Last day — no surprise, hard to say goodbye.
Up early, showered, packed, keys on the counter, door locked behind me — aloha. Aloha, hello & goodbye. Goodbye Wailea, hello volcano hike 🙂
Ya’ll know I’m a fan of our National Parks — and hiking, that’s my first love. Hit the highway & spent my last Hawaiian day in Haleakalā Nat’l Park. We Americans are so blessed. Whether it’s Glacier, Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Rockies, Crater Lake, Pikes Peak, Mammoth Cave, Assateague Island, Grand Teton or Haleakalā — our nation’s strength, its core, its inner beauty comes from the land…Atlantic to Pacific, we Americans are blessed. National Parks are our country’s greatest gift to its citizens. HUGE fan!
Renewed my annual pass at Park Headquarters, then started the climb to Haleakalā Visitor Center & Pu’u ula’ula Summit 10,023ft — high even by Colorado standards.
This dormant volcano last erupted 400 years ago. Lava poured from Haleakalā & flowed south to the Pacific, just east of Makena. I remember my hilly Day One run — landscape formed from this same massive explosion.
Aside from stunning views at each of the Park’s three overlooks, I appreciated the dramatic temperature drop. After 4 days of island humidity, mountain breeze & low 50’s were a welcome relief 🙂
Summited Maui’s high point, an easy .2 mile hike on Pā ka’oao Trail. Whatta view! Haleakalā Crater was formed from wind erosion — not dome collapse like Crater Lake in Oregon. Arid, desolate, wind swept sands. The volcanic panorama was more reminiscent of Iceland than tropical Hawaii.
Spent so much time landscape gazing, left myself only an hour to hike from Keonehe’ehe’e (Sliding Sands) Trailhead. Orange, reds, browns, taupe, auburn, pink, maize — not ONE colour of sand, but an intricate patchwork of WOW!
Clouds gathered (first rain all holiday). Drove north shore, back to Pāʻia for one last mind imprint — dinner at Mama’s Fish House. [Excellent recommend, thanks Tina.] Menu varies based on the day’s fresh fish catch. Yeah, FAAANN-FRICKIN’-TASTIC!
Mahalo, Hawaii — thanks for 5 unforgettable days; Wailea to Lahaina, Pāʻia to Hāna Bay, Molokini Crater to Haleakalā.
Mahalo, Hawaii. No regrets, nothing left undone.
-
- sunrise
-
- LOVE our National Parks!
-
- Hawaiian Goose, the Nene
-
- climb up to Haleakalā Visitor Center
-
- life always finds a way
-
- volcanic panorama, reminiscent of Iceland
-
- first Pu’u ula’ula, then Keonehe’ehe’e
-
- Pu’u ula’ula Summit 10,023ft — high even by Colorado standards
-
- formed from wind erosion, not volcanic dome collapse
-
- colourful patchwork of WOW!
-
- barren, desolate & beautiful — last eruption 400 years ago
-
- arid, wind swept, volcanic landscape
-
- memorable, last dinner in Maui
Planned my Ohio marathon in Amish country – yes, on purpose – like stepping back in time. Remember Kelly McGillis & Harrison Ford in “Witness”? I do. Intrigued – had no previous exposure to the Amish.
Flew red-eye to Cincinnati, hour nap (across airport seats) ‘til stores opened, rental car pick-up, then another 2 hours sleep in nearby Brown County [rest area]. 9am, splash of cold water – awake, ready to get my Amish on.
Early autumn in southern Ohio: leaves starting to yellow, corn already harvested. Crossed a covered bridge, entered Adams County – sighted my first Amish road sign 🙂
BUGGY!
Kept my distance in the car, not wanting to frighten the horse. Clip, clop, clip, clop, clip, clop – down the paved road.
In only its 3rd year, tomorrow’s race would draw more than 1,000 runners – 300+ would run the full 26.2. Followed the race director to bib pick-up after my GPS left me 4 miles rural at a local farm. No frills race expo with big frills swag.
Left my car at the wood ‘Expo’ building raised by the Amish; took a short walk to Millers Bulk Foods, followed by a trip to the Bakery. Turkey sandwich on homemade pretzel bread – soft & salty, garnished with local tomatoes, onions & lettuce…food LOVE!
Filled the afternoon driving tomorrow’s race route – my first 2-loop marathon – one long grind, 2 big hills…one the Amish call “Hell Hill”. Course not as hilly as West Virginia but bigger elevation gain (higher grade hills).
fave moments:
- horse envy – both carriage & plow horses: well-groomed, beautiful animals
- steaming blackberry pie pulled from a wood oven at Millers Bakery
- Amish bicycles/scooters – big front wheel, smaller back wheel, no pedals (pedals considered a technology, forbidden by the Amish); kids were crazy fast, flying down hills, racing home after school
- buggy parking at the evening’s Amish auction
Unique culture – living much as they have since the 1800’s, an agrarian society with strong religious leanings & no electricity.
Ate with the community at a school fund raiser – smoked chicken, potato salad, homemade ice cream & pie (whole lotta pies). Stayed for the Amish auction – not that I needed a horse halter, but digged the life experience 🙂 Pretty amazing day.
No hotels in Amish land. Stayed 45 minutes away in Maysville, Kentucky (just over the mighty Ohio river).
Early to bed, early to rise – tomorrow I run with the Amish!
-
- Good Morning Appalachia!
-
- early Autumn: leaves turning, corn harvested
-
- steaming blackberry pie at Millers Bakery
-
- turkey on homemade pretzel bread – soft & salty, garnished with local tomatoes, onions & lettuce…food LOVE!
-
- Ridge Way Lumber
-
- buggy (overflow) parking
-
- community dinner fund raiser (supporting Wheat Ridge Amish School)
-
- whole lotta pie
-
- Amish auction – not that I needed a horse halter, but digged the experience
my first Amish buggy
Amish auction (gas-generator lights provided for us non-Amish)
Halfway thru my 7 week marathon challenge, find myself struggling. Yes, it down-poured in Kansas; Yes, I’ve been sniffling for 2 weeks, cold/runny nose – but those are just excuses. 4:42 finish time yesterday in Oz – my 4th worst.
Physically I think I’m there – mentally, the constant travel, I’m dragging. I miss my mountains.
Woke early Sunday & drove to Estes. Sunshine & snow, elk & bighorn sheep – medicine for the soul. Finished the day with steak rare; plan to hit the gym hard Tuesday & Wednesday. Watch out Kentucky – fixed my head, I’m back in the game.
Rocky Mountain National Park
April 17 at 2:43pm •
When is the next day for Free Entrance to the National Parks?
Tomorrow and Sunday!! April 18-19 are free entrance days to NPS areas in celebration of National Park Week. Are there other days this year that have free entrance? Yes! https://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm
America’s Best Idea—the national parks—is even better when it’s free!
-
- “The mountains are calling and I must go” – John Muir
-
- road sign for all great adventures
-
- outstretched arms, direct-faced the numbing wind, closed my eyes & breathed in deep — medicine for the soul
-
- bighorn roaming in Estes
