One of the first things you learn when you move to Oahu is how the island is divided. Down the center of the island runs a mountain range (gotta love all that volcanic activity!). The north eastern side of the divide is the windward side, it gets all of the winds and moisture. The southwestern side (where we live) is the leeward side, not as cool and much drier. This becomes very apparent when you go from one side to another. I LOVE the windward side! It is so lush and green and every time I see it I feel like I am in Jurassic Park (because it was filmed here!)
This is the tunnel that cuts through the mountains, it is fairly new and is much easier than having to drive all the way around or over! And when you pop out of the tunnel this is what greets you:
The hills all have those distinct ridges due to erosion, all of the rain has carved the rock.
We were looking for someplace to snorkel over on the Marine Corps base at Kaneohe Bay but there wasn’t really anything suitable so we headed to Pyramid Rock Beach. It was a beautiful breezy day but the surf was really rough and we were advised by the lifeguard to stay shallow and keep our kids close.
Yes, I know it is all beach and ocean pictures all the time but seriously, this has been my life! We have spent a disgusting amount of time at the beach, but isn’t that what you are supposed to do when you live in Hawaii?
My gorgeous girl. This was the only picture I have where she isn’t posing like she’s trying out for America’s Next Top Model.
Oh this boy, he melts my heart.
Pyramid Rock, I wanted to go see if we could hike up the stairs but as you can see it’s REALLY far away and I am incredibly lazy. I bet the view from up there is great! 
Super crowded beach, I don’t know how we deal with the masses of people. Seriously though, I love going to beaches on base.
We also stalked a crab… cutest thing ever.
And the weirdo dog that was happy as hell to eat the leftover ice from the ice chest. Also please ignore my dirt back yard. My gardening stuff isn’t here yet, give me a couple of months and it will be beautiful!
Sink Or Swim 
I love it over there too!! If we have to stay (I can now say that without breaking out in hives and sobbing) I want to look into moving over to Kailua. Anyway, did you know there’s another beach on the Marine Corps Base? It’s protected, so it’s not rough or dangerous, but the beach is a little rocky. Of course, I don’t know what it’s called or how to get there…very helpful. Actually, I think it’s called Hale Koa, because I remember thinking that was dumb, to have two Hale Koas. Where you go straight to get to Pyramid Rock, you turn left against the runway and go all the way to this big parking lot and campground type place. It was nice, fantastic views.
We’ve only been to the Marine Corps Base a couple of times so I don’t know my way around it, we’ll have to explore some more and try to find another beach!
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