This fall, I went to Hawaii for a few weeks. The primary purpose was my friends Erica & David getting married, but coincidentally I had a couple friends who still live in Hawaii having their birthdays around the same time. It was a complete blast for the entire time I was out there. Catching up with friends that I haven't seen in years, partying, hiking, eating delicious food, and just relaxing. Since I've mostly done all of the Oahu activities when I lived there, this was the first time in a while that I felt truly in vacation mode. For instance I took off work, and didn't feel the pressure to explore and go sightseeing that I normally might when visiting a new place. Instead, I was sipping on cocktails and lounging on the beach without a single care in the world. What a great time! I also made a quick pit stop in Los Angeles afterwards to see some more friends, but I was working the week that I was out there and so it doesn't warrant an entire separate post this time around.
I was fortunate that I had enough space in my luggage to bring my actual camera out. I've taken a ton of (in my humble opinion) great photos this time in Honolulu!I never knew that Hawaii had mountain goats, but here's photo evidence!One of my favorites from the entire trip, I captured this stunning rainfall on the ridges while hiking Crouching Lion with a few friends.Another from the same hike as above, I really liked the way the sunlight highlighted each ridge line on these mountains.An epic photo of my friend Wesley while out hiking one of the pillboxesSunset on top of Koko Head crater.Another gorgeous sunset photo, with little bands of rain falling down.Catching up with old friends Noil and Italo, and coworking at a coffee shop.Enjoying nature while out on the pillbox hike.Out with some friends, doing some more beautiful hikes!Catching up with old friends, again :)Just hanging out, playing guitar at the hostel. The hostel had a guitar, and I had a fun time playing tunes in the common areas. I got a few compliments and thank-yous, which always feels good.Getting ready to go hike Koko Crater. I'm excited that I was able to beat my personal record, and summit the crater. Unfortunately, I cannot remember exactly what my time was. I think it was under 10 minutes...?Just like the old days, we had a beach volleyball and BBQ day at Ala Moana.The wedding venue was beautiful, the ceremony was great, and everything seemed perfect. David & Erica are such a happy, loving couple, and I'm so proud to call them both my friends!Me and my brother JD, dressed up and looking sharp.As evening set in, the wedding started to get wild!I'm glad I was around to snap this photo. What fun!As mentioned, after Hawaii I stayed in Los Angeles for a week on the way back to Denver. It was great to catch up with some more friends.I finally got to do the quintessential LA pier experience: roller skating down the boardwalk!I had a lot of fun watching the skaters at the park.Here's a funny one! My friend Bianca threw a first-birthday party for her cat. It was a shallow excuse to get friends together, and a fun idea. People brought the cat birthday presents, including this hand-knitted birthday hat.