I found a hotel map on Google, but I still ended up going in circles. By the time I found the line, it was already winding down the very long, expansive hallway. I always look forward to meeting other fans and bonding with them through this amazing show! This was probably the fastest that had ever happened. In line, the man in front of me, Mark, immediately started chatting me up. Super friendly guy, been to a lot of conventions, Dragon Con is his all-time favorite and begged me and the woman in front of him to go sometime and look for him. His friend is the reason he even came, she paid for his admission ticket and the photo-op with Jared he was really excited about. I wanted to be there when that happened!

He was surprised when I told him I’d been to five Supernatural cons. Dragon Con came up when I said I’d been to Wizard World. The woman in front of us had never been to a convention before. This was her first and she opted for front row! One ticket is $1,500.00! I’m a huge believer in going big, but I’m in it for the Luau and J2 Gold Panel and Gold is fine for that. I’d rather spend my money on photo-ops than pay an extra $500 for front row. That’s terrifying. As are Meet & Greets, which I never expect to win…

At 9:00PM the line began to move, albeit very slowly. I was registered maybe a half hour later, exchanged my PDF photo-op tickets for an actual ones before scouting the merch tables and buying a shot glass and two lanyards, one for my Gold pass and a spare. I saw my new friends in various lines and said my goodbyes for the night.

The drive back to Pacific Marina Inn was a direct route and I think I’m actually getting used to this stretch of road and my way to my little hotel. Passing that MacDonald’s, a few pizza places and knowing there’s a Wendy’s right across the street made a peanut butter sandwich seem less than satisfying, but I was starving!

I packed up what I won’t need in the morning and tried to watch Supernatural on my laptop free with Xfinity DVR. It wouldn’t load…or upload…or whatever it does. So, I bit the bullet and bought the episode on iTunes. Which would take hours to upload. It was almost 11:00PM and I didn’t have time to wait. The panels I want to see don’t start until Saturday, giving me plenty of time to watch it. I just hope I can avoid spoilers until then…