Puna, HI
August 2007

Tootle Pip

Hosted by Tony

Next: Welcome to P"ortland"

What a whirlwind couple weeks it's been showing RG, and for that matter, Tiki Jr. around East Hawaii.

It was quite the Hawaii experience and we wanted to get RG a shirt that said:
- I survived Hurricane Flossie
- A 5.3 Earthquake centered just about where Tony lives
- A Tsunami Alert after the Peru quake
- Extreme heat & humidity
- Green Harvest Helicopters flying around above us
- And the fire department thinking Tony was burning trash on his property.

He wasn't and isn't stupid enough to start an open fire in the midst of a forest. Some of his neighbors on the other hand...Duh!

When we awoke this morning RG was no where to be found. We sent the dogs out searching for him and found him peeking from under a Hapu'u fern with a contemplative look on his face.

Tiki Jr. asked him what was up. He calmly stated that some things had come up back at the office he needed to attend to. He just wanted to spend the day relaxing before he went back to his day job.

We all decided a walk in the forest would be a great way to spend his last day with us. It was very quiet with the exception of the native birds twittering in the Ohia trees.

RG had become very fond of all of the beautiful tropical plants and flowers so abundantly growing in Hawaii. He couldn't wait to get back and have a look at all the plants he had sent back home from the plant show on Travelocity's tab...hehehe.

We came upon some fragrant ginger growing on the side of the road. It is beautiful but can be invasive. This is one of many varieties.

I felt a presence as RG stopped to look at the flowers growing everywhere. Alani, which means orange, had been following us as we roamed around. Quite a handsome feline.

RG seemed very content and very quiet as we roamed. After some time he turned to us and said "Let's do this again sometime." To which I replied: "Anytime my friend! We still have West Hawaii to check out."

Later that day he was picked up by a limo on the street outside Tony's place. We said our fond farewells and waived goodbye. RG actually took his hand out of pocket and waved back with a smile.

As the limo was pulling away the driver rolled down the window and said "Tootle Pip". It was very odd, he was a rather chubby fellow wearing a hat similar to RG.

They peeled off with the driver maniacally yelling "Tootle Pip" and laughing.

Tiki Jr. commented that he had actually noticed that guy at several locations we had visited. I hope RG makes it back to Texas...

Thank you Travelocity for fulfilling one of Bud & I's goals. I won't mention names cause you already know who you are. I look forward to your comments as well.

Though everything didn't go as planned, I really enjoyed roaming with RG. You are right...he is a rock star!

Travelocity: You'll Never Roam Alone!

Rather than go on and on here I have written a couple pages worth of thoughts on the whole experience here for anyone that might care to read it. Roaming Gnome Reflections

Aloha! And thank you to every one that participated!