Half Dome Selfie!

I did not go all of the way up because I did not have a permit, but it was pretty cool regardless!

Xoxo

Camping in Yosemite

This is where I woke up this morning: pretty awesome!

Xoxo

Climbing rocks

That is not me at the top of the rock, but that is where I climbed! It was so cool!

Xoxo

The picnic table

This is what they do before climbs: lay it all out and double check what to bring, what they have, and (my favorite part) what is safest. I'll be hiking while they climb: feet on the ground is good for me today!
Xoxo

Dental surgery is rough

Goodbye, Valley Isle

It's been wonderful!
Xoxo

Eskimo candy

We're having our final meal in Maui at Eskimo Candy, which is supposed to have some of the best poke around. This is our dining companion, Captain Bubbles.

Xoxo

Last night

Life doesn't get much better than camping on the ocean in Lahaina

Xoxo

The Road to Hana

Thursday we set out early for the Road to Hana. Hana is a small, sleepy town on the south east side of Maui. In order to get there, you have to drive the famous Road to Hana, which is roughly 45 miles of 600+ turns. It was beautiful, and not too bad with a good driver, ginger chews, and plenty of stops for waterfalls!

Interestingly, we both agreed that the section of road after Hana on the way to Haleakala National Park was much more beautiful and rainforest-y. I'm so happy we took our time and stayed there!

Xoxo

Seven Sacred Pools

There are more than seven, and they have never been sacred, but it sounds good on a brochure!!!

We hiked around the pools and then up to the waterfall yesterday. The park is so lush and thick, as you would expect for a rain forest!

The hike also goes through a non-native bamboo forest. It was fun to explore the bamboo, as there wasn't really anything on the horizontal plane!

Xoxo

Haleakala National Park

The past two nights we stayed at the base of Maui's volcano/crater. The coastline here is very "young" as far as these things go; this allows an opportunity to see the waves crashing on the (very) jagged lava rock. It was dramatic to say the least, and not a little nerve wracking! I will post better photos later, but I've included a few..
There was a rainbow from the ocean to the campground our second night, which everyone took to be a good sign. All in all, a good night!
Xoxo

The lost Blue Pool

Today we took a side street on our way back down the road to Hana to find the fabled Blue Pool. It has been described as "out of a movie set" and "so beautiful"...if you can find it! We parked the van at the road closed signs and walked about a mile, but no luck. We did, however, see some very pretty foliage!
Tonight we're back on the beach in Lahaina before heading into "upcountry" tomorrow. We will get to see where most of the produce and coffee on the island is grown: yum!
Xoxo