The warm Hawaiian sun began peeking through the window of the bungalow, softly caressing the bodies and faces of both Bette and Tina. The lightly scented ocean breeze filled the room as Bette began to stir slightly. Tina was already a wake and propped herself up on her elbow as she gazed at the woman that she loved. She couldnt help but smile as Bette furrowed her eyebrows a little before smiling in her sleep. Tina could have stayed their for ever, just gazing at the angel that lay next to her, but there was so much that they wanted to see and do before they headed off toward their next island destination, that Tina decided to wake sleeping beauty so that they could start their day.

Bette honey. Wake up.
Mrpmgphl.
Baby, wake uptime to start the day.
Mrpmghpl.5 more minutes.
Babe.come on.

Tina reached out and gently shook Bette until her eyes fluttered open, taking in the goddess like image glowing in the morning sun.

Mmmmmmm I must have died and gone to heaven, because I see an angel in front of my eyes.
Hahaha.morning babe. You know sometimes you are just too much.

Tina leaned over and kissed Bette lightly and lovingly on the lips.

I love you.
Mmmmmm I love you too.
Are you ready to start the day babe.
Oh am I ever!

Bette quickly grabbed hold of Tina and flipped her on to her side, and straddled her with one swift and fluid motion. Tina giggled, trying her best to buck Bette off of her.

Baby!
What? you asked if I was ready to start the dayand let me tell youIm up, ready and willing!
Bettecome on. There will be lots of time for that later. Dont you want to take in the sights? How often are we going to be able to vacation in paradise?
Oh I hate it when you are right. All right, lets gobut later Kennard, later.
Im betting on that Porter.

Bette and Tina got through their morning ritual and got dressed quickly, eager to start a fun filled day cruising around in the sun. Before heading out, they ordered up some room service and ate out on the lanai, looking out at the deep blue sea and talking excitedly about all the things that they should see and do during the day. They finished up breakfast, gathered up their things and headed out for a day of fun in the sun.

As usual Bette drove with Tina sitting in the passenger seat besides her radiating with happiness. The top of the convertible was down as they headed up north, toward a place called Kohala. The cool ocean breezes quickly turned a bit cooler the farther north they got. The lush tropical greenery had the pair stopping at every possible lookout on the way, taking pictures and standing in complete awe of such natural beauty. Streams flowed on the side of the two-lane highway, and soon they began to pass vast expanses of pastureland filled with cows, sheep horses, and goats.

Gawd babeisnt this beautiful?
It sure is.I cant believe that this is all tucked away here, hidden from the world.
Well not that hidden babesee I was doing some research
Uh huhdid a lot of that I seedid you get any work done in these past few months, or were you just busy researching every possible aspect of the Hawaiian Islands?
Funny Porterjust like you I was working, but I still managed to get in some research.books, travel guides and the internetthere is always information in some form that fits the free time that I have.
Well okay professor Kennard, please continue on with what you were going to say earlier.
Well I was just going to say that after we take a look at WaiWaipio lookout, we are going to back track and head over to Parker Ranch, the largest privately owned ranch in the USA.
What?! Youve got to be pulling my leg T. How can an island have a larger ranch than the mid west?
Well I think that the clue is in the privately owned part of the statementyeah seems a bit far fetched to me too, but it will be a cool place to see. I cant wait. But first off to the look outhowever you pronounce itthe view is supposed to be spectacular.

Bette laid her hand on Tinas thigh, turned to look at her and smiled at the woman that she was going to spend the rest of her life with. They drove the rest of the way to the lookout, soaking up the sun and admiring the sights around them. Mauna Kea and its observatories could be seen off in the distance, looming over the lush green ranch lands.

Upon reaching the lookout, Bette parked the car, as Tina beamed excitedly, she had heard so much about the view here, and even the concierge had told them that one could stay here and stare out at the view for hours. They made their way over the lookout and were blown away by what they saw. The sea cliffs met the ocean on opposing sides of the valley below, framing the black sand beach. Further into the valley, the lush green of taro patches and farm land could be seen while off to the right, the blue expanse of the ocean stretched for miles, seemingly meshing with the sky, creating a wonderful blue canvas that colored the world.

(gasping) Baby, look at this place! Isnt it beautiful?

Tina beamed and smiled like a child in a candy store, as her eyes were treated to a delicacy that they had never been privy to before. She scanned the horizon, and the valley and beaches below, in awe of the beautiful medley that nature had created.

The women stayed there for what seemed like an eternity, both revealing in the beauty of Hawaii, and both lost in the love that they had for one another.

Tinas stomach began to rumble a little and Bette decided to ask one of the locals nearby where they should go for some lunch.

Excuse me sir, do you know of any good eateries nearby?
Eatery? What dat?
Ummmmmm, somewhere that my wife and I could go to have lunch.
Why? Who yo wife? Dat lady ova deya? Man you guys are wicked! Some wicked wahine I tell you.
Excuse me?
Oh sistah, no worry nothing bad. I jus mean dat you guys are some fine looking ladies, das all.
Why thank you. Now about those eateries?
Oh yeahbrah you guys should go grine at Tex Drive In. Dey get the best malasadas and make one mean Portagee soup!

Bette looked at the young local gentlemen with a dumbfounded look on her face as she tried her best to make out the local lingo, pidgin. After a few minutes, she understood the directions well enough to be able to make her way over to the suggested destination, and she and Tina were off in their convertible heading toward Honokaa.

At the drive in they ordered the foods that the local man had suggested and couldnt believe that such seemingly simple food could bring such joy to their mouths. They ate, talked and laughed, thoroughly enjoying each others company before heading off back to Kamuela for a tour of Parker Ranch.

Once at Parker Ranch, the two women took a tour, learning more about the history of the ranch and also the Paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboys, and their long history. Bette and Tina were thoroughly enjoying themselves as they watched a rodeo competition, got to shear some sheep and also did a bit of horseback riding at the ranch. They busied themselves doing as much as they could, and also did a bit of souvenir shopping for themselves and their friends back home.

Isnt this just adorable Bette? I think Shane would look absolutely hot in this hat? Should we get it for her?
Hey let me try that on, Ive always wanted a cowboy hat.

Bette placed the hat that Tina was holding on top of her head and turned to face Tina.

Welllooks good babebut maybe we can find you something else that is more you.
Are you saying that I look ridiculous?
Well.
Thanks T.
Hey just trying to be honest.

They women laughed and finished up their shopping. It was about mid afternoon when they packed up their car with their goodies and headed toward their next destination.

How long will it take to get their T?
Ummmmm.a little over an hour I think.
But were on an island T. How can it take that long to get there?
Well we are on the Big Islandhahahaha.
Cute T, cute. Okay so how do we get there?
Well it says here that we take Saddle road, then we turn off on another road before heading up to the observatory.
Saddle road huh?
Yeah it connects the east and west sides of the island, and is supposed to be a really beautiful drive.

As the drove toward the Mauna Kea visitors center, the crisp mountain air blew across their faces, giving them a cool relief from the warm Hawaiian sun. The drive was filled with trees and landscapes that could be found nowhere else in the world, and they were even able to see some of the local game grazing along the roadways. Wild turkeys, deer, and goat greeted them at every turn of the winding Saddle road, and dark green trees and tropical plants added to the already idealistic views that their eyes were treated to.

T? Are you getting cold? We could put the top up.
Mmmmmm, its okay. The air feels good, and the fresh air..
Okay, well do it when we get to the visitors center.

The air began to grow thinner and a bit chillier as they neared the top of the mountain. Elevation signs let them know just how high they were and it amazed them how the landscaped changed at each new level that they reached. They finally reached the visitors center, parked and headed for the warmth of the indoors.

Wow babe, take a look at this. Says here that we are now standing on the tallest mountain in the worldmeasured from the bottom of the sea. Isnt that neat?
Yeah, it sure is.

An older woman approached them, obviously one of the workers from the visitors center.

Aloha. Welcome to the Mauna Kea visitors center. Is this your first time here?
Yes it is.
Well then feel free to look around, and ask any questions that you may have. We are going to have a short video presentation that starts in about 15 minutes.
Thank you.

Bette and Tina milled around the visitors center. The looked at all the photographs taken from the powerful telescopes located on the top of the mountain, as well as a few pictures of locals having fun in the snow.

Hey babe! Check this out! Seem the locals know how to have a good time in the snow over here. Is that a fast food restaurant tray?
Hahahahalooks like it. Hey look at this cute picture of the girl building a snow man.
Gawd babe, the people here are just so great! Warm, caring and thoroughly enjoying life with out the hustle and bustle. Sometimes I wish that we could experience a simpler and happier life.
I think we all wish that T. But thats why visiting here, and getting to know the people and the Aloha spirit is so wonderful.
Excuse me, ladies.the video is about to start. Will you be joining us?

Bette and Tina made their way into the small theater room, and were joined by a pair of elderly couples as well as a couple that looked to be on their honeymoon.

Ahhhh, young love.

Settling in to a pair of back row seats, Bette placed her arm around Tinas shoulders as the video began. The video was packed with information and footage about the Mauna Kea observatory and the powerful telescopes that astronomers and scientists used to view the heavens.

Baby, I cant wait to be able to see that. I mean Hawaii already ahs way more stars visible in the sky than I have ever seen, but imagine looking out into spacemust be beautiful.
Well well be able to take a look real soon babefirst, lets look around the gift shop. Then we can head up toward the observatories and take in the sunset before we go in and look at the stars.
Sounds like a plan.

Both women put on jackets as they left the visitors center to ward of the cold of the brisk mountain air. It was a good thing that Tina had suggested bringing jackets along with them or they would have been freezing! The concierge had even told both Bette and Tina that even in the summer time, that water could freeze atop the mountain. Heeding his warning, they wrapped up like burritos, jumped into the car and headed the rest of the way up the mountain and to the observatory.

It was almost 6:00pm when they reached the parking area of the observatory and the sky had already begun to turn different shades of red, accentuated by the white clouds that drifted pass on the jet stream breezes. Tina had gotten out her camera and was busy snapping away pictures as she had been doing all day, trying to capture the true beauty of Hawaii with each and every shot that she took.

As the sun sunk lower and lower into the horizon, the red and orange hues of the sky blended perfectly with the deep blue of the Pacific, just as perfectly as Bette and Tinas bodies meshed together when Bette wrapped her arms around the waist of the woman she loved. They stood atop the mountain, oblivious to the cold, speaking not a word as they watched the sun fall out of sight, and as the sky above darkened, stars began appearing before their eyes.

Mmmmmm, T as mush as I would love to stay out here with you all night.its getting a bit nippy out here, and we should get inside so that we can view the stars through the telescope.

Bette ushered Tina into one of the observatories that dotted the mountaintop. Thankfully it was heated, the warm air in the building helping to ease their frozen muscles. A bearded man soon came out to greet them. He was an older fellow with the look of a scientist on a mission to solve the mysteries of the universe.

Ms. Porter and Ms. Kennard I presume?
Yes.
Hi, my name is Dr. Stanley Overton, but you can call me Stan.
Very nice to meet you Stan.
Yes very nice to meet you Stan.
Well well well, when Peggy called asking if I could take some friends of hers on a tour as a favor to her, she never said that I would be in the company of such gorgeous women. I was expecting some stuck up rich folk, not polite, caring, and beautiful people like you.
Well thank you, we are flattered. So how do you know Peggy anyway?
Oh we go way back. We met in college, I had a huge crush on her, but stayed silent. We became great friends and have kept in touch over the years.

The trio continued to chat as Stan lead them through the observatory, explaining how everything worked and what it was used for. It was clear to both Bette and Tina that this man really loved his work.

After a short tour, Stan lead them in take a look at the heavens through the telescope. What they saw blew them away, seeing the actual stars and planets for themselves left them speechless. Pictures did the universe no justice when it came to capturing the beauty and uniqueness of each heavenly body. Bette and Tina stargazed for what seemed like hours, taking in every moment that they could of this unique experience.

As the hour grew later, they realized that it would be a long drive back to the hotel grounds, and being out all day had left them tired. They said they goodbyes and thank yous to Stan and everyone else in the observatory that night, and made a mental note to send Peggy a bouquet of flowers to express their gratitude for the strings she pulled, so that they could get this chance to see the stars up close.

As they stepped out in to the chilly night air, they stopped for a few minutes and looked into the skies at the very stars that they had just viewed through the telescope. The sky was now a midnight blue, and with no city lights to drown out their light, the women felt as if they were floating in the darkness, surrounded by little flashes of light. A few falling stars streaked across the sky, and Bette and Tina silently wished upon each one.

They made their way back toward the Kona coast, picking up take out on the way. They ate, showered and talked about all that they had done and seen that day. Exhausted from their day out, they lay in the plush king size bed and wrapped each other in their arms. They couldnt wait for tomorrow to come, so that they could experience more of this wonderful tropical paradise, called Hawaii. And after drifting off to sleep, nothing but sunshine and love filled their dreams, as smiles appeared across their faces, ready for the next days adventures.



TBC