Does that look a tad close?  Well, it was practically over my head and the engines so loud it could have been glass shattering.  Believe me, it was a lot closer than the picture depicts! So, where am I?  Actually in a housing area called, "Fort Kamehameha," located on the far eastern end of Hickam Air Force Base.  And this baby wasn't the only one!

Another commercial airliner right above me!

Also a fighter jet, the A-10 Thunderbolt (Warthog).  How do I know?  My husband used to fly it, that's why!

I had planned to walk much further than the 3.46 miles, but, you can see that my route has an abundance of XXX's on it.  There are lots of construction projects related to the Hawaii Air National Guard.  I think that they'll be hiring!

These Officer homes were built in 1916 in the Craftsman style.  It was finally vacated in 2008, due to it's location near the runway of the Honolulu International Airport.  Almost 100 years old, the quality used to construct these edifices are evident by it's structural soundness.

This flagpole was the epicenter of Fort Kamehameha.  Housing on the west side, barracks and other facilities on the east.  Originally part of King Kamehameha I property, Queen Emma had a beachfront estate located on the west side.  The U.S. Federal Government acquired the land by condemnation from Emma's estate and was called, "Fort Upton."  The locals protested and Archibald Cleghorn (Princess Kaiulani's dad) renamed it "Fort Kamehameha."

These signs blockaded my journey today, but, I hope that the Hawaii Air National Guard will benefit with all the improvements.

The last remaining of the Batteries, Battery Hawthorne.  Another Battery, Battery Closson is where the Mamala Bay Golf Course is now located.  Coastal artillery proved inadequate after the December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.  Air battle caused the demise of these weaponry.  Fort Kamehameha was traded for Wheeler Airfield and became part of Hickam Air Force Base property in 1991.

Built in 1940, this Chapel doesn't look used now, even though there is quite a few air-conditioning units protruding from the windows!  Anyway, I think that one more day of walking should complete the Hickam Base trek and then on to new areas.  I'm still very glad that I have come to know this base so well, and I feel very enlightened! Till tomorrow, aloha!(Bye!)

The drive around this flagpole encircles the Atterbury Memorial Park.  Called the "Circle of Honor," its to honor all Airmen past and present.  The flagpole is the original 75 foot pole when the bombing of Pearl Harbor took place. One hundred eighty-nine deaths occurred at Hickam field. (What the base was called at the time.)

Still "plugging"away(punny, HaHa!) at Hickam AFB.  My journey consisted of 4.20 miles, with the week total of 19.66 miles and the grand total of 222.94 miles since starting.  Though still not finished with this base, I can see that it won't be too much longer since unmarked streets are becoming few.

I was wondering why the cars were slowing down around this area and realized the exercising women gathered under the shade of trees were capturing the men's attention.  Good thing there wasn't any accidents!  The women were blissfully unaware of the reaction they were causing.

Guess what this Avenue is called?  If you guessed, "Hanger Ave.," you are absolutely correct!  Most of my route saddled this road and taking pictures of "Hangers" would bore you to tears, so, this will be the only one!

Sometimes when I walk around, I suspect things.  Like this pathway, I suspect that this used to be a thru road.  Can you see it?  There is a street on one side and a street on the other side.  Does anybody know what this used to look like?  This is between the BX and the BXtra.

Peek-a-boo!  My husband knew I was walking nearby, so he opened his work window and said, "Hello!"  It was the best part of my walk!  Hope you have sweet surprises this weekend, until Monday, Aloha!(bye!)

I saw this near the AMC terminal on Hickam AFB.  You must be a member and its a car-sharing program.  If you need a car for only a few hours, WeCar could fit your bill.  They charge $10/hr, $65/daily and $40/overnight.  An interesting concept, I would love to do this if I were visiting Molokai or Maui for just a day.  Rental car agencies don't cut you any slack!

And what is an AMC terminal anyway?  Well, if you aren't military or retired military, you're out of luck.  A perk for military members if you aren't pressed for time when you travel, the cost is nominal and you can go practically anywhere in the world.  Forget the creature comforts, but, commercial airline travel is not that great either anymore!(Unless you are going first class!)

Yup, still circumnavigating Hickam AFB trying to get this area finished!  Even though I raced through 5.24 miles today, completion is taunting me!

The most perfect crown I've seen on a "Bird of Paradise!"  Enjoy its glory!

If you are wondering why I haven't posted a picture of the bus until now, there is a good reason!  They go by so fast, by the time I fumble with my camera, ready to take the shot, they are long gone!  Just per chance today, I had the camera at the ready, so "Voila!"  The bus driver waved too!  By the way, the new terminus (end) location for the bus driver and the passengers are horrid.  Out in the open, far from a water fountain and a bathroom, somebody has to at least put a shelter by the stop!

Told by a reliable source, these circular contrails are probably tankers refueling jets as RimPac exercises are still in full swing here in Hawaii.  Double click to see the details!

"The Walking Hawaiian" has made a discovery today!  The rich, green carpet of grass gracing the sidewalk on the right side is just that...CARPET!  What I mean is that it's AstroTurf, fake stuff!  I wondered how the grass could be clipped so close without it getting burned, then I reached down to touch it and I could pick up a whole area of turf!  Imagine my guffawed surprise! 

Talking about fake stuff, check out the purple flowers!  A painted plaque with no care directions necessary.  Saves on water too!

Not only did I love the joyful colors, but, the straps for the rubber slippers were in relief of the flag making it 3-dimensional!  Please slip into comfortable foot attire and relax for the rest of the day!  Aloha no!(Love, indeed!)

Lacking space for your garden?  Use a door hanging shoe rack!  All you apartment dwellers take heed!  Hint*  Buy a DARK or BROWN colored shoe rack, since a white one will look very dirty in no time at all!

Back to Hickam AFB again. I was accompanied by my other daughter (tag team) on today's jaunt, and feeling very lucky indeed!  Still working on the numbered streets, 4.66 miles completed the last of them.  Although Hickam is not complete, I'm winnowing down the unexplored areas.

An interesting way to mark the borders of your property!  Much better than a fence and shadier too!

Definitely, not a happy Tiki face.  Similar to a barking dog, don't you think?  Nice and quiet though, but, still intimidating!

Here is the other end of the pedestrian walkway that overlooks the main entranceway to Hickam AFB.  One day, I'm just going to use it because its there.  I hope that the paths you take will lead you to new and exciting things!  E malama pono!(Take good care!)

Hmmm!  Wonder what this is?  Yes, the one and only "Diamond Head!"  Talk about change of pace!  I did the traditional walking route of most locals, I walked around Kapiolani Park.  I had business in town, so, I thought that a walk around the park would be fun!  Accompanied by my daughter today, it made my trek so much nicer!

Beautiful trees and a nicely paved sidewalk, 2.50 miles went by in a breeze.  An interesting history, please read the plaque I passed by!

Double click this picture to read!  Very illuminating!

"The Walking Hawaiian" doing what she does best...walking!  This banyan tree graces the path and was fun to walk under its protective branches.

As my daughter pondered over jumping in the fountain or not, I reminisced about practicing parallel parking along this street, swimming, boogie boarding and surfing in this area.

Known as the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, it's the largest salt water pool in the United States and was built in 1927 as a memorial to WWI men and women war veterans.  Closed, but still standing, its still in contention either to destroy it entirely, restore it completely or just leave the entranceway, destroy the rest and make it another beach.

Next to the Natatorium is the Waikiki Aquarium, another long-standing edifice still visited by many. First opened in 1904, it's the third oldest Aquarium in the United States.

The "Kapiolani Park Bandstand" has changed a lot since its beginnings, and is undergoing another renovation as we speak! The "Royal Hawaiian Band" performs here every Sunday at 2:00pm.

How could I not include the "Waikiki Shell!"  It still holds many concerts today, but, if you just want to listen, put a blanket down in the park and relax and enjoy the FREE entertainment!  Hope you are enjoying your day!  Aloha awakea!(Good morning!)

They are not monkeys, folks!  Using a strap and spikes on their shoes, they clambered very tall coconut trees to cut aged branches and the growing coconuts.  Impressed, as I figure my ancestors did this without the spikes, I'm in awe at these guy's bravery.  I was getting dizzy just looking at them!

After all this time, I can't believe that I can still find varieties of Hibiscus that I haven't encountered before.  I could spend the rest of my life painting the dazzling cornucopia of this beautiful flower.  I now know why the Hibiscus is the state flower.

Today's journey was about numbers mostly, starting from 7th street to 15th street.  I have walked  many days in Hickam and adding 3.10 miles still haven't completed it.  I guess I thought it wouldn't take so long.  A rough estimate would be 3 more walking days.  I feel more a part of this base now since I've been walking it, with auras emanating in certain areas.  Yeah, Donna sounds loopy now!  HaHa!  Well, you do what I do and see if it doesn't happen to you!

For example, these two pictures are across the street from each other.  One side feels displaced, chaotic, confused, (due to construction) the other side is peace, serenity, and calm.  Can you see it?

No, this is not another King Kamehameha statue!  Found facing the Hickam tower and in front of Hickam Elementary School, it's called, "Ascend to the heavens."  Showing the potential of children to soar high with education as their wings, I feel its an appropriate representation for the kids.

With the sun beating down on me, do you think I would like to swim?  You betcha!  I was tempted not once(above ground), but twice, as my route passed by two pools on the base.

This tiny tree, the African tulip tree, can grow to 70 feet.  With lots of room to grow and healthy flowers already, a good beginning that I can watch and see what will become of it.  Hoping for good beginnings for you and yours in this journey of life!  A Hui Hou!(Until we meet again!)