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#4 26 Sept. (Tues) 10 pm Darling - Henry and I have just returned from an altogether delightful day which obliterated the feeling of depression I had yesterday (missing you, and not feeling up to this deal at all) and also the tension of the past week or two - just gave me a nice, whole, relaxed feeling Henry and his brother (John May, a lieutenant - awfully nice guy) and I all had the day off and went for a hike in the hills, on little winding trails which followed the tops of ridges and led to sport of incomparable beauty from which we could see far in every direction, getting a superb view of this part of the island. Much of the vegetation was strange - fern trees, flowering eucalyptus (you can see these in California), hibiscus, and hundreds of varieties of flowers I've never seen before. I think you'll like this place even more than I do, especially when there's less bustling activity than there is now - brilliant [ships?] and beautiful coloring everywhere. Somehow Hawaii is not as I’d thought of it, whatever vague impression I may have had; but I'm at a loss to describe in what ways it differs from my impression and I guess perhaps it's just that I hadn't thought too much about it. You have to discount all the gush you hear and come with the unspoiled taste of a quiet naturalist, and then you can really appreciate it. I'll skip over the day quickly in order to get on [pg 2] to personal items you'll be interested in - We probably didn't walk and climb more than 4 or 5 miles, taking our time doing it and stopping at some lovely spot along the trail for a sandwich and swigs at a cool can of pineapple juice (10¢ [?]) which I opened with my pipe fixer; once back on the road we put on our shirts and ties and thumbed a ride to Honolulu for my first visit there, but just going thru to Waikiki Beach. Dressing at a modern duplex (tastefully furnished, cool and bright, with rush mat rugs) belonging to friends of Johnny's, Fred and [Nell?] Thomas - both are in OPA, having met and married here - we went for a swim in the ocean (which is just the right temperature) and came back for beer with Rochefort cheese on crackers and a dinner of “island chicken” (meaning chicken actually grown on the island and not in cans - a rare find around here). I could tell you so much in detail about all this but just haven't time now - I'm writing at a table in Henry's room opposite him as he writes to Jan - because I want to tell you other things and also get to bed soon. Tomorrow will be a full day and we'll probably get down to work. Fran left here about a month ago for just the kind of duty he didn't want for several reasons - and Henry says he took it [pg 3] superbly. Apparently Hilda is really devoted to him; she has a good chance of being stationed out here and they had planned to be married whenever she came. I don't know what Fran's doing, but it's important, responsible and very secret. Henry says that he's grown up a great deal since he came here. I'm so sorry to have missed him. Today I saw Dick Ryckoff, [Sza?], Al Karr, and a number of others whom you would recognize but don't know by name - they all had many questions to ask. Henry is rooming with Tom [M?]. Hedge has been out for some time; Hugh was here for a couple of days on his way through awhile ago and was a great stimulus to Henry, who thinks (as I do) that Hugh was the outstanding man at Boulder. It's getting on to midnight. Henry and I have both digressed frequently to talk principally about two things - Hugh, and our respective wives. It is good to talk to him and to listen to him - awfully good for me. I'll write another letter on that subject before long Goodnight, Sweetie - I love you dearly Warren Give Wendy a kiss and a hug for me.
