Hiking Sleeping Giant

Hiking can be so exhilarating, relaxing, strenuous, and fun, all at the same time! We recently went on a hike I had never done before. There was a new discovery at every turn in the path ... incredible panoramas of the island ... stately trees ... deep peaceful breaths. 

The hike: Sleeping Giant, otherwise known as Nounou Mountain.

photo courtesy Wikipedia

The beginning of the trail traverses a Norfolk pine forest. Quiet and cool, the regal trees towered above us.

The trail itself is like other Hawaiian trails: red dirt that gets very slippery in the rain, tree roots forming natural steps.

The Giant's Toenails (leaves from the Koa trees, I believe):

The goal: make it to the top of the cliff alive.

Okay, so it wasn't that scary. Besides, this view is the reward:

More from the Alakai Swamp

Back in September, I posted this about the Alakai Swamp Trail. It's one of my favorite adventures here on the island. The Alakai Swamp is the highest swamp in the world, close to the wettest spot on the planet, Mount Waialelale. The climate is so different from much of the rest of Hawaii, getting over 400 inches of rain a year. It really feels like another world. Recently, I combined photos from three different hiking trips to the swamp for an article on HubPages. If you would like to see them and learn more about the history of the Alakai Swamp Trail, click here.

Monday, You Are Mine

My dearest Monday, I have three words for you: Kiss My Grits. I refuse you the power to become just another weekly cliche. Outside, the world is glowing and alive, and you, Monday, are a day just like any other. Full of possibilities and breathable air and birds singing. I read somewhere that if "Monday" were a French word, it would literally translate "My Day". Monday, you are mine. 

Besides, I've already had an entire pot of English breakfast tea this morning. I can't tell you how happy I was to discover a grocery story on the island that actually sells loose-leaf Twinings. Very Happy.

Have you seen the moon lately? The Harvest Moon. I heard it is the smallest full moon of the year.

You all know how I adore autumn. In return for all the lovely blogs that share the long-lost fall beauty with me, I thought I'd share some shots of the vibrant green hillsides that surround me here.

Get the picture? I live in the definition of green. Actually, I don't live in that exact spot. These were taken up in the "mountains". We went hiking in the rain, which is better than it sounds. The sun would shine for a few minutes, then clouds would cover up all the blue, letting the rain fall in showers. We met a couple of Canadians on the trail, and one of them said something I've thought ever since I moved here - It's like the produce section of the grocery store; the rain comes every once in a while to freshen everything up. We only hiked a mile in, before we were craving hot chocolate. On our way back, we were reminded to scrub our boots, to rid them of weed seeds. Number One: we weren't wearing boots, and Number Two: scrub them with what? And don't forget, horses can track seeds too. 

After the trail (and a hot chocolate run at Starbucks), we went to this place where all the driftwood in the ocean seems to collect:

We also saw this pretty awesome petroglyph made by the ancient Hawaiians:

But the best part of this "almost roadtrip" was the Discovery of the Lighthouse. For quite sometime, I've seen a lonely lighthouse in the distance, not knowing how to get there. There are no signs, no apparent roads. But thanks to the kindness and patience of a good friend of mine who remembered, we finally found it. We had to get out of the car, cross a golf course, and follow an abandoned trail, but we found it. 

Looking back from the lighthouse, we saw the afternoon sun pushing through the rain clouds, gilding the grandfathered sea. It was a beautiful day. Like today is going to be.

And Monday morning is over, just like that. 

Alakai Swamp Trail

Happy Labor Day! We're celebrating the holiday out here by not laboring. I'm spending a lot of time with my family and friends this weekend, but I have a moment right now to write a post. So I thought I'd share a cool hike we did a couple weeks ago. The Alakai Swamp Trail traverses through the interior of the island, exploring the bogs of the swamp. The cool temperatures, the altitude, and strange eerie atmosphere combine to create a hike like none other on the island. 

You start out with this incredible view:

The altitude and cooler temperatures create a good place for hydrangeas to live:

Once you take in the view and the flowers, it's time to get down to business.

Mist and fog are more common than sunshine up there:

Not too far from the trailhead, you reach a forest:

After the trees disappear, you find yourself on a flat boggy swamp. The trail continues on a boardwalk over the unstable ground.

... I call it the Dead Marshes ...

At the end of the trail is a lookout to the other side of the island. We waited a while for the fog to clear up.

Then we could see a little bit of the coastline appear beneath the misty veil.

We had a wonderful time. We got wet, muddy, and tired, but a day on top of the world is worth it. 

Kayaking the Wailua River

I hope you all are doing well, especially those of you on the East Coast! Out here in the middle of the Pacific, the sea is calm and peaceful, and the images of the Atlantic during Hurricane Irene come as quite a contrast. I pray you and yours are safe and dry.

We've been stuffing August with as many adventures as we can before the collapse of summer results in busier schedules and less free time. One thing we knew we wanted to do was kayak up the Wailua River. Imagine a sunny blue day with a quiet lazy river stretching out before you. No rush. Worries are pushed aside. With a paddle in your hands and nothing but water around you, the day stands still as you go upsteam into the secluded valley fringed with jungle.

Since I was in a kayak myself, I wasn't able to take many pictures of the kayaking part, but I was able to capture the waterfall.

One of the river branches led to a water hole complete with a rope swing and a convenient cliff ledge.

The other branch of the river led to a trail that took us to Secret Falls.

We swam out to the not-so-secret falls, the water pelting our heads like hail.

The shade was cool and green on our hike back to the kayaks. From there we kayaked back down the river and stowed our paddles to wait for our next adventure.

Hiking Adventure

An adventure was proposed. I hadn't been on one of those in a long while. So I jumped at the opportunity. We were going to hike to a waterfall, jump in it, and hike home. A total of 9 miles. Perfect adventure length. The morning was overcast and threatened rain, which isn't a good thing when hiking in Hawaii. Rain makes mud, which makes slippery trails and eroded cliffs. But no worries, brah! The sun came out by the time we hit the trail.

The first part of the trail follows a cliff overlooking the entire Pacific Ocean. I could practically see Japan over that big blue lovable body of water. Up and down, in and out, the trail winds down to a beach where swimming is prohibited. Well, no one actually guards the surfline... but the way the ocean sweeps parallel to the shore in foamy white cascades should convince any sensible person not to swim.

After we rested at the beach, we took a trail mauka (towards the mountains), following a river. It was rather comforting listening to the murmur of the stream as we hiked along it - water makes me feel safe. The trail mostly lies straight within earshot of the water, but it sometimes crosses over the boulders in the middle of the river. This, I was told by a fellow hiker, is really fun to do - jumping from rock to rock. I tried to have fun jumping (and I almost did), but eventually found myself, head against the warm rock, sprawled flat after a daring jump on a wet boulder. Jump on dry rocks. Oh.

The hike up the river was strenuous, but eventually the prize, the El Dorado, the waterfall was spotted. A hundred feet high and icy cold, the waterfall sprayed mist on our faces even when we stood at a distance. We set our cans of Mountain Dew (see, thinking ahead makes for happiness) in a cold shallows to chill while we chilled ourselves swimming in the pool. At first, I was determined to swim for the falls and get my hair soaked in paradise, but dipping one toe in that water convinced me otherwise. Almost instantly, my feet were numb from standing in the shallows. I waded in further and my legs were senseless. I jumped in completely (except my head) just to say I did it, but jumped right out as soon as humanly possible with useless frozen legs. It was hours before I was completely thawed out. It felt like swimming in the Arctic, and this is supposed to be Hawaii!

Hiking home is always the hardest part. There are no waterfalls at the end. Between you and your car ride home lies a seemingly insurmountable stretch of mud, hills, rocks, and heat. At least we had the cool Mountain Dew. Needless to say, I did survive the hike home and relaxed my sore and aching body in the hot tub. Days later, I am finally not quite so sore, and I'm ready for another adventure!