Beautiful World // Kiholo Bay

I don’t know what it is about this time of year – the days are slowly but surely getting longer, I’ve worn every sweater in my closet about 700 times since September, and you think it’s sure to be spring soon but it just. keeps. snowing.  This is the time of year that gets me in trouble, because I can’t help dreaming of warmer climates and beach days.

Of course, in typical why-do-I-torture-myself fashion, I was looking through photos from our trip to Hawaii (almost two years ago – HOW?!).  I remember how Cory read our guidebook literally cover to cover so we were sure not to miss anything awesome.  And I remember how I hoped we’d see at least one sea turtle while we were there.

Well, we saw one here in Kiholo Bay, on our second day of the trip, and then quickly the count rose to 17.  SEVENTEEN, people.  If you want to see a sea turtle, might I suggest that this is the place.  Not to mention how incredible the blue water looks against the black lava shores, and how a cold water spring meets the ocean and you can see layers of fresh and salt water (cold & fresh on top, warm & salty underneath) – that was super amazing.  I also made myself look quite ridiculous climbing over those lava rocks in my flippers, trying to get into the water.  In fact, I think had a whole group of locals in hysterics over the whole ordeal.

On our hike into the bay from our cars, there was also this awesome collapsed lava tube turned swimming hole that was a big hit.  Watch the slippery steps up the mossy ladder!

Some of my absolute favorite travel memories are on that trip.

Alright, now I’m ready to go back and sit in the sun for a while.  Although I think I’ll have to settle for a few days in Texas at the end of the month – no beach but plenty of sun, I’m sure!

What are some of your favorite travel memories?  I’d love to hear about the places you go back to in your head when it’s cold and grey outside.