Home at Last!

We left S&M's home about 10:00 this morning; came home via the Bend route (takes longer but its a lot more interesting). Arrived home at about 9:00 MT. There was just enough light for us to tell that the lawn looks great and the gardens have gone crazy! Everything appears to be in order and Max was very glad to see us! Many thanks to Janet and Shawn for looking after things.

So now we've seen all 50 states! What's next? We had a very enjoyable trip; S&M were great travelling buddies. Of all the places we visited in the three islands, that last hotel, the Mana Ka Maui, was the clincher. If you had nothing to do but hang out at the beach, that's your place! As an added bonus, we are now fluent in Hawaiian. Aloha!

Now, to laundry...............

Fresh fruit everywhere

Some great restaurants

Glow from the Volcano crater at sunset

Pineapples everywhere

We thought they might mate while we were gone

Lots of interesting history

Many flavors can be found

Gas only a little more expensive

Sunsets every night

Great pubs, too

Interesting vegetation

Selfie

Means "Thank You"

The Long Journey

With only one minor screw-up, we made it home in fine style. After breakfast at Denny's, we arrived at the Alaska counter at the airport only to be told we were late - by 5 minutes before their cutoff. Dang! We were certain we were there in well enough time. Anyway, after much fussing around, they managed to put us on a later flight - to Seattle not  Portland, then down to Portland. Anyway, the flights were uneventful and we arrived at S&Ms house by midnight, local time.

The long drive home begins in the morning!

Maui Plantation and Iao Valley

Started our day with a run on the beach, a huge breakfast at Kihei Caffe (which included a side order of Spam), some lolling on the beach before lunch (first evidence of sunburn, I'm afraid!) The, while S&M continued lolling on the beach, we headed north up to the Maui Tropical Plantation. In its day it was a large pineapple grower, but as the pineapple industry has declined, they've diversified into bananas, coffee and other stuff,along with gift shops, tram rides and a gal showing us how to peel a coconut. Of ,the usual beautiful flowers and flowering trees abound!

After a dish of chocolate mac nut ice cream, we headed further north on the island to Iao Valley state park and monument. Its a walk through the tropical woods with views of the mountains (where it rains 300 inches a  year) and the feature called "the Needle".  The legend history here is that there was a great battle between the indian camps and Kamehaweha's men prevailed, thus joining all the islands into a single Kingdom.

For dinner this evening we splurged and went the 5 Palms, here in the hotel, and had prime rib! Delicious! And, of course, yet anther fine sunset!

P.S. We went to the Safeway store and found the Spam department - hot and spicey, jalopena, barbeque, black pepper, turkey, garlic, the list goes on.

Hanging  out in front of our hotel

Yikes!

Road to Hana

Yet another glorious day in paradise! This morning we headed off down the famous (or "infamous") Road to Hana. Its about 100 mile tour around the eastern and southern side of the Island of Maui, known for its many, many, I mean many, sharp hairpin turns on a bumpy, mostly one lane road. Requires intense concentration on the part of the driver (great job, Steve!). Not recommended for those susceptible to car sickness!

Along the way there are many views of the rocky coast, with some great places to watch crashing waves. Until you turn in a southerly direction, about half way around, the environment is crazy tropical. So many different species of tropical plants; beautiful flowers, huge leaves. As you turn south, the climate turns much drier and before you know it you are traversing areas of lava flows and desert-like conditions.

There is an entrance to the Haleakala National Park, opposite from the side we went up yesterday, which features a series of waterfalls and pools leading down to the ocean.

We finally got back to town around 7:00PM and stopped for our dinner at Ruby's Diner in Kahuli. It was a long day in the car, and not very comfortable because of all the twists and turns, but  a great trip, nonetheless!

Lobster Claw

Bird of Paradise

White Ginger

Torch Flower

Another Red Crested Cardinal

Many roadside fruit stands

A :regular" Cardinal

African Tulip tree - they're everywhere!

African Tulip

African Tulip tree

Lots of feral cats around

Many waterfalls along the way

Black sand Beach

Torch Flower

Shopping, Haleakala Bike ride

The guys and gals split up today. Linda and Mary started their day with an awesome breakfast at the Kihei Cafe, which included spam, eggs, roasted spuds, pancakes, and more. Then next door to an outdoor market, which was a disappointment; then to an outdoor arts and crafts market which was MUCH better! Then to the famous "Hilo Hatties", all Hawaiian clothing and souvenir stuff. The to the also famous "ABC Store" (there aren't nearly as many of these as there are on Oahu).

After lunch back at the hotel (made their own), and watching the sea turtle from the balcony, they went down to the beach and "hung out", until the boys returned.

Meanwhile, John and Steve joined a group of 9 other folks (Canadians and Aussies) for the Volcano Ride - a bike ride down the slopes of Haleakala.. Actually, the van, hauling a trailer full of bikes, took us up to 6500 feet, just at the entrance of the National Park. Then, unexpectedly, we dropped off the trailer and rode the rest of the way up to the summit at about 10,000 feet, the see the crater. We also got an up close and personal look at the Silversword plant, which is unique to this mountain. It only blooms once in its lifetime -  which could be 50 years!

As with any tour, the success of it is dependent on the tour guide.The bike ride leader was "R.C." - he was fabulous!!  ( He was also the spitting image of Bill Murray). The van driver, Tony, was also wonderful. These two guys were a hoot and provided all kinds of interesting factoids alongt our ride, as well as creative photo ops.

The ride was a coast downhill, which was about 15 miles in total, all of us single file with no hi-jinks! These guys were very safety conscious; we wore full face helmets and we were not allowed to carry anything - no cameras, cell phones, water bottles - nothing to cause a distraction. The bikes were very heavy with hand brakes and only one speed (low) which we rarely used anyway.

Halfway down the hill we stopped at a Lavender farm/horseback ride/zip line place and had lunch - Maui tacos and Taro burger.

We all met up back at the hotel, went for swim, hung our o the beach,  had a cold drink, and headed out for dinner at McGilicuddys, just at the right time to see another great sunset.

Self explanatory

Silversword infant

Silversowrd in full bloom

Ranger photographs it every day

Haleakala Crater

Lined up and ready to roll!

Rest stop and photo op

R.C.