Frank Mier Marathon Juneau, Alaska.. 43rd complete in the 49th! One of my top 10 marathons...Masters Champion too!

What a spectacular race! I was hesitant to leave home, I was enjoying summertime bliss, however if I had not ventured to the far north I would have missed one of the greatest adventures of my life! I hit a bit of luck on the flight out. They had cancelled a flight the night before to Anchorage and were asking people to give up their seat for a $400 voucher. I jumped on the deal and not only did I get the voucher, but I rode first class to boot! I arriving 4 hours earlier than expected because they routed me through Seattle to Juneau. WOW, what a lucky break! When I arrived in Alaska I had to wait for the rental car but was happy to receive a SUBARU LEGACY WITH BUMB WARMERS! Lucky me now I knew I would be warm at night. I went from 100 degree Utah to 50-60 degree Alaska....I drove around the historic city of Junea and was freaked out by how narrow and steep the streets were! SCARY to drive down them....After orienting myself I found the LDS church, and readied myself for my first night's sleep in Alaska! I realized at 11pm that this was the land of the all night sun! I couldn't go to sleep until midnight, and then it was light and I was up at 3am. During the night I heard noises in the stream where I was parked by....SCARY! I thought for sure it was a bear....So not a very restful night! I was up with the light and tried to force myself back to sleep. Not being very successful I got up and decided to take a look at the Mendenhall Glacier. I was the first one there and when I first saw the glacier it took my breath away it was so massive and beautiful! I just cried....I had never seen a glacier before! While I was there I walked around the visitors center and discovered a stream where chinook salmon were in abundance! This stream provided bear with easy food...as I witnessed Sunday morning! A bear jumped into the stream scaring me to death and caught a salmon with his teeth. I heard him crunching the bones while he hid in the bushes to eat. After eating the first salmon, he dove into the stream again and caught a 2nd! After crunching that salmon down he dove in one last time down stream for his 3rd salmon catch! I witnessed a most spectacular site! Anyway after viewing the glacier and talking to the forest ranger, I went into the visitors center to touch 250 million year old glacier ice! WOW!
The Juneau visitors center opted me with several choices. I decided to do indoors since it was raining! I went to the State Capitol Building, (an old high school converted into the state capitol) complete along Sarah Palin's picture hanging as a past governor. The guide talked about the history of Juneau and Alaska through pictures of the states predominant citizens. After listening to an organ recital that was played on an old Kimball pipe organ in the SOB (State Office Building), and watching parents, grandparents and children dancing around the alcove enjoying lunch and only taste of real music, I discovered the State Museum. A hat display was going on. The Tlingits (native american indian tribe) had every unique hats on display. Most looked liked woven tall chimneys. From the early age of the Tlingits, to the modern day hat was displayed. An old whaling bucket was unique as well as the eagle's nest and taxidermy of their native animals. The next stop the oldest Russian Orthodox church in Alaska. Very unique with beautiful lithographs of Christ. Saints pictures abound however walking through the pastor? fathers? house getting to the church was and adventure!
I had my usual pre-marathon aches and pains throughout the whole day. I was worried about the race! I picked up my marathon packet at 4, then decided to eat the last supper! I always worry about what to eat the day before the marathon. I just had my standard rice cakes and protein bars. The night before I also drank 6 coconut waters! I'm addicted to coconut water!
I found Douglas Island and Savviko park. I camped in the harbor overlooking the boats docked and cruise ships coming up the channel. This was a great place to sleep. In the evening the lights would come on inside the boats and it looked like a misty October (lighted pumpkin) harbor scene! BEAUTIFUL!
The next morning race day I was up to see Larry Macon and boys start at 5AM, a few more started at 6AM, but since I wanted to qualify for an award I waited until 7am. I dressed in regular running shorts, team BOM shirt, hat and running gear. I started slow, always I start slow. Everything checked out, no shin splints, achilles aches, but I still took it slow. Was the last 3 runners in the race. It was so beautiful I didn't want to run fast. I wanted to savor the beauty! The course was hilly, but I enjoyed it. It was out and back so I decided to get acquainted with the course before doing anything too stupid! I played the alphabet game going out, and then at 13.1 after running about 2:05, I decided I was being way to lazy. I enjoyed watching the eagles and waterfalls but knew I would be too bored if I didn't run faster. I played a game in my head. I thought I wonder if I can make a 1:50 on the way back? I took the first 10K at 50 minutes, the next 5K at 25 while passing many people. I hit the half marathoners and kept pace with an 8 minute runner and finished in 3:52 being the 1st place Masters Champion......EXCITING! I was able to hit a big negative split by 13 minutes! I was so excited especially seeing the sister missionaries at the end. I showed them Team BOM and they were so excited and then brought the INEW NVESTIGATOR RACE DIRECTOR to see my shirt and meet me. The elders were there as well helping with the lunch which was incredible! FRESH BAKED ALASKAN SALMON! The fix it up like a hamburger, they also had hamburgers, hotdogs, and a ton of snacks. WHAT A MEAL...This meal tied with the Cranberry Islands lobster bake at the end of the 50K last summer. I was excited to see that the Bishop, R.S. President, YW President and many other ward members ran the half marathon. A boy from Brigham City actually won the half marathon. What an exciting day for the missionaries and ward members. I met a friend afterward who ran the half marathon. Her name was Annette from Wisconsin. She was a previous nun now occupational therapist. She let me shower in her hotel, then we went and hiked the falls adjacent to Mendenhall Glacier, toured historic Juneau and attended a mass at her Catholic church. Later we went to Bullwinkles for pizza with the race director and friends.
The next morning I woke up early and went to Mendenhall Glacier again for a walk. That's when I discovered the bear! I hurried and changed into my sunday clothes picked Annette up and attended 3 hours of the Juneau 3rd ward....The sister missionaries were there and were so cute to Annette....Annette said our church service reminded her of the old Catholic ways. INTERESTING! Annette was very good about attending the block meetings and everyone was so cordial to her. A great experience! I then took her around the north area of Junea to the END of the road literally. We found a Catholic retreat called St. Therese....On the island was a catholic church, so we attended mass there instead of back in town. It was a very nice service. The island where the church was built on was GORGEOUS! Meditative and serene looking over the pacific ocean while contemplating the beauty of the world Heavenly Father has created for us to enjoy. We also toured the cities arboretum, beautiful plants abound at this free site. I then took Annette to shop at the cruise shops by the port in Junea before catching her flight out. I dropped her off since I don't shop on sunday. I then took her back to her car, she doesn't like to drive, and helped her find her way to the airport. What a nice woman, I'm glad I had the chance to meet her and share the gospel with her. We had some lively religious conversations. It was great to meet a woman who knew her scriptures and had a love for Christ and Heavenly Father. One interesting statement was made at church by the Elders quorum president....I was complaining about the rain, commenting I wish it would stop raining so we could do something outside. He turned around and said,"if you wait for it to stop raining in Juneau to do something, you'll never get anything done"! I took his advice and stopped complaining and had the best adventure of my life.
The next 4 days, through rain and sunshine I hiked every trail I could find. I discovered, skunk cabbage, moss, several species of mushroom, rain forest trees with roots that looked like caves, eagles, dropped feathers, blue jays, porcupine, otters, sea lions, alaskan jade, cabins, bear scat filled with salmon berries YUMMY!, waterfalls, mining caverns, gold, crystal clear rivers, capturing glacial ice and putting it in a walmart sack to save it and take home, vistas, never setting sun, clouds, rain and I enjoyed and soaked it all in! The trails I hiked East and West Glacier, Perserverance, Mt. Roberts, Cowie Creek, and Cowie Creek Meadow, Treadmill mine, and tried Herbert and Windfall but was kicked off by search and rescue workers trying to locate a body of a man who overdosed. Sad story! I also toured the fish hatchery, fun and informative, many park and recreation sites, while camping all the while at the harborin Savvok park on Douglas Island. Here is a fun letter I wrote the family....


Family and Friends,
With a heart full of mixed emotions I am leaving this beautiful land Alaska! 20 years younger I could have taken on this wilderness! These people are as tough as I. They don't use umbrellas, they wear chore boots and hats everywhere. They are always in survival mode, but they have to be this is a rough country. The last two days not much correspondence to you as I was hiking my literal guts out. I have dined on Salmon berries, salmon and coconut water, seen enough bear to consider them dogs, enjoyed the jumping of salmon trying to out swim the sea lion and hungry black bear, wiped my bottom on skunk cabbage, gathered black jade in jet ebony lily ponds that looked as if the valdez oil spill was a few miles away, soared with the eagles while gathering their plumage, made new friends....A baby porcupine this morning! He stopped and just stared at me, SO CUTE! My camera only got one shot of him since my battery was dead! Viewed an incredible glacier everyday while gathering sub zero glacial ice off the banks of Mendenhall lake, hiked Cowie Creek Meadow and River trail, East and West Glacier Trail, Perservence, Red Mine, Gold Run, Mendenhall Lake, Mt. Roberts and tried to do Herbert Glacier and Windfall Lake....A young man committed suicide on that trail and while I was hiking was kicked off by search and rescue dogs, helicopters etc. His name was Steve. He was a head nurse that drove a red toyota. I viewed his car, the contents in the car and his girl friend at the end of that hike! VERY SAD! Took me a few days to get over that! They found the body in the run off from Herbert....ANYWAY, next time I'm here, I will take the ice cave hike on West Glacier. Needed Crampons to do that, also Lemon Creek Trail looks interesting! 6 miles each way, need to take a friend on that one. Also Mt. Junea peak coming back on Granite trail through perserverence....I am not afraid of bears seen scat full of berries on all the hikes I took. I also embraced the Tlingit traditions. Very rich in native american history. The totem pole and masks are incredibly important here. As well as their hats. They are having a rough time in Juneau. Alcoholism and gambling are getting the young. I can't tell you about the restaurants because I just snacked the whole time. They have a Fred Meyer, Walmart, Costco and Safeway in the Valley. Also a McDonald's for free wi fi...Their shopping mall has a few shops but nothing much. The downtown area that the cruise ships own do all the business. The Red Dog Saloon, Wyatt Earps pistol still resides there looks good to stop and eat and also bullwinkles Pizza. The twisted Salmon also looked interesting. Rainbow Grocery was the only health food store, they were nice people even though they were all visibly gay. Most important was the Frozen Yogurt store....The girls quickly became my friend, since it has been too cold to sale any yogurt to the locals....The tram going to Mt. Roberts was fun especially meeting my Klinget Friend Steve selling Caribou leave ointment. I bought two cans of it. I can't believe it, it took all my pains away for hours. Best yet however it smells like Marijuana! YIKES! I asked him what was in it and he said it was a secret! Oh well I'm not smoking it! IT WORKS! I slept in my bum warming subaru outback in North Douglas harbor, Savvaka Park next to a porta potty overlooking the harbor....BEAUTIFUL and fun hearing the rain hit the top of the roof and windows while cuddled inside grandma Holley's wool blanket! It still smells like Grandma Holley! What a hotel. I showered in Auke Bay for $2.00. Had to share the shower with fellow male campers but it was a place to shower. AN ADVENTURE for sure! St. THerese shrine was where I caught my first glance at a sea lion. Fun! I could easily count this as my favorite state thus far even with the cool temps and rain. Like a man said in our ward I think he was the Elder's quorum president, If you wait for it to stop raining before you do anything, you won't get anything DONE! So with those words of advice I ran through this week Waking up at 4-5am and to bed 9-10pm, waking after the sun was up and sleeping before the sun went down. I'm worn out, but with many adventures! One fun thing was a used book store in the Valley. Books were 50-1.00 So fun to go through all the old books found a collection for the grandkids. See everyone soon. Love you all,
Susan

GRANDMA'S MARATHON Duluth MN. 42nd State

VALENTINE! NEBRASKA AND 41 STATES COMPLETE!

Valentine Nebraska helped me break into my final 10. I flew into Omaha did some initiatory and endowment work at the Winter Quarter Temple for Nicholas' ancestors...The northern part of Omaha is rather SCARY....Not the best part of town for sure, I was propositioned at the local McDonalds...I slept overnight at the Winter Quarters visitors center and then toured the visitors center. Sister Monson was the sister who took me through....Because of Omaha's rains and flooding caused by the Missouri River, I didn't go to Kanesville or Council Bluffs. The off ramps were covered with water....The second night I was there, the thunder storms were scary in my little Nissan Sentra....I went to the Durham union station museum where the pulitzer prize photos were on display...The graphic phots from th 40's to present distrubed my mind while I was trying to have peace in the temple...Very hard to view these photos....Anyway drove over to Valentine where I discovered the Niobrara river and the Sandhills of Nebraska...I went from black to white in only 2 hours...Camped out with 2 other LDS men one a nutrionalist for the FEED LOTS who is also a branch president, and his friend who was also an adult convert...Don and Ron. He was very kind even though he believes in FEED LOTS! STINKY! YUK! Free graze! The race was very enjoyable not like the last 3 I had run. I had energy and strength throughout, completing the marathon in 3:57. Fun things along the way....Bus almost hit into 2 deer. The busdriver slammed on the breaks throwing everyone out of their seats...Ran with Craig from Michigan...Very good man who has a wonderful family. Talked about the church...Larry Macon was there and will be in Duluth next week. There was a movable port a potty. A man drove a porta potty along the road we ran on which was called Brownlee...After attending church on Sunday found out the branch president from Oakley Utah and his wife live on that same road! There were no rattlesnakes and I didn't get into any Sandburrs. They had plenty of water gu and gatorade throughout the race...The shirts were good, the spur for finishing was fun, and the RD was nice....I wish they didn't have beer afterwards...I felt very uncomfortable with so much alcohol flowing freely.... I know they say its good carbs, but some of us don't enjoy that....Spend more money on the food afterwards...There were bananas, oranges, bagels and cookies so we didn't go hungry, but pretzels nuts or something salty would have been appreciated....The town of Valentine has many bars probably because there's not much to do....I floated down the Niobrara River which is a very docile river after the race with a family from Lincoln...It was fun at first, but then it turned cold and after 3 hours I wanted to be out of the river and off the tube....That night a terrible thunder and wind storm came through....Rocked my little sentra like crazy...Next morning walked the cowboy trail over the Niabrara River and then attended church with a cute little and I mean litle group of saints in Valentine at 10am...I met a very nice dentist and his family that just moved into town...Frank Patterson...Hope Jeff and Drea can help him build up the Mormon population in Valentine....He would love to have them....To close to the Sioux reservation and to many native americans drinking....A great little marathon which I give an 8. Course 10, Food 8, Friendly People 8, Organization and starting on time 6 = 8 I would recommend this race....

KENOSHA! WISCONSIN COMPLETE!

Champagne-Urbana ILLINOIS COMPLETE!

Naragansett. RHODE ISLAND April 2011

Faster qualifier than Boston....Windy, cold, but a fast course with fast runners. 3:44 Quads were tight and hurt at finish....Head wind from the Atlantic...Ran through all water stops! A fast group of runners, couldn't really enjoy the race...Loved the drive up from New York...Stayed with Christina Nicholas' sister...Wonderful hostess, but will not do yoga again before a marathon...It about did me in....I am totally out of shape! Will always remember the clams and linguini, roasted buckwheat, avocado and amino's for breakfast and getting lost in Manhattan! Was able to attend the temple in Manhattan...Loved that and central park...The met was also very enjoyable...As far as missionary work at the expo the night before, talked with a dutchman about the church and not running on Sunday. He talked to me about the demise of his native country because of lack of values...Interesting....Also others were involved with conversation about the sabbath and our church....Attended church in Queens...Wonderful ward...Loved the race even though I had to run SUPER FAST!

LBJ Grasslands Ultra 50 Mile Run

I can't say this was the smartest thing I ever did, in fact it was probably the most stupid thing I ever did. Since Andrew was coming home from his mission, and he would be coming into Dallas Fort Worth airport before heading to SLC, I decided to surprise him at before mentioned airport and ride with him to SLC thus getting him all to myself for 3 hours....I thought wouldn't it be great to find a marathon near this airport...I started looking and found the Lyndon B. Johnson Grasslands Ultra marathon. I thought how hard could 50 miles be? HA HA HA! After 11 hours of running in sand up to my ankle, I can tell you it was hard. Sand was everywhere....In my shoes and socks which made me have to take off my shoes and dump every 10 minutes the last 12 miles of the run...The food I was eating was sandy from the wind, and to top it off it was 85 degrees! Utah had been around 30 degrees, so a big change in temp which made it even more miserable...I fell at about mile 36. Henry a CPA from Oklahoma who was following me said it was the best swan dive he ever saw, he also said sorry but I can't help you up...He was pooped! Because of the sweat, after falling I looked like Lot's wife but covered in sand! My heel was bleeding, and my toes had blisters...Lost 2 toenails and the use of my legs at mile 40. I couldn't get them to work! Scared me to death...I couldn't will them to run. After eating about 2 pounds of fruit snacks at the next rest area, the legs decided to work again. That's when I realized how important sugar consumption was. I had gospel conversations with Henry as he helped me in....He heard about Mason and his melanoma, Andrew and his mission to Argentina, my testimony of the truthfulness of this church...In return he gave me some great advice on how to run ultra's. He was a God sent to me. I ran about 2 minutes to every 5 walked in the end miles, but came in 2nd place overall woman...First place woman beat me in by only 1 hour. I would have photo's of the sandy horse trails I ran, (the blue, yellow, white and red horseshoes) but I left my camera in the Enterprise Rent A Car, and of course they couldn't find it....I don't think I ever want to run this race again, but I'm glad I had the courage to finish....I was blessed indeed...Just a side note...Henry warned me the day after it would feel like it did after running my first marathon....He was right!!!! It took me 3 days to walk right again....It was a real strain on my body...Usually I have no pain after a marathon!
Extra notes about Decatur and surrounding area: Church is strong in Texas...Decatur ward incredible, temple staff dedicated and many attending, Fort Worth my favorite city because of the many museums...Will never forget the wings statue in the museum of Modern Art, I felt as if those wings wrapped around my entire car the night I found out Andrew had missed his flight and was coming home via Atlanta on Friday...Missed Andrew altogether....The Lord's helped me envision his love for me through these wings....The cowboy art was incredible but the run of the bulls was silly in downtown Fort Worth....

HILO TO VOLCANO ULTRA January 22, 2011

WOW, Hawaii's a dreamland...I could have stayed forever...The Temple, climate, food and kindness of the people what more could you ask for? After a lengthy 3 legged flight I arrived in a very warm and tropical environment with my thermal shirt and downed vest on...The security guards at the airport, just laughed as I immediately began shedding clothes...After finding my car, (I had to be driven by a sweet Hawaiian Girl to the enterprise car rental in Kona) I immediately went to the temple and did an endowment...I was so tired in this session, and then I realized that when I finished at 9:30PM, it was 12:30AM Utah time! I found a place to sleep by a local McDonald's and boy did I sleep...When I woke up the next morning I couldn't believe how beautiful everything was...I knew I had to get to Hilo, so I drove south to Hilo around the lower end of the island to Volcano...I was in amazement of the ocean, stopping to take pictures along my journey. I couldn't believe how blessed I was to be in Hawaii thinking of all my family at home.... I brought a suitcase full of food so I was good to go..When I arrived at Volcano I was surprised to learn that Mount Kilauea was an active volcano...They wouldn't let anyone hike to the volcano since it had just erupted on Monday taking out another house in it's path of lava flow...I did however hike under a lava tunnel in this subtropical rain forest...IT WAS INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL and interesting! I also went down south to see where the road had been destroyed and had stopped all travel on it due to the many eruptions that had taken place over the years. Hardened Lava covered the once used road. I walked about a mile on it marveling at the destruction a volcano can do...Not a typical site in Utah...I then went up north and took a guided tour with Eddie a native Hawaiian around the petroglyphs in the park. I was amazed at how religious the petroglyphs were, and how many...INCREDIBLE! A cute returned missionary that taught the gospel principles class in the Hilo ward said that their people came from Hagoth. He is the name of the explorer in the book of Nephi that went and took people into the isles of the sea...I don't know about this for fact, but I do know the Hawaiian people knew God, and they knew how important the family was.
I then went to HILO. The elevation loss was dramatic, then I realized that I was driving the marathon course backwards...I didn't like thinking that I would be running this 32 mile course tomorrow, ALL UPHILL!...I never like to study the course before I run...It makes me nervous and here I was driving it! I stopped at the Mauna Loa Macadamia plant to partake of some very fattening but yummy macadamia's. I didn't feel too guilty since I would be running an Ultra the next day, so I enjoyed the taste of each nut.... I checked in for the race and received my packet. I questioned the race director why he didn't run the race going down from the Volcano....All he said was you will thank me the next day for running uphill....Downhill is hard on your feet and legs.... It was a very simple check in, with no expo. I then got everything ready for the early start the next morning....6AM! After walking around Coconut Beach I settled down I slept pretty soundly anticipating the run the next morning... I was up at 4:30, and was dressed and ready to go by 5:30...The race started at Coconut Beach...A cute girl name Amy and her equally cute and nice boyfriend Keu, supported me on this race...NO ONE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A SELF SUPPORTED RACE...I was very grateful to KEU...He set aside peeled oranges for us every 2 miles along with granola bars, gel, sport drinks, and water...I thanked him at each stop, I was so grateful for his service. He would always say NO WORRIES! The race was dark to start, and we had to wait for traffic lights climbing out of the city which didn't help any of our times...There was a lot of traffic on the road and could have been hazardous if I hadn't worn reflective clothing. We, (Sally, Amy and I) were running three abreast with the traffic. I was grateful for everyone's prayers during this portion of the race. The conversation from the three of us kept our minds busy and aloof from the task at hand, running uphill 32 miles...It was so hot to start, around 70 degrees...The natives were cold, but I felt I was in a giant sauna....I had to shed my shirt at 6 miles since I was used to 20 degree runs in Utah. I told the girls I was LDS, and the story of how I began running...I told the about our church, and also about my Andrew serving a mission in Salta Argentina...They were interested...Amy had recently separated from her husband and had found a new love in Keu. Sally was happily married to the RD that makes a mean Tofu soup....YUMMY! It was served at the finish line. They were both mothers and loved living in Hawaii...After 1/2 marathon, Amy began to get busy and run faster up the hill...She was like a nanny goat...Sally fell behind and I kept pushing forward the best I was able...Since I was running slowly I noticed how beautiful it was, but I also noticed how much trash there was on the roadways...I hope the Hawaiian people will take better care of their natural resources by not littering...Their land is incredible, I hope they realize this! The run did not get easier, in fact negative thoughts kept bounding into my mind...I considered quitting at 26.2 saying I am only supposed to do a marathon in every state, but not an ultra...Through the faith I have in my brother Jesus Christ and through the knowledge that I know he loves me and wants me succeed at this goal and complete the race I was able to endure to the end... Every time I felt like stopping I found new strength in my Saviors love....I give all glory to my Heavenly Father who created me...For I do not boast in my own strength. I was never so excited to see the finish line...I FINISHED THE RACE!!!! I was awarded with a crocheted lei, and a medal at the finish....It was hand made by a local older Hawaiian runner...I can't remember her name, but she was so cute and kind.. The food was divine even though I wasn't very hungry...Keu had kept me well fed through the race...Home grown oranges, tangerines and mandarins abounded as well as bananas. The local running club had made many batches of soups and breads...It hit the spot ...I won the masters grand champion with a time of 5:25. The prize was a bag of coffee beans and a graphic print...The coffee beans I gave away, and the graphic print of a Hawaiian running I will frame...It is awesome...Larry Macon was at the end, and was flying out to run Maui the next day. He's incredible...After the race I caught a ride back to start...I rode with a macadamia nut farmer named Sheila. She told me not to buy any nuts from Mauna Loa since their nuts are shipped in from the Philippines. SAD! She also told me to go to a local farmers market in HILO which I did and had a blast...I couldn't believe the yummy fruit and vegetables they had...WOW! I could live here...The locals told me where to find a shower. I showered for free at a local fitness center, they were so nice, and went back to the farmers market to buy more strawberry papaya, apple bananas, liches, pineapple and coconut water...MMMMMM...I met a local painter that was also a runner and told her about the LDS church, and also a father selling produce with his family...In fact they were the ones that told me where to find the local LDS Church for services the next day...I found the church then went to rainbow falls and seen the incredible beauty that Heavenly Father and Jesus created for us. I met a darling woman making baskets out of palm leaves there...Her last name was WATSON...We started talking about our families that both came from England, she was half English and Hawaiian and then the gospel just came into it. I told her I was LDS and asked if she wanted to attend church with me...She said no...It was all good...I then took her picture...SHe said I am so not pretty, and I said Yes, you are! Don't you realize you are a child of GOD? She was so kind...I wish I would have bought a basket from her...The next morning I attended church and found many opportunities to strengthen others testimonies in Gospel Principles class and in Relief Society...Everyone was so kind...I loved the ward...After church I went to a botanical garden, and then AKAKA FALLS...After sleeping overnight in Waimea, Monday morning I hiked to the bottom of Waimea Valley where an incredible black sand beach lies. You have to hike straight down for a mile and then straight up on the return... On the way down, I had a cute Korean boy pick me up...He had a kayak on his truck, and as we were going down this steep hill the kayak slipped forward blocked the vision of this boy...He slammed on his brakes just before we went over the cliff! YIKES he quickly put on the emergency brake and pulled the kayak back on the truck...He was so kind and offered me water and iodine tablets for my hike ahead since I wasn't prepared...I hiked the kings trail, which was incredibly beautiful...I found huge oranges, bananas and cocoa growing wildly throughout the trail. A VERY HIKEABLE TRAIL...Getting out of the valley was very easy...I was asked if I wanted a ride by some other kind folks driving a 4-wheel drive... It was easy to say yes to them looking at the steep trail that loomed ahead...Monday turned out to be a great day...Tuesday I did some temple work for Nicholas' family he had sent to the temple...It was an enjoyable temple session. I then traversed the city of Kona and saw where the ironman started...MAYBE SOMEDAY? The swimming in the ocean part freaks me out..Wednesday I also attended the temple, and went over the pass to Hilo for some more farmers market fun...Thursday morning I got lost running and almost didn't make it to the temple. Only by the tender mercies of the Lord, I was able to hitch a ride back to the condo where the Thomas' so graciously let me stay at for three nights... The rescuer was a crazy chinese man that wore a neck brace and said the F word in every sentence...I thought thanks for the rescue but why with this man? After the temple I sat at the resort Clay and Janet are members of...The resort was very beautiful...I watched the whales, the ocean and the people...It was peaceful and calm...Hawaii is incredible, I knew I would miss this part of the world when I bid farewell to the Thomas's and left for the airport...It was a sad time for all her were leaving Hawaii on this 9:45PM airflight...No one wanted to leave especially when one had a three legged airflight home...I slept all the way to LAX, also to SEATTLE, but flying back to SLC I had a lively conversation with a cute 30 year old called NICHOLAS...GO FIGURE...NOW IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO WORK...SAY GOODBYE TO PARADISE....