Adventures with Erv

Big Erv and I managed to get out on our own for a few sweet hikes while he was on island. The first was the Po'omau Canyon Ditch trail which I hiked in the late fall last year, but it might as well have been a completely different trail back then. The winter rains had fueled the streams and waterfalls, I mean big waterfalls, were everywhere.
We got a bit wet on our hike from some light rains, but were rewarded with rainbows over the waterfalls.


A couple days later, actually the morning of their departure, Erv and I did the "secret" falls kayak and hike. .

We paddled upriver and met with some significant current near the takeout for the hike. Erv rolled his kayak here, but tragedy was averted. We started hiking and I encountered my own tragedy in the form of thick nasty mud while I was wearing only slippers (that's Hawaiian for flip-flops). I had no choice, but to go "hippie" on this hike and just walk it barefoot. Surprisingly, the mud was soft enough that I don't think I got a single cut

In any case, after some slipping and sliding, we made it to the "secret" waterfall which was raging.

I took a quick swim to cool down after the frustrating hike and then back into the mud toward the kayaks.

It was a rewarding hike and a very rewarding visit from my family. Their departure that evening involved tears, but all were consoled by the idea that we'd be back in Cincy within 2 weeks.