The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

[Ron Thorne]

Patti & I are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in our 50th state . . . Hawai'i. We're on Waikiki Beach now but will soon head for our favorite island, Kaua'i for a few weeks of relaxation and celebration.

Photos soon.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Looking forward to your island adventures and photos, Ron. Happy Anniversary to you and Patti!

[moldyfigg]

We just celrated out 33rd. I've been married for 53 years, but not all to Donna.

Have a great trip.

Have a pineapple daiquiri for us.

[hornplayer]

Happy Anniversary Ron and Patti. I know you're enjoying Hawai'i.

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. We just arrived on Kaua'i yesterday and will be posting some photos soon. It's breezy & overcast today, but it's still paradise.

[Ron Thorne]

Finally, some photos!

The "tour" began in Anchorage, and the 1st few shots were taken very soon after getting airborne. You'll see islands and an active volcano which are about 150 miles south of Anchorage, then a few obligatory in-flight photos of our 1st class service on Alaska Airlines to O'ahu. We certainly can't afford to always fly 1st class, but treated ourselves for this milestone event. Before our fabulous meal, we were offered a Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Mimosa (w/champagne), which was served with a snack of warm cashews and almonds.





Islands with Augustine Volcano in upper/center of photo



Augustine Volcano



Our menu



Appetizer



Our entree, Alaskan Cod w/ Black Bean Sauce, Steamed Calrose Rice and Yu Choy



Dessert



Our 1st Mai Tai



Our 1st sighting of O'ahu through colorful post-sunset clouds



O'ahu



Room with a view




More photos soon.

[hornplayer]

mmm looks like it was a great meal.

I like Chateau Ste Michelle wines. When I was in Seattle I engineered a private tour of their winery for us.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Great photos, Ron!

[Ron Thorne]

June, the food on Alaska Airlines is really amazing, considering the potential for mediocrity . . . or worse. It's consistently fresh, flavorful, and nicely presented . . . on china. They use proper glasses for cocktails, wine, etc.

Thanks, Jimmy. I have more photos to upload today.

[bluenoter]

Today, March 7, is the big day for Ron and Patti Thorne.

To Ron and Patti

(Hau`oli lā Ho'omana'o = Happy Anniversary)

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks so much, Rita, for putting together that Hawaiian Anniversary salute.

Mahalo nui loa,

Ron & Patti

[bluenoter]

Thanks so much, Rita, for putting together that Hawaiian Anniversary salute.

Mahalo nui loa,

Ron & Patti

My pleasure. BTW, the double-rainbow photo at the top was taken (by whom, I don't know) in Kaua'i. But now that I think about it, I'm sure you recognize the spot.

[BeBop]

After a few days of (snowy) distraction, I'm back to jazztalk to add my hearty "Congratulations".

I regret that I didn't think to take a picture of the half-can of Diet Coke I was served on today's Dallas-to-Chicago flight. But I'd have toasted your joyous day, if I'd known.

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks so much, BeBop!

[pig pen]

Congrats Ron!! Looks like a grand way to celebrate.

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks, pig pen.

___________________

O'ahu continued . . .




Self-portrait with Rabbit Island in background.



Na Hoku II about to depart. We've been on this catamaran many times in the past, at sunset.



Na Hoku II headed out, weaving its way through a gauntlet of surfers.



Patti's Caesar Salad at Hula Grill, one of our favorite haunts.



My Ono Burger with some of the most perfect french fries ever.



House-made Ice Cream Sandwich with Raspberry Coulis from Hula Grill. The message is Happy Anniversary (cocoa powder) in Hawaiian.



Patti on our lanai wearing He'e Lei I got for her from a lovely Hawaiian lady.



View of Honolulu and Diamond Head from Punchbowl Crater and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.



Famous Haleiwa Bridge on north shore of O'ahu.



Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa. Passion Fruit, Guava & Papaya . . . "The Tropical Blend".



Pineapple fields as far as you can see in the Central Valley on O'ahu.

[Ron Thorne]

Man, did I get behind in posting photos from our 50/50 Anniversary Tour! Apologies.

Here are some photos from our anniversary dinner on Kaua'i, at Hukilau Lanai, a favorite restaurant of ours.



"Wally's Salad", filled with local ingredients, lightly dressed with Papaya Seed Dressing.



Lobster Curry Bisque



House-made Focaccia



Patti's entrée: Hukilau Mixed Grill ... A sampling of Island grilled seafood (Ono & Hebi) and sugar cane skewered shrimp. Served with creamy orzo pasta & Thai chile coconut sauce.



My entrée: Fresh Opah (Moonfish) with capers and white wine sauce on bed of red skin potatoes with leeks. An edible Nasturtium sits atop.



(L) Macadamia Nut Tart with Cinnamon Ice Cream. Dark Chocolate slab with "Happy Anniversary". (R) Guava Sorbet with Macadamia Nut Cookie. Edible Nasturtiums, too.



After dinner smiles signal a satisfied feeling. I'm wearing the 1st aloha shirt I ever bought ... in 1980. I still love it and it still fits! Patti is wearing her late mother's shawl which she
purchased in Hawai'i.

[Ron Thorne]

As part of our 50/50 Anniversary Tour celebration, Patti & I had an extraordinary experience, a 1 hour helicopter tour of our favorite island . . . Kaua'i. I had wanted to do this for years but Patti wasn't comfortable with the idea. Just before leaving for Hawai'i, she told me that if I still wanted to do it, she would go as an anniversary gift to me. What a sweetie! It was an amazing, surreal experience, and we were blessed with good weather and a great young pilot, Myles. Here are just a few images from our trip.




Our Eurocopter AStar awaits.



The happy couple just prior to takeoff. Taken by Myles, our pilot.



Myles getting in on the photo op.



One of countless waterfalls and rainbows.



Headed into Waimea Canyon.



View of Waimea Canyon from my seat, via windshield.






Waimea Canyon



Hanalei Bay | Photo by Patti Thorne



Hanalei Taro fields. | Photo by Patti Thorne



Portion of Na Pali coastline.






Small beach on Napali coast.



The Cathedrals.



Beach on Na Pali coast.


















"Wall Of Tears".



Looking north on "Coconut Coast".



A very happy couple, still wearing our life preservers. Note Myles in the background. He was very cool.

[Ron Thorne]

I took over 1,000 photos on our recent trip, and I like many of them, but every once in a while one or more rise to a special place. For various reasons, here are three totally different images, taken under varying and difficult lighting conditions which rose to that "special place" to me.




Driving through "tree tunnel" on way to old Koloa Town.



Black-crowned Night Heron in taro fields at Hanalei.



Pink Plumeria

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Beautiful shots, Ron. I feel like I was there!

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks very much, Jimmy.

[Mr. Met]

AMAZING PICTURES, RON! They're beautiful!

[Ron Thorne]

Thanks, Randy.