Loved the tour. The pictures are simply stunning, Talk about living in Paradise.

Everything is so lush and beautiful. I was surprised to learn of the shallow topsoil. Must have been a real challenge to get used to that. You have such a wide variety of plants. Just lovely!

Carol.. a lovely tour... Thanks ... great pictures... and a setting and plantings to be proud of ...
there's plenty to keep busy with there... if just keeping the underbrush from taking over...
I've always loved all your plant pictures and growth tips.. and to get an ovrall view is quite special...
it sure is on the short list of places to move to... and 12 acres is plenty to develop..
you've all the zones but # 2 there... amazing... sounds just like my rooftop.. only there it goes up to 165 * F
I've never been to Hawaii.. reason being that you'd have to be some kind of nut to get back on that plane and leave... " I've had enough beauty in paradise... I'm going home " " No ..no more fresh OJ/ pineapples ... no heavenly fragrant evening breezes.. I'm getting out of here "
so I know if I ever make it there...they'll end up planting me also..
I'M READY FOR THE BOOK LENGTH VERSION OF THE TOUR...
The guide to relocating to and developing ones own paradise in Hawaii ..
off to my real estate sites.. I'm sure that will cure that urge.. or inflame it

Thanks!!!

Gordon...you are too funny!!! Actually, there IS no reason in this world to leave here...except that I miss visiting friends and family...being able to sit outdoors with no mosquitos (didn't mention them in the article!!!) and cheaper red wine!!!

If any of you do come to Hawaii...come visit!!!!

Carol, WOW! What an amazing lifestyle and "garden" you have! Everything is gorgeous. We had a time share near you and I love Hawaii! Thanks for showing us your beautiful spaces.

You are most welcome!!!! Where did you have your Timeshare?

I can't recall the name...on a golf course, 15 minutes from the ocean! West side of the big island...maybe my brain will kick in and I will remember later. We sold it in 2003.

Right...you were in Kona area...about a 3 hour drive from us on the other side. For me it's an adventure to go to that other side with the white sand beaches ... I go about every 3 months, combining it with a trip to Costco. Everything very upscale....

What a beautiful place!

I went to Hawaii twice in the 70s. I was in my 20s then, so went only to Oahu, took a 1 day trip to Maui. All I cared about then was beach and waves, and, of course, bars at night. I'd love to see your island some day. If flying weren't so awful now, we would have been back many times. Though the flights are LONG from Ohio, flying was fun then- open bars, everybody partying on the flight. It's not much fun to fly anymore, in fact I'd rather do anything than fly now. And it costs an arm and a leg.

Karen

I hear you Karen!!! I detest flying....it brings out the worst in people!!! In 3 weeks I am going to NZ and I dread the 9+hour flight!!!

Carol, that's right. We were north of Kailua and really close to the white sands beach....the most amazing beach I have ever experienced. So clean! Over the years we spent most of our vacation time in Maui and almost moved there in '83. We were concerned about the school situation for our son so stayed put in Phoenix. We bought the time share in '99 but I would not own a time share again. I like all of the islands: they all have so much to offer. One of my best friends husbands sister lives in Hilo and she usually goes once a year.

I do miss the green!

Aloha, Carol! I really love your garden! Thanks for sharing the lovely pics. What a joy to have so many acres to play with.
Hawaii is heavenly! I was there many years ago and stayed in Honolulu, saw where ousted President Marco's home was and scuba dived in the crystal clear waters. Enjoyed the breeze and the delectable smell of pineapple at a motel right across from beautiful Waikiki Beach and shopping at the International Market. I love travelling and would love to visit Hawaii again and relive my dream some day!
I also visited New Zealand and enjoyed tremendously the tour in South Island where we visited a local sheep shearing factory and a kiwi fruit farm. Sheepskin clothing is half the price of that sold in the North Island which we later found out after having already bought some.

I wish I had known Hawaii many years ago...especially Oahu/Honolulu. I stay with friends in Kaaawa (on the NE Coast) when I go there...and I don't think it has changed much in all the years (40) they have lived there...and Oahu is the most densely populated city in the USA....can you imagine that? More people per square foot! But they stillhave lovely gardens and places to visit.

One of the things I love about NZ is that it is still so civilized!!! Cloth napkins always! and a clean public bathroom in every town! YES!!!!!