Playing Tourist

Or is it “staycation”? Whatever, turned out an epic day for The Mouse.

The Cat’s visitor is still here. She goes back home Sunday. It was her idea to visit Kualoa Ranch on the windward side. During World War II, there was a small air strip and a defensive bunker. Location has been used for several movies needing “greenery”. Jurassic Park and Godzilla to name a few.

We were supposed to take an ATV tour to some of the movie locations but at the last-minute, the friend got scared, The Cat and friend took an alternate bus tour while The Mouse was left to “carry on”. First time for an old mouse to experience an ATV.

Ready for the Apocalypse

After a jerky start, started to get the hang of it, and actually, while not totally comfortable on it, really enjoyed the adventure.

Godzilla Footprints

Close-up

Our guide said the “print” used to be deeper, but the cows (it is a “working” ranch) kept getting stuck in it.

“Lost” Location

“Lost” Submarine Prop

“Jurassic Tree”

The trunk used to be bigger, a Japanese film crew needed firewood and of all the trees in the area, cut that one (faceplant).

Fresh Mac Nuts

My opinion, the fresh, raw mac nuts taste better than the roasted.

Kissing Gorilla Rock

It you squint, you might be able to make out two gorillas, facing each other, about to kiss. The consensus was the rock on the left looked more like a baboon, Rafiki came to mind.

The cattle on the ranch is grass-fed, hormone/antibiotic/steroid free. I was going to try a Kualoa beef burger at their cafeteria, but The Cat had other plans.

Stopped in Haleiwa for late lunch. Still had burger on the mind.

The Mouse’s Burger

The Friend’s Crabmeat and Avocado Salad

The Cat’s Grilled Mahi Plate

No comment on the food or service. Next time I’m in the area, I going for the Kualoa beef burger.

Still a fun day, The Mouse got to imagine himself in a Mad Max movie, a zombie fighter, or an alligator hunter. Ah the dreams of Walter Mitty. 🙂

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse