Lesson for a Road Trip

Before we headed out we had the car serviced: oil change, coolant/heat checked, tires rotated, and safety inspection completed.

We didn’t think to check fuses. When we plugged in our Garmin GPS we realized it wasn’t working on the car charge, but on the internal battery. After searching for loose connections, defective wiring – we realized the fuse in the car to the power accessory plug was blown. Fortunately this occurred in a town and not in the middle of nowhere America.
Another incident was that the radiator fan would not turn off. Well, we thought it was from the haul up into the mountains up to 8000 feet. After a long dinner stop in Reno, we came out to a dead battery. The relay switch to the radiator fan was broken. Again we were lucky, it occurred in Reno – don’t know what kind of preventive maintenance we could have done on that one, but $250 later we were back on the road.

THEN, after about 30 miles outside of Reno the tread on one of our tires came off! Again, lucky! We were next to a truck stop exit and were able to back it off the road safely. We found a Goodyear tire store and replaced BOTH back tires. The tires had only been purchased about 3 years ago – BUT, the tires were 8 years old! How does that happen?! Apparently tire retailers can have tires in their stock rooms for several years and sell them without you knowing how old they are. The rubber had already started to deteriorate before we bought them! So buyers beware! Something to have checked prior to a long road trip.

Wish us luck the rest of our trip!

Road Trip

As my friends know, we are driving from California to Virginia. Our main objective is to see the natural beauty of America. We aren’t very interested in shopping, eating or other “man-made” things. Hotel stops will be planned as we go along, major requirements are clean, safe and accept pets.

We arrived in Oakland CA on May 5th and started our trip. Our first major stop was in San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge. It was a great site, the most surprising was seeing surfers catching waves under the bridge; we thought we had seen the last surfers for a while in Hawaii. We then spent some time at the piers shops and restaurants, enjoyed seeing the Sea Lions in the harbor and marveled at Alcatraz in the bay – we when headed east – next stop . . . Yosemite National Park!

Out of Housing

We are now homeless! Well, not really, and definetly in a good way!



We are out of housing and into TLA a the Outrigger Reef Hotel in Waikiki - http://www.outriggerreef.com/ VERY nice hotel - newly renovated all new rooms/fixtures ect. Slept like a baby last night. The nice part is it is 3 hotels away from the Hale Koa (military hotel ) http://www.halekoa.com/ that has a PX - I walked over there this am to pick up a quart of milk for $1.35 - they sell the same milk at this hotel shop for $3.15 - we are also parking our car at the Hale Koa for $8/day v. $24/day here at the Outrigger, just go to the HaleKoa parking garage and ask for a parking pass. Having a military ID card has its benefits!If anyone has questions about getting TLA and non-avail status let me know.

Checking out of housing was not at bad as I thought it would be. I was worried about the carpet (it is at least 7 1/2 years old), but I shampooed it as requested, but it still looked worn out in certain high traffic spots. The inspectors said it was fine and did not charge - as far as cleaning goes, only had to wipe out the cabinets, sweep the floors and vacuum the carpets - stove and fridge had to be clean - and the blinds and ceiling fans needed to be wiped down - the rest was just wipe down clean - much much easier than previous check out requirements.



'Til next timeMarcelaine!

Traveling with a pet

As part of our military move from Hawaii to Germany we are going to drive from Oakland, CA to Hampton, VA. When I say we . . . I mean me, my husband, our 11 year old son and our 5 year old Lab/Sheppard mix, Koda.

The first hurtle was getting him an airline ticket. Military tickets booked us with Hawaiian Air (http://www.hawaiianair.com/) because they take pets. Well when we called to confirm, we discovered the pet PLUS the kennel can’t weigh more than 70 lbs. Well Koda weighs 65 lbs. without the 20 lb. cage. We called the airline, but they said, NO! Sorry, you will have to fly with someone else. So it was back to the travel office and now we are flying with Delta (http://www.delta.com/), but instead of a nice 5 hour direct flight, we are flying from Honolulu, to Salt Lake City, UT and then BACK to Oakland Ca for a total travel time of 10 hours.

For starters we got him a nice haircut so that we aren’t eating and breathing long hairs during out 3300+ miles and 2 weeks long road trip. He looks kind of funny, but it will be worth it. I think he feels better too, cooler. I have goggled pet friendly hotels – keep posted with my blogs and I will let you know how that goes.

I was told that the DoubleTree hotel in Waikiki accepts pets . . . for a fee of $75 and there is a max weight of 75 lbs. http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/HNLKADT-Doubletree-Alana-Hotel-Waikiki-Hawaii/index.do We are keeping Koda with a local friend on base, we have dog sat for them in the past.

Taking a pet overseas to another country requires careful planning. Germany requires a health inspection for a USDA approved Veterinarian and a particular form is required. It can be downloaded at the following site and printed and taken to your vet: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/animal_germany.shtml
Germany also prohibits the import of certain breeds that are considered dangerous. i.e.: American Staffordshire terrier , Staffordshire bull terrier , bull terrier. Check out this website for details: http://www.zoll.de/english_version/a0_passenger_traffic/e0_vub/h0_dangerous_dogs/index.html
All dogs must have implanted chips. Tattoos are no longer sufficient.

Keep following this blog and I will keep you posted on how things are going

'til next time

Marcelaine

Places to Eat on Oahu Hawaii

Oahu Hawaii Restaurants: We all know the chain restaurants, and they are no different here than anywhere else in the U.S (except a bit more expensive) – We had fun finding Locally grown places to eat – I have listed some of the more memorable ones




Best Chinese: Little Village Noodle House in Honolulu on Smith Street – great food, reasonable prices and free parking - the lettuce wraps are great when dieting, even the vegetarian selection is very filling, tasty and low fat – http://www.littlevillagehawaii.com/




Dim Sum: great little place across the street from the Little Village Noodle House on smith street called Mei Sum Dim Sum – ladies push carts around the restaurant with steam baskets of little packets of wonderful cuisine – the menu has pictures, so all you have to do is select and point – my mom and I ate there for less than $10 – my favorite was the Garlic Eggplant, but the Pork Hash is really yummy too!





GARLIC: Ninniku-ya Garlic Restaurant located on Wailae Ave off King St – Hard to find, but worth the drive – HUGE portions – GREAT Ribeye steak, enough for 2 unless your really a carnivore – the side of mash potatoes was good but really small, if your sharing order another side – pricey – but was worth it to me, because I really am not a good steak cooker - call for reseverations, it is really small – it is located in a converted small house, really interesting décor and use of space




Great Views:




SARENTO'S - also known as “Top of the I” located on the top floor of the Ilikae Hotel – Make reservations and ask for a window seat facing the sunset (be specific) then get there about 30 min before sunset – the view is breath taking – the food is very good – had the Oso bucca the first time, and the Filet Mignon the second time – both very tasty and generous portions – a bit pricey, but worth it

JOHN DOMINUS – located on Ahui Street – very interesting place – it is built over the water, the floor of the place is made of planks that give the appearance that the ocean floor is below you, there are salt water fish swimming beneath – the view of Diamonhead and downtown Waikiki is great – if you get there in the evening you can enjoy watching the surfers catch the last waves of the day, the lights turn on in Waikiki, and the sun set into the Pacific Ocean – great seafood, ok steaks, very pricey, but your paying for a great view - here a link to a copy of the menu http://www.hanaumabay-hawaii.com/JDmenu.htm

Hickam Air Force Base – Two locations – the first is the SAND BAR AND GRILL located at the Hickam beach – tasty bar type food – good drinks – reasonable prices – your sitting on the deck, overlooking the ocean/inlet to Pearl Harbor – often get to see F-15 jets taking off on the runway located next to the beach, Navy Ships coming in and out of port, or the neat site of a submarine coming in or out of port – Awesome sunsets! - - the second location is WILBUR & ORVILLE'S CAFE located next to the Officer’s Club – they have a great lunch and breakfast, really in expensive – sit out on the deck and watch the ships and subs come in and out of Pearl Harbor – It is soo cool to watch the big ships and subs pull into the channel, it always makes be proud to be an american and a military wife!

Hawaii/Hickam Airforce Base

As I reflect back on my 5 years and 4 months in Hawaii, I must say . . . life was good. I lived in one of the most beautiful places on earth - the weather is always wonderful. I have seen the most beautiful rainbows in my life, this is truly the "rainbow state". The blue water looks as if it was painted, it is so clear you can see tropical fish swimming without getting wet, I highly recommend getting wet! I have eaten at some wonderful restaurants I am more than happy to share where to go and where not to go! I have stayed in several hotels, again, will share. Traveled to outer islands, the Big Island, Kuai, and Maui - definetly places to see! I managed to complete a Master's Degree in Nursing from Hawaii Pacific University. Worked at Tripler Army Medical Center as a federal employee and contract employee. Worked in various hospitals as a contract ER and ICU nurse. Gained 40 lbs and then lost 57 lbs (to date). Experienced Hawaii public schools and private schools. Lived on Hickam Force Base - "the Jewel of the Pacific". Have made wonderful friends. Anyone planning to PCS to Hickam can access their website for more info at http://www2.hickam.af.mil/

Ready to PCS

Im in the process of preparing our quarters for housing inspection and am feeling the need to share. I imagine there are a lot of military spouses who would like to vent/share and maybe even have some helpful tips.

My airforce spouse is TDY for 10 days and we are leaving HI to transfer to Germany in 15 days - He left the day after the movers picked up everything- so it is up to me to take care of the rest, ie. clean, organize, pack, and check out of quarters. I spent 2 days removing wall paper and applying two coats of primer paint to cover the wonderful green walls and border in the kitchen, I thought was a great idea 5 1/2 years ago. I also had to disassemble a computer hutch that I knew wouldnt make another move, because it wouldnt fit through the door way for trash pick up day ( I didnt realize it wouldnt fit until I dragged/pushed it to the front door). After the furniture was gone I was able to see where my wonderful spouse spilled drinks (the spots were around his recliner and computer chair). My back is killing me and I am in need of a great massage!