Red Rocks of Sedona

While I love traveling the seven continents, I am always in awe at the incredible scenery we have right here in the United States. Here are a few photos of the red rocks surrounding Sedona, Arizona.

Final Morning Walk in Hawaii

On my final morning I took a walk up the ridge of the crater that cradles Hanauma Bay.  On one side of the ridge there is a view of the back of Diamondhead on the other side of the ridge is Hanauma Bay.  Great walk.

While on my walk I was able to think about how lucky I am to have SO many great friends....this was not a "stay in the hotel and lay on the beach" trip.  It was a time of visiting with close friends and enjoying their hospitality.  It was also a week to reflect on the loss of two friends who passed away while I was gone. 

To the Beal/Peck and Hattingh families, I send my thoughts and prayers as I return home. 

Aloha Hawaii...until next time.

USC vs. University of Hawaii

The day of the big game.  Everyone expected USC to dominate the game but the Warriors gave the Trojans a lot of trouble.  In the end, however, USC was victorious.

Prior to the game we had a tailgate.  There is not a lot of grass near Aloha Stadium so we had to settle for the parking lot.  We found a nice shady tree and had a great meal. 

As we entered the game a huge rainbow was overhead.  It was a great day.

USC Rally in Waikiki

In the top photo you can see the view from the place where I'm staying. It looks at the backside of Diamondhead.

 Also pictured are some photos of the USC rally the night before the USC/University of Hawaii game. The rally was held at the Royal Hawaiian on the beach of Waikiki.

One photo is taken with my friend Sandy and another with Pat Haden...quarterback when I was at USC and now the athletic director.

Arrival on Oahu

While it was tough to say farewell to Kauai, I didn't head home from there.  I headed to Oahu for a few days.  I was greeted at the airport by my great friend, Sandy.  We went to lunch in Waikiki.  Here is a photo we took at lunch that day.  My great trip to the islands continued.

Private Kauai Resort

These are three photos taken on my friend's property near Kilauea, Kauai. Through my agency you can rent this property. It is on ten acres which have, among other things, a private lake, a three-bedroom home a one-hole golf course and acres of native plants.


For those with larger groups, nearby cottages can also be rented. The Kilauea beaches that I have shown in other entries of this trip are nearby and the owners can let renters know where each of them are. Please contact us at findacruisedeal.com for more information.

St. Regis Princeville

My third and fourth nights were spent at the luxurious St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kauai. A few photos of this property are shown here. I book a lot of Hawaii trips through findacruisedeal.com so it is good for me to stay in various resorts so I can provide feedback and advice for my clients. Let me know if I can help you with a Hawaii or other land-based vacation!

Princeville and Kilauea

The top photo shows one of the great sunsets from my resort in Princeville. The person pictured with me in another photo is a fraternity brother (go Beta!) from USC. He graduated before me but I have since gotten to know him through alumni events. He gave me a tour of some of the beaches in the Kilauea area of Kauai. Most beaches are hidden so only locals know about them. Incredible places to go and get away from the crowds. Steve owns a 10-acre property which I will show in other posts.

Great time with friends

On my way between Lawai and my next stop I stopped and had lunch in Kapaa with some very long-time friends from junior high and high school. The top photo shows these two friends. The restaurant owner was also a graduate of our alma mater, Redondo Union High School so he too is shown in our photo.


While on my way to my next stop, Princeville, I called my friend Don who lives on Maui, just to tell him that I was in "the islands". Don called me back to tell me that he and his family were renting a house for the week...where? Princeville! So I got together with he and his wife and their four daughters for a feast. Don also took me the next day for my first time at stand up paddling.


I had a great time with Don, Donna, their family and their friends.  More great Hawaiian hospitality.

Farewell to a close friend

Day three of my trip began with some sad news. My lifelong friend, Jan Beal DeAugustine Peck lost her long battle with cancer. She handled her illness with more courage than anyone I've known. I was a bit bummed to not be in town for her service as I have known her since I was a toddler.


She and her husband Russ were about to leave on an Alaska cruise. I was so hoping she would get to achieve this goal before she went to be with the Lord, but it was not meant to be.

My thoughts and prayers are with Russ, Jan's daughters, Teri, Craig, Kenny and other family members during this tough time.


I took this flower, tossed it into the sea and wished for it to land on the shores of Alaska. Needless to say this is not likely, but it was my way of saying farewell to a close and great friend.

Kauai Day One and Two Continued

Pictured are three of my clients, who have become friends, who are going on my upcoming Tahiti cruise. One of the ladies pictured was my host for the first two days of my trip in Kauai. Regretfully I did not get a photo with her other half, Jeff, who was also my host for the first two days.


Their home is incredible. Pictured here is their pool and the guest house in which I stayed. I am grateful for them as clients, as friends and for their great hospitality while I was in Kauai.

Arrival in Kauai

I arrived in Kauai. My first two nights were spent in the town of Lawai where I stayed with two of my clients from findacruisedeal.com. They have since become friends of mine. Here are a few shots of their property.