The Hoffman Family In Hawaii

My next destination was to paradise.  February, 2009 my family an I ventured to the beautiful state of Hawaii. I had never see a tropical island before and the volcanos and black sand were a surprise.  The flight was long but once I looked down from the sky it was worth every hour of sitting in-between my two brothers.


We sent most of the vacation in Maui where we witnessed several different climates.  We spent most of the time in the tropical weather, but we saw the rainforest and even snow while at the peak of one of the extinct volcanos.  We also traveled to the Oahu and the Big Island.

First Time Seeing Black Sand

I saw lava pouring into the ocean, experienced hawaiian cuisine, and got pictures worth ten thousand words.  I walked in a lava tube from a volcano that helped create the Hawaiian Islands.  I got to go whale watch and snorkeling in Crescent Island and saw all different sea creatures. There was sharks swimming around me and even a giant sea turtle the same size as me swam under me.

In A Lava Tub

I saw wondrous things that pictures cannot do it justice.  This vacation was like none I ever had before.  I got to stand next to a blow hole in the earth.  Get splashed by a jumping Orca.  I got to swim with sharks and most importantly I spent it with my family.  The week I spent away from school and all the worries of seventh grade was the most relaxing time I ever had.

Hawaii is a place filled with so much culture and historical value.  I saw where Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and heard the stories of the people who lived through it and those who didn't.  The coral reefs were amazing and everything about the state of Hawaii was so wonderful I can't wait to visit again.

Life Lesson #5: The legacy of heroes lost to tragedies still impact people today.

The First Adventure!

As I steeped onto an airplane for the very first time my heart skipped a beat.  Excitement showed on my face as well as worry.  I was only four and this was the biggest moment in my life, my first adventure!  

As I walked down the path to my seat my  blonde curls bounced.  My parents sat around me to make sure I was comfortable.  I looked out the window in amazement as we took off.  My stomach slowly rose up to my chest.  I grabbed the arm rests to calm down.  My breathing slowed as I looked out the ovular window for the second time and saw the white puffy clouds I only dreamed of touching.  I was flying above the ground and I was completely free. 


Adventure started for me on my forth birthday as I moved from my home in Minnesota, the only place I knew, to a whole new world in Arizona. Arizona became my new home, and I traded my snow boots for tank-tops.  

Life in Arizona was peaceful and warmer then I was used to.  In the mornings the sun would rise from the East at the peak of one of the mountains that surrounded the valley I lived in.  My first move and first adventure occurred at age four and I haven't stopped since.