Teagan and Declan: Oahu, Hawaii Trip - Day 12: North and East shore drive

Day 12 was our last full day on the island. We were looking for an activity that wasn't too crazy - I think we were all worn down from a long vacation and so much activity. We decided to take a drive along the North and East shores of the island, stopping at a restaurant on the North shore for a plate lunch and stopping in Kailua on the East shore for a shave ice treat. It was an overcast day but that didn't spoil the fun. Our first stop was a quick one - we wanted one more try at getting a few family photos. We jumped out quick and Chris snapped a few for us. Teagan wasn't especially cooperative and the wind was blowing our hair around, but at least we did get a few keepers.

Just down the beach were the sea turtles I had seen before so we

stopped again quick so Matt, T, and Chris could see

Dec and Uncle Chris

Such gentle giants

Our next stop was for plate lunches. We loved Rainbow Drive-in so much we just had to have another plate lunch before we left. The place Chris found online was Ted's Bakery. We ordered our food and although we had to wait a bit, there was a nice picnic area in the shade where the girls could run around while we waited. I randomly picked off the menu - shoyu chicken (plus rice and mac salad). Chris told me it was like a soy sauce based marinade. My plate came and I was surprised to see three chicken pieces with bones. I was expecting boneless - getting chicken off the bone while holding a 10m old and trying to feed him is a little more than I wanted. But my disappointment was short lived because the chicken was so tender it practically fell off the bone. It was so delicious and after trying it I didn't regret it for one minute. That is, until I tried Chris's teri beef (teriyaki) - wow - it was so delicious. I should have gotten a combo plate of shoyu chicken and teri beef!

Waiting for lunch

Shoyu chicken plates for Matt and I (burger and fries for Teagan)

After our bellies were full of plate lunch we got back in the car and continued along the North coast. It was nice to see a part of the island we hadn't yet explored. Teagan and Declan fell asleep so we enjoyed a quiet ride just taking in the scenery. I was able to call my best friend Kristen for a few minutes as we drove and congratulate her on the birth of her second daughter just that morning. We stopped quickly for a view of Chinaman's Hat, which is just a rock formation off the coast. It was very overcast at this point, and we saw the lush, green mountains towering up into the low clouds and fog.

Chinaman's Hat beneath dark skies

Can you spot the cell phone tower?

The next stop was our last and a nice treat after our drive. We stopped at Island Snow in Kailua for shave ice. Teagan had awoken from her nap and Declan was awake as well. We thought all was well. But Teagan had a major meltdown in line. First it started that she didn't want the "juice" on hers (even though it was the cotton candy flavor she had asked for). The tantrum led to her dropping her shave ice on the floor and spilling some of it. Then she cried because she wanted a new one, although she still had plenty of the original left. We finally got her outside and she just wasn't happy - I guess that's what we get for treating her to shave ice? Eventually she got over it and both kids enjoyed some shave ice. I got two flavors - pineapple and raspberry. Matt wanted root beer flavor. Fun fact - President Obama even took his girls to Island Snow on one of his visits to Oahu.