8-18-16- Off to Maui!!!!

It was a LONG day.  We got up at 5am Eastern time (11pm Hawaiian Time) and were on our 50 minute ride to the airport by 5:45.  Big thanks to Angie for dropping us off!  Sorry you had to get up so early, but at least there wasn't much traffic then!  We got to the gate 1 1/2 hours early, but I didn't want to miss our flight!
A full moon leading us to the airport before dawn.

Even drove straight through Atlanta that early instead of taking the outer belt.

Made it to the gate in time to see the sun rise.

Flights went well.  Our AA award miles had us flying on Alaska Airlines.  Other then them having to remove some luggage and asking for some people to fly later (for $400) because it was overweight, the flights with Alaskan were great---not crowded, cheerful stewards, on time, even got free MaiTais  as a welcome to Maui.
So long Atlanta---until we have to go home.

 Breakfast---cheese and crackers and fruit. 

 It was a nice day to fly---smooth and relatively clear.

 zoomed in around the Grand Canyon.

 The Colorado River????

Alien crop circles????

Near Portland

Washington Mountains.  If I'd been thinking, I should have gotten seats on the left side of the plane.  The views of Mt. Hood had to be outstanding.  It was one of the clearest days that I've flown into Portland.  But the distant views of the Washington Mountains were great, too.

 following the Columbia River to PDX

 I had thought the nearer mountain was Mt. St. Helens and the farther one Mt. Ranier. 

 But I saw a flatter mountain a little farther west and wonder if it was St. Helens. 

 The bridge going into Washington right by the PDX airport.

 We had barely enough time to grab a couple sandwiches and we were ready to board our connection to Maui.
A distant view of Mt. Hood as we took off from PDX.

 We followed the Willamette River down through the valley. 

 Then we cut West and to the Pacific.

 About 5 hours later we were approaching Maui.

 We even got a tour---the pilot took us across to the other side of the island and back in order to land from West to East, or is it South to North?

 

Soon we were on our way to the Enterprise car rental place to get our Premium car.  I had reserved it back when we were suppose to be flying out of St. Louis.  When I had to change the departure city to Atlanta, I wasn't able to get a award flights for the same date that our St. Louis flights had been, but was able to get them for the next day.  I was pleased to find out that Enterprise will hold your reservation for 24 hours past the pick up  time.  In fact, they even took the missed day off the rate!  So we drove off in our Buick Lacrosse for the next 2 weeks (for $430).  I'm liking that car!

I also liked this sticker on someone's truck----

 Even our day late check in to Worldmark Kihei went fine.  I hadn't planned to take more pictures of it since we've been there a couple times before, but we were pleasantly surprised to see they've been renovated!  Our maintenance fees at work!

I thought it was tastefully done.

our computer table----

 Once we unpacked and got situated, it was time to head out again in search of something to drink, food, and sunset.  We were going to eat at Peggy Sues, but found out sunset wasn't too far off.  So I got a pineapple milk shake and Ken got a Strawberry malt and we took them to Kalama Park for sunset.  It was actually a pretty nice one!

Lots of pink in the sky, although it didn't last long.

 Some late comers to the sunset.

One last shot, then off to Time's grocery store. 

 By now we were too tired to go out to eat.  Ran across the street to Jack in the Box (can't get that in Atlanta), and headed to the condo.  Hopefully we'll get a good night's sleep tonight and not be up at 4 am!