I woke up early Saturday morning, fully packed for a weekend of adventure, and hopped in the car for a little "me" time. Was on my way up through Hawaiian Paradise Park, when I noticed some fresh garage sale signs! Yippee!

I found some interesting items I just couldn't live without and one vintage dish I'll put on my Etsy Shop, Mai Aloha.

The best and most awesome treasure was this 27-1/2" clam shell. I placed my slippers next to it so you can get an idea of how enormous it is. I tried to pick it up to put it in my car and the seller giggled at me. My husband says it weighs about 100 lbs!

I proceeded to drive over the Saddle Road towards my destination: Waikoloa Beach Hotel. Looking forward to a couple of balmy breeze-filled days and nights. Alone. I have only done this a few times so I really savored every moment. I took my camera with me, of course, and snapped these wild turkeys that had separated from the flock in the middle of the road. Some went left and these went right. Right after I saw these guys, I saw the most beautiful Kalij Pheasant.

I also brought with me: crystals, candles, a good book to read, drawing pad, some inspiration, pencils, pens, Sleepy Time tea and Blackberry Brandy. =)

Here are the photographic highlights of my time very well spent relaxing, enjoying the beauty around me and feeling gratitude for all of life's blessings.

Resort's bridge near A Bay.

A honu (sea turtle) with a crazy amount of white moss on it's shell.

A mystery. I've asked around and no one can tell me who put these here or what they represent.

The "Signature" tree. A local tradition. Better than graffiti.

Colorful Koi fill the pond (carp).

Lily pads in bloom. Their lovely vibrant purple flowers attract lots of bees.

I really don't know what these are called, but I think they are weeds. Pretty though.

I just Love palm trees. My maiden name is Palmer. Which I recently discovered translates to Palm Bearer. Apparently my ancestors would wave palm fronds in processionals during the Middle Ages. The "i" was dropped when my grandfather, Vito Palmeri, came to the USA from Sicily.

His first stop, Ellis Island.