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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

Big Island Fun: Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii, seems be a popular attraction on the Big Island. It’s easily accessible and free, so visitors of all ages can see its beauty. Even if you’ve been there before, Rainbow Falls is worth revisiting because you just might catch a glimpse of a rainbow in front of the waterfall, depending on the weather.

We first went to Rainbow Falls during our honeymoon on the Big Island in 2014. We had stopped by for a refreshing beverage at the Rainbow Falls Cafe across the street, but sadly it was closed during our most recent trip. This time we explored the same areas as before with V. She loved running around in front of the banyan tree, which is just as beautiful as I remember. We plan to hang a print of our photos in our home to remind us our time in Hawaii.

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Whether you have 15 minutes or hours, you have plenty of time for Rainbow Falls. You can simply admire the waterfall, or if you can walk up the steps to the Banyan tree area. Some people climb on the rocks to the top of the waterfall from here, but I am not certain this is a good idea. It seems kind of dangerous to me!

Sometimes you’ll see tour buses drop off tourists, but these visitors are often only there for a short time. We have had good luck finding parking when we arrive in the morning.

In case you’re wondering, Hilo is about an hour and a half from the Kona side of the island. You can easily fit this park in on the same day as a visit to Akaka Falls. We spent time here after our recent helicopter tour.

Have you been to Rainbow Falls or the Big Island?

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Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

 

 

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Exploring Hilo, Hawaii
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in Hawaii

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Hawaii

I really wanted to visit Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in Hawaii during our honeymoon to the Big Island in 2014, but sadly we weren’t able to make it happen. The national park was on my list for our second visit to the island for its historical importance. I like to mix historical and entertainment activities when visiting a place to really learn about a place and its culture.

The park isn’t far from Kailua-Kona, but we squeezed a visit in after driving back from Hilo on the other side of the island. Admission is only $5 per car or $3 per person if you walk in.

We embarked on a short, self-guided tour of the park and skipped snorkeling, though you could definitely take advantage of the adjacent beach if that’s more your style.

By taking this self-guided walk you get a sense of what life was like for early Hawaiians. According to the park’s website, “The Royal Grounds adjacent to the pu’uhonua were a favored residence of Hawaiian chiefs. Hale-o-Keawe acted as the royal mausoleum and held the remains of 23 chiefs. The mana (spiritual power) of the remains bestowed sanctity upon this sacred area. This temple was constructed in honor of Keawe’ikekahiali’i o kamoku, the great-grandfather of Kamehameha I.”

 

Note from the website: “A snorkeling area locally known as ‘two step’ lies adjacent to the park, and is managed by the Hawaii Department of Natural Resources. ” Also, “snorkellers are asked NOT to enter the water at Keone’ele Cove in the park. This is an important cultural site and the park strives to maintain the cultural landscape. Please respect this site that is important and significant to the Hawaiian people.”

There’s also a 2-mile backcountry trail that requires more time, but we didn’t have it in us that warm day. You can learn about Hawaiian history at this park even if you only have a few hours to spare during your trip. I highly recommend it.

Have you been to Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park?

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Related posts:

Toddler-Friendly Visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Eats: Restaurants on the Big Island
Lava and Rainforests Adventure With Paradise Helicopters

 

Muir Woods National Monument With a Toddler

Muir Woods National Monument

When we booked a last-minute weekend trip to the Bay Area recently, we had only two must-dos on our list besides seeing our family. One of them was visiting Muir Woods National Monument. We’ve been fans of redwood trees for a long time as nature lovers, so we couldn’t wait to see them in person.

Muir Woods recently enacted a new parking and shuttle service, which means you must make a parking or shuttle reservation BEFORE your visit. I am glad my great aunt told me about this new rule, because I was able to log on the website and book a spot for the earliest slot available, 8 a.m. You must arrive during your 30-minute arrival window but you can stay in the park as long as you’d like until the park closes at sunset. The drive from where we were staying in the Union City area was about 45 minutes. Tip: Print or screenshot directions to the park and your reservation ahead of time because service is limited in the area.

The lot attendants will scan the barcode on your reservation (which you can show on your phone) and then you are free to park and enter Muir Woods. You can add an alternate name to your reservation. Admission to the national park was $10 per adult in addition to the $8 parking fee. Tip: Arrive early to explore the woods with few people around. It gets more crowded as the day goes on and the lots fill up.

We took the Hillside Trail loop around the park and it was easy enough for pregnant person and 3-year-old to do. Take your time and admire the views of the majestic trees. Note: This is a quiet trail. If your toddler can’t be quiet for long enough, it may not be the best idea, although we encountered plenty of adults who couldn’t abide by this rule, while V could.

In the middle of the loop we branched off to check out the beginning of the trail into the adjacent Mount Tamalpais State Park. We ventured too far into the state park because we were starting to work up an appetite, but it’s worth a side trip while at Muir Woods. Next we went to the cafe for lunch. The choices were a bit limited (most of the salads were sold out), but I we chose from what was left, ordering an egg salad sandwich, a PB&J and a hot dog. Most (if not all) of the options are organic, grass fed and made with local ingredients, though. We also made a pit stop in the gift shop to continue our tradition of picking up an ornament on our travels.

 

You can easily spend an entire day here, but we decided to also check out nearby Muir Beach. It’s only 3 miles down the same road as the park. We were told we’d have to circle around looking for parking, but we lucked out and found a spot immediately. It was super full and a line was forming by the time we left, though, so arrive early! V enjoyed playing at the edge of the water. A man nearby was blowing bubbles for the kiddos, and she also really liked that. It was a nice little day trip.

 

Have you visited Muir Woods National Monument or Muir Beach?

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New Fabletics Workout Attire & My Pregnancy Fitness Routine

** This post is sponsored by Fabletics. All opinions are my own.

Fitness has been an important part of my life for seven years now. I have known that I want to stay as active as possible throughout my pregnancy, but my fitness routine has certainly changed. What motivates me to want to work out still involves cute athletic wear though! Today I’m sharing my pregnancy fitness routine and the new workout outfit I am loving to help me not only look great but feel confident during this special but challenging time.

I have written about Fabletics before because I have been impressed with their workout attire. They have such pretty designs, and I’ve found that they hold up well to frequent use and washes. I wear this Fabletics top all the time because I love the coverage in the back and it’s comfortable.

My Pregnancy Fitness Routine | New Fabletics Workout Outfit

My Pregnancy Fitness Routine | New Fabletics Workout Outfit

My New Fabletics Workout Outfit + Wish List:

I recently received the Aubrey Tank (White) and the Salar Mesh Powerhold Capri (Aegean) from Fabletics to try. The new collection is so adorable that it was difficult to choose an outfit! I wanted everything!

The Aubrey Tank is super comfortable and moisture-wicking. It’s meant to have a loose fit, but during pregnancy it fits around the belly. (You could also size up if you’re pregnant if you still want that relaxed fit.)  I chose capri leggings from Fabletics because I am short and I always prefer the shorter style. The side panels add a nice touch.

 

 

Other legging features:

  • Chafe resistant
  • All-way stretch
  • Sculpting
  • UPF protection
  • Quick dry

My Pregnancy Fitness Routine:

I’ve had to adjust my fitness routine since becoming pregnant. In the beginning, I was running regularly as before, but then I had to listen to my body and cut back. I now focus most of my attention to yoga and walking at an incline on the treadmill or hiking. I’ve had the opportunity to hike in the Phoenix mountains during my visit and when I’m back home in Chicago I use the treadmill two or three times a week. When I run on the treadmill, I alternate between jogging and walking on an incline. I plan to return to running as my primary workout as soon as possible after baby so I can train for the Chicago Half-Marathon in September.

To sum up my pregnancy workouts:

  • Yoga (in class or on my own)
  • Jogging
  • Walking on the treadmill at an incline (alternating with jogging)
  • Random at-home strength exercises such as lunges and squats

Have you tried Fabletics? Check out the new styles and let me know what items you’d love to get! This month you can get 2 pairs of leggings for $24 – a $99 value – when you sign up for their flexible VIP membership program!

Shop my Fabletics outfit**:

Click the images below to shop my outfit.

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A Phoenix Hike

Warren Dunes State Park | Testing the Drone!

Recently I shared my camping and road trip essentials and prep list in anticipation of our weekend. We had planned to go to Indiana Dunes, but at the last minute we decided to change our destination to Warren Dunes State Park. It reminded us a lot of Nordhouse Dunes, where we camped last summer.

We tested out the DJI Mavic Pro drone for the first time, too! We only have a little bit of footage because the flying time is only 27 minutes, which was longer than most of the other drones we saw available.

 

 

About Warren Dunes:

  • It’s dog-friendly and the dog areas are clearly marked. They must be on leashes though.
  • Alcoholic beverages are prohibited and rangers/officers patrol the beach, citing anyone who has them.
  • You can rent kayaks and paddleboards!
  • You’ll need an umbrella, because there’s no shade.
  • Out-of-state residents pay $9 per day or $32 for an annual pass.
  • It’s only an hour and a half from Chicago, but it took us more than two hours to get home on Sunday evening.

Watch our video at Warren Dunes!

Father’s Day Gifts for the Outdoors Lover

** This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission on purchases through these links.

Graham loves the outdoors, so my gifts to him are usually things he could use when we go camping or when we travel. For his first Father’s Day, I know he would love nothing more than to spend the day outdoors with us. Sadly, we aren’t able to go on an adventure trip this weekend, but he is counting down the days until we can camp this summer. In honor of the day honoring dads, I’ve rounded up four gifts the nature-loving father would love.

Deuter Backpack: A good camping/hiking backpack will last him years, so it’s worth the investment. Any camping or trail lover would get good use out of this. Plus, you can also use it for traveling.

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Stanley Adventure Vacuum Stainless Steel Bottle: Graham could get use out of this for camping and hiking, as well as his day-to-day job since it’s outdoors and requires durable gear.
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Blue Ridge Camping Hammock: Graham would love this! We already are hammock lovers, and we’ve slept in hammocks instead of tents while camping in the Grand Canyon. This hammock looks much more comfortable to sleep in than a regular one, and it helps keep insects away. 

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Black Diamond Storm Headlamp: This is another gift that is handy for daily life, emergencies and outdoors activities.  He can use this while riding his bike (which he hasn’t done in a while and misses) at dusk or dawn, while camping, or even when our power goes out at home. A quality headlamp is always appreciated by a nature-loving person.

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What would you gift to an outdoorsy dad? 

Phoenix Hike: White Tank Mountains

When you have time in Phoenix, you’d be crazy to not spend some of it hiking. One beautiful area to consider visiting is the White Tank Mountains Regional Park. It’s about a 35-minute drive from central Phoenix in Waddell, but it’s worth the trek. It’s an expansive park with opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, picnics, mountain biking and exploring.

Last time I visited the park was when I lived in Phoenix. Graham and I had hiked the Waterfall Trail after a rainfall, one of the few times you’ll actually see water flowing. This time we chose the 1.3-mile Black Rock Trail, which connects with the Waterfall Trail. You can do either the short or long loop, and walked the long option. You’ll be surrounded by barrel cacti, saguaros, and more desert flora. The hike isn’t too difficult, so anyone can do it. The park is also large enough that even though you share the trails with families, baby boomers, mountain bikers and more, you don’t feel too crowded, as you do on other popular mountains. You could spend the entire day at the park and feel entertained, refreshed and energized, which makes the visit well worth the $6 per car entrance fee.

Of course, there are numerous options for trail hikes. You can hike 8 miles or half a mile; it’s up to you and your desired level of exercise. Some trails also have markers that show archaeological artifacts or areas, which you should admire but never touch. (Don’t deface or take them home, either!) Just enjoy being outdoors in gorgeous weather (assuming you are visiting in the winter).

Be on the lookout for wildlife, rock stacks and desert flora as well. You will see many varieties of cacti, including the barrel cactus. whose curved needles Native Americans used as fish hooks. (I learned that neat fact on a park sign.)

Learn a lesson from the towering saguaros at White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Stand tall and shine!

Have you visited White Tank Mountain Regional Park or Phoenix in general? 

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A Phoenix Hike

Dreamy Draw Recreation Area

The No. 1 activity I had planned during our weekend in Phoenix was a hike, even if it wasn’t too challenging or long. I longed for the Phoenix sunshine, especially as we made our way to the Chicago airport with a real feel in the negative digits. I didn’t pack any jackets or sweaters for Phoenix, which was wishful thinking considering it does get chilly in the mornings and evenings. I ended up wearing Graham’s Cubs hoodie or his jackets when I couldn’t take the desert “cold.” Victoria spent some time with her great-grandma while Graham and I took a quick trip to the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, our old stomping grounds. It’s not the most impressive mountain area to hike, like Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak, but it was our hiking spot. It’s also huge, you could spend all day or multiple days exploring the vast network of trails, which are shared among hikers, dog walkers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. We would hike here frequently when we lived in Phoenix, usually during summer storms. We called ourselves storm chasers, in fact.

We went to our old sunset-viewing area during the early afternoon to get a glimpse of the city. We were also treated to a coyote sighting.

I was quite comfortable and cool in my new workout gear, which was a Christmas gift from my older sister. She knows the way to a fitness lover’s heart! Plus, all I ever want for the holiday is athletic wear to help me reach my goals. She bought me an outfit from Fabletics** in my favorite color, purple.

Fabletics is offering a first outfit for $10 until Jan. 10, 2017. **
The tank has side band detail.
Took this photo of the back of the tank after the hike.

The top is the Theresa Tunic Tank, which covers your assets, if you know what I mean. I appreciate that because sometimes I feel self-conscious when I wear athleisure clothing out and about. This tank is a little longer on me because I have a short torso, but I think it would be flattering on many body types. Also, this would be ideal for yoga, because during certain poses your top tends to move about and expose your midriff, and this could help with that. It’s a racerback tank as well.

The print on the leggings is my favorite. It’s called the Metallic Pebble print, but it reminds me of my cosmic inspired Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17 running shoes, which I wore for the hike. The size small leggings fit perfectly.

Shop my Fabletics outfit **

Camping in Michigan | Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness

Graham and I love to camp. We camped together at Fossil Creek in Arizona for the first time after just a few weeks of dating and we’ve been doing it ever since. When we lived in Phoenix we would often camp once a month or so, but we had yet to camp in the Midwest since moving to Chicago in March 2015. We finally got a chance to remedy that when Graham had three consecutive days off work for the first time in months. We packed up our things (and the pups!) and headed to Michigan to find dispersed camping.

We do not like crowded campsites, and we had heard that you can camp anywhere on public lands as long as there are no posted signs prohibiting it. We chose Manistee National Forest as our destination and set off from Chicago on a five-hour drive. Graham and I kept asking each other if we were in Costa Rica when we saw the lush forests along the highway. It reminded me of the greenery we saw on our trip.

When we arrived at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, we didn’t immediately know where to camp. We drove around surveying the area before deciding to keep driving on the forest road. We drove north on 5356 until we found a spot near the Lake Michigan Recreation Area. While we had campers nearby, it was not on a developed campground and we had plenty of privacy.
We were so proud of ourselves for having out campsite set up so early in the day. When we camped in Arizona we had always rushed to beat the sunset. It was a nice change to have the entire day off and free to do whatever we wanted. We ate lunch and then set off to check out the Lake Michigan Recreation Area park. To park, you just need to pay $5 and deposit the fee into an envelope and drop it in the box. We walked over to check out the swimming area when we realized dogs aren’t allowed in the swimming area. We decided to walk up the stairs leading to the viewpoint instead. We later walked north from the park to a spot for a swim away from other people.

That night was spent relaxing and catching up. It seems as though I don’t see Graham a lot even though we live together because of our crazy schedules. I loved spending that quality time with no one else there besides the dogs. Dinner was our version of Mexican street corn plus black-bean burger patties on a bed of salad (from a bag) and topped with Colby-Monterrey cheese and salsa. We just hung out. I had limited to no service, so I was not distracted by social media at all. It was perfect.
The next day we drove to a nearby country store to get Graham his morning coffee, which was only 50 cents! We made egg burritos for breakfast and then set off for a hike at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area. This park is dog-friendly so Taylor and Capone could join us on a hike to the beach. Each way was about 2 miles. We chose a less-frequented trail than most people seemed to be doing, but we’re OK with that. It led us to a section of the beach that was not crowded at all, and we swam and played with the dogs for hours. The water was clear, cool and refreshing, and I could not believe the views.

Later that afternoon, we headed back on another trail that was on top of a hill. You can see impressive views of the lake and the forest and we did not see one person on that trail. It was even a little nerve-racking because we didn’t know where the trail was heading at first. We later discovered that it rejoins the main trail but was a more scenic route. What a wonderful surprise!

We finished that day back at Lake Michigan Recreation Area, where we made dinner. I had black bean and vegetable soup and Graham had canned pasta, and each had a quesadilla. We then watched the sunset from the top of a hill above the beach. After all, Graham says one of his goals in life is to watch the sunset over as many bodies of water as possible.

I was in awe of the fact that the sun sets around 9. I had forgotten that Michigan is an hour ahead of Chicago and thus has so much sunlight late in the evening. It was incredible. As a lifelong Arizonan who never had to observe daylight-saving time, that is new to me.
Sunday was spent relaxing and cleaning up before returning to Chicago. The drive back took a lot longer –6 hours — because of construction and accidents. We were exhausted, dirty and tired of being on the road, but we had a wonderful time in Michigan. I can’t wait to go back!

Watch a video of our Michigan camping trip!

Tortuga Lodge, Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Our first stop in Costa Rica after flying into San Jose was Tortuga Lodge in Tortuguero. It’s a village on the Caribbean side of the country that is known for the turtles who nest and hatch on its beaches. The village is only accessible by boat or plane. Our options were to rent a car, drive to a nearby village and take a boat, or we could take a 30-minute $90 flight (for both of us) to Tortuguero. We did have the option to take a guided tour with everything included, but we prefer to be on our own.

The Nature Air flight made getting to the lodge extremely easy. We called the lodge the day before we landed and told them we’d be arriving at 7 a.m. They said they’d have a boat waiting for us at the air strip. When our flight landed, we deboarded the plane to see a young man, who asked if I was Mrs. Flora. He was there to help us with our bags and escort us to the boat that was waiting. The boat took us on a two-minute ride across the river to the lodge. How convenient is that?!

 

 

We were early for check-in and our room wasn’t ready yet, so we headed to the lodge’s restaurant for breakfast. We ate al fresco while admiring the scenery. I opted for the gallo pinto breakfast.

 

After breakfast, we checked into our room, which was located in the building next to the office. On one side of our room we had a view of the river, and on the other we had a view of the grounds, which led to a nature preserve area that is part of the property. We received a map of the trails on the property; they allow you to hike on your own and see monkeys, birds, iguanas and tiny dart frogs. Guided nature walks are held every morning around 6 a.m. and you can also book private walks at any time. For your convenience, rain boots, walking sticks and maps are available at the start of the trail (behind the office). It was such a treat being able to hike whenever we wanted. The hikes allow you to see animals in their habitat, but the iguanas weren’t shy about roaming the grounds.

 

 

We hiked every day we were there. It was so beautiful and serene. We could start our hikes right outside our door, and we roamed every trail on the property several times a day.

 

 

 

 

 

Each morning, we awoke to the sounds of howler monkeys, which the lodge called nature’s alarm clock. You really have no choice but to adjust your schedule here because the lodge rooms have no windows, only screens. Every room has hammocks and chairs outside your door where you can sit with your coffee and watch the sunrise. You are open to nature, and this trip is about relaxing and exploring. You won’t find a TV or A/C in the room; the lodge considers itself eco-friendly. We found that we were OK with the fans that were provided. At any time we could ask for ice from the bar or a wet towel.

 

 

 

 

Another nice perk is that free snacks are offered every night before dinner. You can lounge in the bar area and grub on hummus and chips or whatever they provide that night. Coffee and tea are always ready as well, along with cookies or crackers.

The property also has a pool and hammock area.  Boats wait at the dock and regularly take guests into town. You can also book a water taxi if the lodge boats aren’t running. If at any time you want to go to the beach on the other side of the air strip, you can ask for a boat to take you and they will gladly do so. When you want to return to the lodge, you simply wave your arms in the air. People in the office will see you and send a boat to go get you.

 

 

Various tours are offered by the lodge. We booked a nature tour ($100 per person) on the rivers and canals and when we returned, we had lemonade and wet towels waiting for us. It was a much-needed treat on a hot, sunny day.

The weather tends to be unpredictable. It might start off raining but turn into a gorgeous sunny day. Or vice versa. That’s why those rain boots are necessary! The lodge has umbrellas and bug spray waiting outside the office for guests to use at any time. You can sit and watch the rain from chairs that are set up with a view of the river.

 

The service was excellent. When our transportation out of Tortuguero left us, one worker called multiple times to straighten out the situation, and another waited with us and tried to console me. I really appreciated their kindness. I would definitely stay at the Tortuga Lodge again.

Have you been to Costa Rica? What was your favorite thing to do?

Read more about Costa Rica

 

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