Maui, the adventure

The view from Kahakuloa Head, West Maui, facing East.  It's a moderatly dangerous climb up steep and loose rocks.  I figure if the mountain goats can do it, so can I.

I love this island, but even in paradise there are days that suck.  My scooter got stolen by some local kids in the middle of the night.  You can ask me about the full story, but for here I'll say it was like being on a episode of COPS when I got it back. One really fun thing I did this past week was I went camping at Polipoli state park.  It is a nice area about 8000' up the South side of Haleakala volcano.  There are massive Redwood trees and Eucalyptus as well.  I camped with some of my good friends.  This picture is from a hike we did.  (click on it for a better view)

So I've been here 100 days now and I'm seriously lacking on keeping this blog up to date.  I've done so much stuff in the short time I've been here.  This picture is from the road to Hana.  For those of you who don't know what that is, this picture really doesn't do it justice.  The road is made up of over fifty bridges, most of those being one-way.  Many parts of the road are one-way or one lane as well and if you get there the same time as an oncoming car one of you has to either pull way over or back up.  It is a really busy road because it connects Hana and all the other little towns and villages to the rest of the island.  Not to mention, all of the tourists that take thier toll on the road as well.    I've been out there and back seven times.  Each time is over 120 miles, round-trip.  Twice I'e gone out there on my 49.5cc GTX Turbocam moped.  It's a super-fun ride, but on a scooter it does get a little uncomfortable.  There are some really cool beaches along the way.  My favorite is a red sand beach that is hidden in a cove and you have to walk along a steep cliffside to get to it.  Another favorite spot is Waianapanapa State Park.  There is a black sand beach there as well as a network of above and underwater caves.  I love exploring the caves.

   This is me, mid-air from the Ohe'o Gulch bridge.  It is a illegal 62' (19m) jump located within Haleakala National Park.  There are often rangers standing guard at the bridge ready ensuring nobody attempts jumping.  There've been a few fatalities and inumerous injuries from inexperienced jumpers, like myself.