Hosmer's grove picnic

A great way to start the year with a picnic at Hosmer's grove. We headed up the mountain at 2:30pm. We emerged out of the could layer into a bright blue sky with the crater clear above us. Waved into the park on Dad's pass ("I know that's the only reason you bring me is to get in free... Not, it because you have the barbecue!")
Our parking spot right next to the covered picnic are waiting for us. We feel so lucky again. A little windex to the aluminum picnic table and it looks clean and new. A bright red checked table cloth makes it look cheerier. Bright red Iiwe flits in the nearby Mamane tree, acrobatically inverting himself as he inverts himself to get the nectar out of the small yellow flowers. Hunny and I venture off to the nature walk. They have been busy building a log fence to keep visitors on the trail.
We did not even put a jacket on.
We celebrated Dad's 87th birthday with hamburgers and potato salad. His dream cake was awaiting him at home. As we descended the mountain the sunset was spectacular.

Maui sunrises and Sunsets Nov and Dec

We have been having some amazing sunrises and sunsets. If you are up by 6:45 am you are in for a treat. If you are adventurous enough to get up to the top of Haleakala in the early morning the view is even more spectacular.
Sunset has been happening around 5:45pm.

LAVENDER FARM

On the road to Polipoli State park in upper Kula you find Alii Lavender farm. Eight acres of Lavender. I never knew there were so many different varieties. Over 20+ with names such as French and English Buena Vista. The friendly staff in the farm shop provided much information. I did not know you should consider Lavender as a plant for a rock garden. No watering unless the soil is completely dry, no fertilizing. It comes from mediteranian cliffs. They have no drip irrigation at this farm. Most lavender blooms June through August. Some cultivars bloom year round.

Ulupalakua picnic

What to do on a Sunday afternoon? we headed out for a picnic at Ulupalakua Ranch's winery. S short stop at Kula ace hardware to get propane for the grill and look at all the nice plants. Very nice lemon, orange and tangerine trees. Olive trees and fig trees in addition to many pretty flowers and vegetable plants. Then Up Pulehuiki to check the persimmons. Hashimoto Persimmon farm had trees laden with bright orange persimmons. Under their trees was a nice carpet of white clover. Their leaves are just starting to turn yellow and orange. As we passed Chings store everything changed from dry and brown to lush Green grass. Keokea and Ulupalakua were very green. Surprising for this time of the year. We found a picnic table and enjoyed sun tea, crackers with cheese and plums. The huge camphor tree and cook island pines were massive and old. A turkey sat on the top rail of the fence eyeing us to see if we were leaving any crumbs. On the way home we stopped by the pumpkin patch.

PUMPKINS

We stopped by the Kula pumpkin patch. What fun! Pumpkins of every size and color. From a muted corange to bright flourescent orange. Miniature horses, a corn maze and the produce stand.

Off to Lanai for work

What a great way to get to work!

Where has the year gone?

Lots of fun at the beach, hiking Iao and the crater. we have to be reminded to take time to enjoy the natural beauty of Maui. It seems we never do anything until friends come for a visit. "Beach? You mean there is a beach 15 minutes from my house?" Of course Hunny was along for all the adventures. She is not a water dog but was going in the ocean amazingly well. baby Beach and Kamaole 3.