Wednesday, November 26, 2008

SPECTACULAR HALEAKALA




OMG - Haleakala crater is so spectacular. With the recent front dissipating and the sky appearing to clear we headed up to the Halemau trail head at the 8,000 foot mark on Haleakala.


We began hiking at 11am. Our destination was Holua Cabin at 3.9 miles down the switchback trail. After 20 minutes of hiking the crater unfolded before us. It was a spectacularly clear day! What a view. 2 hours to the cabin, rest and eat some lunch. Trek through the lava tube and begin our afternoon ascent. Yes! Only an hour and 45 minutes to hike out and I wasn't winded!


Where are the Waterfalls?


It had rained over 2 inches the day before. With more rain in the forecast and a light drizzle we headed toward Hana on a dark drizzly day. Over each narrow bridge we looked for raging streams only to find they were barely running. Wispy clouds hung in the valleys. Bright orange flowers adorned the side of the road. Keanae was peaceful with a steely grey sky and a stormy looking ocean. We never found our waterfall!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Maui No Ka Oi


La Peruse



Spent the last few days touring Maui. Kauhakaloa on the narrow, skinny, scary road. Checking the surf at DT Flemming and Honolua Bay. The blow hole at Nakalele was spouting off.Then Hiking out at La Peruse. Saw a mongoose out there with a 6 inch centipede it was carrying around. Body surfing at Polo beach. The water was great!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Grand Canyon and Prescott Dels


Desert View - East Grand Canyon & Prescott Del's

Carole's first time to the Grand canyon. The Eastern Desert View was most impressive. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and over a mile deep. Up to 18 miles wide and 2 billion years old. The next day Jim took us hiking on the Peavine trail through the "Dels" in Prescott. These rounded granite rocks are 1.5 billion years old. Wow!
I loved watching the Ravens dance on the thermals. Fold their wings and dive. Then soar upward with out a flap of their wings.





Kamaoli Beach Park III


South swell! Grab your boogie board and head to the beach

Hookipa SURF




The national weather service predicts 12-18 foot waves. They were right! It was mesmerizing!


What a great day in November on Maui. The windsurfers were not to happy: waves and no wind!

IAO VALLEY - IMAX in real time


Spectacular Iao Valley: You just can't fit the whole view in. This is 1/4 of the view. IMAX in real time. We have hiked beyond the barrier which says "Don't go" We are on a ridge in the middle of this old caldera. Sheer cliff and a streams flowing on either side. Quickly we are in the bracken ferns waist high with Ohia Lehua tree's on the edge of the trail.