Adventures in Boulder and Beyond

Finally, after nearly a month in Hawaii, I've started this thing up. After rejuvenating during my first 6 day weekend, I have enough time and things to post in order to get started.

The "weekend" started well with a 36 mile ride including 4500 feet of elevation gain up Waimea Canyon road to the Kalaulau lookout shown below.

Don't worry, I already know it's not about the destination, it's about the journey - that's why there are "little" diversions along the way (in the form of 800' Waipo'o falls).

Still had enough energy to hang out with our friends (and drink plenty of beer) for a party before the wedding this weekend.

Saturday was pretty tame, but Emily and I watched a movie on the new home theater equipment, which was quite enjoyable

Sunday was our friends' wedding at the Hyatt in Poipu. Outdoor wedding overlooking Poipu beach, sunny, breezy and beautiful with the bride and groom in bare feet. The reception at Kalaheo cafe, right down the street from our house, was equally as fine. Most excellent reception food...ever!

Tuesday we headed to Koke'e state park and took a 4x4 trail to Sugi grove, a primitive campsite. We hiked along Kawaikoi stream trail for a few miles. Off and on misty, rain through the afternoon and evening; nothing soaking, so we could get a fire going and enjoy the cool weather at 4000'. Overall, a spectacular evening.

Not having had enough hiking after only a few miles, I planned (with Em's hesitant permission, of course) a pre-dawn, solo hike to Kilohana lookout along the Pihea and Alaka'i Swamp trail in hopes of getting a glimpse at the sunrise. After 4 dark, lonely miles through forest and swamp with only a headlamp as company, I got a beautiful glimpse of...clouds and mist. I knew this was a distinct possibility, so I waited out the clouds in the chilly, misty air at the overlook, completely alone for about 45 minutes. During that time I was treated to about 7 minutes of sunshine, but did manage to snap a decent picture.

If you were paying attention before, you saw that the hike goes through the Alaka'i Swamp, which is the highest swamp on earth. Thankfully, they've built a walkway through the really nasty parts. Ah, the swamp at 7 AM, have you ever seen anything more beautiful? Very unusual, but probably not my favorite part of the island. What do you expect when you live near the rainiest spot on earth.

After returning safely from the 8 mile hike by 9 AM (!), we ate lunch at Koke'e lodge and headed home to clean up the camping mess. Back to work tomorrow - 2 whole days before the weekend!