50

Sitting here on the balcony of my hotel in Honolulu awaiting the sunset; its 5:30pm HT, but 6 hours later at home.  This time difference is tough and I have spent most of the day today feeling exhausted.   I think the travel, time difference, and all of the sight-seeing over the last few days has finally caught up to me.  So today, I was happy to get settled into my hotel where I will be spending the rest of my week here.  It was a much needed day of rest.

As many of you know, yesterday was a big day for me.  October 5th was Imke's birthday and yesterday was the first one in 15 years without her.  I did not want the day to go by without finding a way to celebrate her life, and so I made plans months ago that it would be the day that I would reach my goal of visiting all 50 State Capitols. 

Lots of planning went into this day because I wanted everything to work out perfectly.  I made my Imke on a stick, I safely packed away some of her ashes in my suitcase, and I made a plea on Social Media hoping to find at least one GSP lover in Hawaii who would be willing to join me at the Capitol, so that I could complete my journey the way I started it...with dogs.

Early yesterday I left the North Shore to meander my way toward Honolulu.  I got drenched at the Waimea Valley to see the Waimea Falls.  I was the first visitor of the day to get there!

In addition to the falls, there was a beautiful botanical garden and I really enjoyed all of the flowers.

The rain continued as I got back to my car to head into central Oahu for a visit to the Dole Plantation. As I reached the plantation, the rain stopped and I as able to get out and enjoy it and start to dry off a bit!

While the plantation is mainly just a big tourist trap with tons of vendors selling all sorts of pineapple-themed items, it was interesting to wander around the garden and see how pineapple grow and learn about how they are harvested.

At the end of my walk around, I had to stop for a Dole Whip.  Basically it's just pineapple flavored soft serve.  I got mine with fresh pineapple.   It was pretty tasty, and as I sat there eating it, all I could think was how much Imke would have enjoyed it too.  She was always a fan of ice cream and loved pineapple...and I would have had plenty to share with all of the girls!  It seemed an appropriate treat for her Birthday. 

I left the plantation and continued my journey toward Honolulu.   I had to be at the Capitol by 1pm to meet Karyn, who had graciously agreed to join me with her dogs on the Capitol grounds.  I wanted to be sure to arrive early so that I could walk around like I had on all my other Capitol visits, and I wanted some time alone there with my girl.

As I pulled off the highway and drove toward the building, the tears began to flow because we had made it...and after all of my planning and thinking about the day, it was actually here.

I found a parking spot and with Imke's ashes in hand, I began to walk around.  I saw all of the places I would have had the girls pose...in front of the King Kamehameha Statue, in front of the Royal Palace, under some really cool trees...and then I arrived at the building.  I walked around checking out the war memorials and snapping a few pictures of the Capitol, and I will admit it seemed strange to be there and not attached to a dog on a leash!

I had reached the front of the building and at this point I paused, pulled the ashes out of my purse and had a moment with my girl as I spread some ashes there in front of those palm trees.  We had finished, we made it.

After pulling myself together and wiping away the tears, I walked across the street to get one picture of the whole building, like I had done 49 times before, but this time there is no adorable little silhouette of a dog waiting patiently for me to get that picture, but I know she's there in spirit.

Soon Karyn arrived with Lacy and Tonka and I was so excited to pet their velvety ears and kiss those soft heads and soak up all of the love those little brown spotty dogs would give me.  It was amazing.   

We were also joined by Em, who recently lost her GSP, but wanted to support me on what she knew would be a difficult day.  So after chatting a bit, it was time for the final picture...me, Lacy, Tonka, my Imke and Maddie on a stick, and most important of all, Imke's ashes.  And with that, I had finished...I reached my goal of travelling to all 50 states with a GSP, with Imke, by the age of 50. 

After my pictures alone, Karyn and Em joined me for a couple of pictures too. 

We sat awhile talking and getting to know each other better and I have an invite to join Karyn and her dogs for a hike, at the dog park, or at the beach while I am here this week.  I may need to take her up on one or more of those because I'm missing my girls terribly! 

As we walked away, my journey complete,  it hit me...there is no State Capitol I haven't visited!  Holy cow...what will I do now?!?  Karyn and Em's suggestion,  get a puppy and start again...but bring the puppy to Hawaii with me.  Not sure I could do this again, but I do know I have two silly girls at home ready to follow me wherever I choose to go.  And we've got 95 Michigan State Parks to visit still! Oh, and I've got a book to finish...

I will be forever grateful to Karyn for allowing me to share Lacy and Tonka for the day.  It was the perfect way to end my journey and I know Imke was with us too. 

We did it!