Family Reunion at Willard Bay

Camping Out

I had never really heard of Willard Bay, so I did not have any expectations when told it was the locale for our Kongaika Family Reunion. Not being a fan of camping out, my husband had arranged for us to stay in a Motel 6 nearby. Actually, sleeping in a tent might have been better.

The next generation (our children) had planned the reunion this year. Things were a bit late, but overall it was a success. We enjoyed spending time together with our cousins and learning more about our family history. The mountains nearby were breathtaking and although it was a bit hot, and the mosquitoes joined in, we made the best of it.

The campsite was pretty compact and included picnic tables, BBQ pits, restrooms and some water hookups. Each family took their turn preparing meals. We tried to eat the kind of meals that our ancestors had eaten in Tonga. The youngest generation aren’t that used to it, but we had plenty of snacks to fill in the gaps.

We were supposed to have a Family Home Evening, but because of the lateness and darkness, we decided to have a Family Home Morning the next day. We played a game of trying to see who could memorize the name of some of our chosen ancestors and what they were known for. The teenagers were really into it and did very well.

Afterward, we headed for the reservoir which is located twelve miles northwest of Ogden, Utah. It is part of the flood plains of the Great Salt Lake. There is a man made dike with a natural shoreline. Actually the dike is named after a former U.S. Senator from Utah, Arthur V. Watkins. The reservoir is fed by the Weber and Ogden rivers. 

Near the water was a pavilion, perfect for making our dinner and hanging out. The children ran down to the water and mud (not quite sand). They were not shy, and the mothers were busy counting heads. There are two marinas near the campgrounds. Our daring children had rented a boat, water crafts and some blow up floatees

As one of the grandmothers, I tried to let the parents look after their kids, but got a bit worried when a few of the young ones thought they could float over to a small island in the middle of the reservoir (one floatee and five children)! They actually made it, without my watching.

The food was great and the weather very cooperative until right after the boat left with a mother and a bunch of kids. A big wind kicked up and became so strong all of a sudden. There was thunder and lightening and as I went to take a bite of my food, my paper plate and dinner flew out of my hand together with several other family members.

I became very worried about the boat with some of my grandchildren in it. Quite some time later, they made it back with quite a story to tell. 

Thank you to all who planned and prepared for this reunion. I am getting to be one of the older ones, so I pretty much sit and watch and wait to be fed (sorry). If you are looking for a fine place for a family reunion, look up the Willard Bay State Park in Utah.

http://hubpages.com/holidays/Family-Reunion-at-Willard-Bay 

Kayaking in Hawaii

Recently our family went to a sand bar in Kaneohe Bay about a half hour from our home. It was a beautiful sunny day with trade winds blowing.

The children were so excited as we boarded the double hull boat with an outboard motor.
I had heard about the sand bar, but it was my first time actually going there. When the tide is low, you can see the sand, but when the tide is high, it disappears.

We were lucky enough to see a few turtles swimming by our boat on our way to the sand bar.
The water was so blue and the surroundings in the Kaneohe Bay never cease to amaze me.
When we arrived at the sand bar, there were several other boats already anchored there, and people had set up some tents. One family was actually having a barbecue.

It was amazing to see so much sand knowing it was just out in the middle of the bay. No roads here! No restaurants, bathrooms, or other amenities. Only sand and sea.

Not to worry. My son had rented a kayak and snorkeling gear. We had brought along our own food in an ice chest, and knew it would only be a couple of hours before the tide would come in. So, we set about making use of our limited time.

I went for a walk with the grandchildren on the white sandy beach. We saw many interesting marine life wandering around in the shallow water and sand.

You could see little holes where the crabs were hiding and we found a few shells.

I had heard there were hammerhead sharks in the waters around the sand bar, and that was enough to keep me on the sand instead of in the water.

The sand bar is around three miles long and one mile wide, so even if you can't see the whole thing, it is pretty large. Of course there are no shade trees, so we had to lather on the sunscreen, and wear our sunglasses.

The fun really began when the kayak was put in the water. Each of my grandchildren had their turn and even their mother who does not swim. Since it was my son that was the chaperone taking each person for a ride, he got a great workout.

I had a good walk around the amazing sand bar and mostly relaxed. What a perfect day to be with family.

There are parties held at the sand bar a couple times of year. Some even bring bands out on the boat and have dances.

Kaneohe Bay does not have long white sand stretches and crystal clear water that make so many of the Hawaii beaches like Waikiki so popular. Instead, it possesses a combination of unique factors that make it one of the most studied coral reef systems in the world!

Kaneohe Bay's waters are sheltered by a barrier reef. Swells generated by the islands' predominant trade winds create perfect conditions for the growth and formation of numerous patch reefs and fringe reefs (over forty)throughout the bay.

If you view the bay from a higher vantage point… like the Pali Lookout, or coming out of the windward-bound H-3 tunnels, you will see a spectrum of color caused by the varying depths and bottom formations of different areas within the bay.

You can see hues of ivory, teal, light and dark blue, and even brown depicting the different bottom conditions and water depths of each of the bay's different areas.

You can kayak, snorkel, paddle surf and swim almost year round in Hawaii, especially in Kaneohe Bay.

As for our day at the sand bar, it was an experience I shall not soon forget.

http://elayne001.hubpages.com/hub/Kayaking-in-Hawaii#