Last Thursday I mountain biked one of the hunting roads in Koke'e. Thankfully, I remembered my camera this time (including the battery). Excellent riding surface hauling down Kahelu ridge road to a few pretty nice views into Makaha valley and Polihale beach (the longest beach in the state of HI).
Also,I had views of the Makaha Ridge Navy communication station from this side and more to follow from the opposite side.
After what seemed like a very long crawl up to the top although it was "only" an hour of uphill riding, I did a little 4x4 driving to explore some more of the park. Shortly thereafter, I found myself in Colorado...at least it looked like Colorado. I'm still amazed by diversity of environments that I find on this tiny island.
I came upon an excellent, remote picnic are with views to Ni'ihau that would be perfect for watching the sunset.
Next the roads took me to Milioli'i ridge road which I drove down and I was greeted by some 4-wheelin' fun. The access gate was unexpectedly unlocked, so I drove to the end of the road. Some of the terrain was moderately difficult requiring low-range 4-wheel driving. The termination of the road presents you with winds whipping in all directions and red dirt swirling everywhere.
Milioli'i beach on the Na Pali coast below
Views of the Navy station to the left
and the Nualolo ridge to the right. This jaunt was supposed to be only a mountain bike ride, but turned into a 6 hour excursion. But really, could you resist?
Friday night we celebrated Chelsae's 30th birthday with drinks and dinner and drinks. At least that was the plan until nearly the entire island was without power for 3 hours. Things like this happen here. As a result, the middle part (dinner) got cut from the evening.
Drinks + Dinner + Drinks = Fun
Fun - Dinner = Trouble
...and trouble most certainly did follow.
Some highlights:
Shots, Shots, Shots!
Joe in his underwear on the deck
Mike walking throught the screen door...twice
4/8 people puking before the night would end (Em and I survived)
Joe using the Shop Vac on the hardwood floors...and couch...and coffee table from Chelsae's "performance"- you get the idea.
I came upon an excellent, remote picnic are with views to Ni'ihau that would be perfect for watching the sunset.Next the roads took me to Milioli'i ridge road which I drove down and I was greeted by some 4-wheelin' fun. The access gate was unexpectedly unlocked, so I drove to the end of the road. Some of the terrain was moderately difficult requiring low-range 4-wheel driving. The termination of the road presents you with winds whipping in all directions and red dirt swirling everywhere.
Milioli'i beach on the Na Pali coast below
Views of the Navy station to the left
and the Nualolo ridge to the right. This jaunt was supposed to be only a mountain bike ride, but turned into a 6 hour excursion. But really, could you resist?Friday night we celebrated Chelsae's 30th birthday with drinks and dinner and drinks. At least that was the plan until nearly the entire island was without power for 3 hours. Things like this happen here. As a result, the middle part (dinner) got cut from the evening.
Drinks + Dinner + Drinks = Fun
Fun - Dinner = Trouble
...and trouble most certainly did follow.
Some highlights:
Shots, Shots, Shots!
Joe in his underwear on the deck
Mike walking throught the screen door...twice
4/8 people puking before the night would end (Em and I survived)
Joe using the Shop Vac on the hardwood floors...and couch...and coffee table from Chelsae's "performance"- you get the idea.
Pictures will follow as soon as Joe gets them to me.
The next day was miserable with all participants, but the pregnant lady, entirely debilitated.
Em and I did go to "our" private beach to watch the waves and turtles and catch a little sun. There were some nice curling 8 footers that were crashing on the cliffs - waves, not turtles. Then on to Kapa'a on the east side for some Mexican food and to check out the organic/natural grocery store. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they carried some truly excellent beers that I had previously thought were unavailable on the island. Bison and Butte Creek -reasonable prices too.
Sunday we made our weekly trip to the cafe for breakfast and then onward to Koke'e to explore the Mohihi-Wai'ale trail. This trail takes you deep into the old growth wilderness of Koke'e. Em did quite well with the hike and we were treated to some nice views into Koaie Canyon.
At about two miles, the trail became overrun with ferns which we pushed our way through until Em had donated about a pint of blood to the ferns with their scratchy branches.
The trip back was even more scenic with a view to an amazing waterfall that we hadn't seen on the way in. As far as I can tell, this 500 footer is unnamed, but it a tributary to Koaie Stream. Well worth the hike up until the ferns, but next time I'm taking a machete.
On the way out, I made a quick jaunt to the Po'omau Lookout trail. Not bad for a quarter mile hike.
I know everyone's sick of pictures of Kauai, Em and me, but be patient; the elder Michael Dreyer and family will be visiting next week and then we'll probably shoot over to Maui for a couple days. Funny, most people talk about a trip to Maui as the vacation of a lifetime, but we get to do it for a long weekend. If that doesn't pique your interest, then wait for Colorado pictures coming after my trip there in late October. If that doesn't interest you, then don't come back.
The next day was miserable with all participants, but the pregnant lady, entirely debilitated.
Em and I did go to "our" private beach to watch the waves and turtles and catch a little sun. There were some nice curling 8 footers that were crashing on the cliffs - waves, not turtles. Then on to Kapa'a on the east side for some Mexican food and to check out the organic/natural grocery store. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they carried some truly excellent beers that I had previously thought were unavailable on the island. Bison and Butte Creek -reasonable prices too.
Sunday we made our weekly trip to the cafe for breakfast and then onward to Koke'e to explore the Mohihi-Wai'ale trail. This trail takes you deep into the old growth wilderness of Koke'e. Em did quite well with the hike and we were treated to some nice views into Koaie Canyon.
At about two miles, the trail became overrun with ferns which we pushed our way through until Em had donated about a pint of blood to the ferns with their scratchy branches.
The trip back was even more scenic with a view to an amazing waterfall that we hadn't seen on the way in. As far as I can tell, this 500 footer is unnamed, but it a tributary to Koaie Stream. Well worth the hike up until the ferns, but next time I'm taking a machete.
On the way out, I made a quick jaunt to the Po'omau Lookout trail. Not bad for a quarter mile hike.
I know everyone's sick of pictures of Kauai, Em and me, but be patient; the elder Michael Dreyer and family will be visiting next week and then we'll probably shoot over to Maui for a couple days. Funny, most people talk about a trip to Maui as the vacation of a lifetime, but we get to do it for a long weekend. If that doesn't pique your interest, then wait for Colorado pictures coming after my trip there in late October. If that doesn't interest you, then don't come back.
1 comment:
The picture of the ocean at the top of this entry was beautiful!! It is almost comparable to what we saw in Mexico(without the little Mexicans, of course!!)
Laura
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