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The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: February 28th, 2015, 2:01 pm
by 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.


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Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 3rd, 2015, 5:59 am
by Jimmy Cantiello
Looking forward to your island adventures and photos, Ron. Happy Anniversary to you and Patti!

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 3rd, 2015, 10:33 am
by 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.

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 4th, 2015, 9:40 am
by hornplayer
Happy Anniversary Ron and Patti. I know you're enjoying Hawai'i.

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 4th, 2015, 1:47 pm
by 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.

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 5th, 2015, 9:25 pm
by 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.





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Islands with Augustine Volcano in upper/center of photo


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Augustine Volcano


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Our menu


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Appetizer


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


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Dessert


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Our 1st Mai Tai


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


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O'ahu


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Room with a view




More photos soon.

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 6th, 2015, 6:46 am
by hornplayer
mmm looks like it was a great meal. :D

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

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 6th, 2015, 7:46 am
by Jimmy Cantiello
Great photos, Ron!

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 6th, 2015, 12:53 pm
by 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.

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 7th, 2015, 6:39 am
by bluenoter
Today, March 7, is the big day for Ron and Patti Thorne.


      To Ron and Patti

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

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 7th, 2015, 1:56 pm
by Ron Thorne
Thanks so much, Rita, for putting together that Hawaiian Anniversary salute.

Mahalo nui loa,

Ron & Patti

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 7th, 2015, 2:25 pm
by bluenoter
Ron Thorne wrote: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.
;)

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 7th, 2015, 8:20 pm
by 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.

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 7th, 2015, 9:05 pm
by Ron Thorne
Thanks so much, BeBop!

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 8th, 2015, 8:02 am
by pig pen
Congrats Ron!! Looks like a grand way to celebrate.

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 11th, 2015, 7:18 pm
by Ron Thorne
Thanks, pig pen.

___________________

O'ahu continued . . .




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Self-portrait with Rabbit Island in background.


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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Famous Haleiwa Bridge on north shore of O'ahu.


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


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

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 30th, 2015, 12:42 pm
by 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.



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


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Lobster Curry Bisque


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House-made Focaccia


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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.


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


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


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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.

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: March 30th, 2015, 4:25 pm
by 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.



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Our Eurocopter AStar awaits.


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


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Myles getting in on the photo op.


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One of countless waterfalls and rainbows.


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Headed into Waimea Canyon.


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View of Waimea Canyon from my seat, via windshield.


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Waimea Canyon


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Hanalei Bay | Photo by Patti Thorne


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Hanalei Taro fields. | Photo by Patti Thorne


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Portion of Na Pali coastline.


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Small beach on Napali coast.


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The Cathedrals.


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Beach on Na Pali coast.


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"Wall Of Tears".


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Looking north on "Coconut Coast".


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

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: April 1st, 2015, 2:56 pm
by 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.



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


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Black-crowned Night Heron in taro fields at Hanalei.


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Pink Plumeria

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: April 4th, 2015, 5:15 am
by Jimmy Cantiello
Beautiful shots, Ron. I feel like I was there!

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: April 4th, 2015, 1:10 pm
by Ron Thorne
Thanks very much, Jimmy.

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: April 12th, 2015, 10:31 am
by Mr. Met
AMAZING PICTURES, RON! They're beautiful!

Re: The "50/50 Anniversary Tour"

Posted: April 12th, 2015, 12:37 pm
by Ron Thorne
Thanks, Randy.