Exploring with the fam

My peace and quiet living solo up here in Makawao ended on Monday when I picked my parents up from the airport. It was great to see them and they got leied with fresh orchids as they stepped into the airport lobby. Will and his girlfriend Becca got here Wednesday morning after spending the night with Sandy, Jeff’s girlfriend, in Honolulu. I’m excited to spend the next three weeks showing them where I’ve been and exploring new places on the Island.

Yesterday we took the car over toward Lahaina and dropped mom off at the beach where she set up her chair and towel and settled in for a relaxing day of swimming, snorkeling and walking along the shore. Dad, Will, Becca and I went for a long hike up the Lahaina Pali trail that climbs 1,600 feet above the ocean and traverses over sparse and rocky hilltops. There was no shade, so the hike was hot, but the views of the blue ocean and surrounding islands were amazing. After about an hour, Will and Becca decided to turn back, but Dad and I continued on, wanting to see where the trail came out. The last half of the hike descended down steep switchbacks and eventually led to the busy blacktop highway. Dad and I, not wanting to climb back up 1,600 feet, stuck out our thumbs and hitched a ride back to the trailhead. Ironically, we made it back about 20 minutes before Will and Becca stumbled in.

Today I took Dad on one of my epic bike rides. Will and Becca, feeling lazy, slept until 11:30, so they missed our great endeavor. I’ve been wanting to do this particular trip, but without a car I never felt up to biking the seven miles up to Makawao and another five or so miles up Olinda Road. But now, being already in Makawao, it was a hop, skip and jump to get to the start of Olinda Road. I knew the ride was going to be mostly uphill, but I was slightly amazed at how much uphill it was. 2,500 feet in elevation and about five miles. We were both panting and quite sweaty by the time we reached the top. We stopped at Waihou Springs Trail and went for a short, but easy hike through the cypress, pine, and eucalyptus forests. It felt good to be in the woods again – I’ve decided that I’m not an ocean girl, I much prefer to be surrounded by trees and in the mountains.

After our hike, it was all downhill. Olinda Road turns into Pi’iholo road and we did one big oblong oval back down to Makawao town.