Maui Photo Album - October 2008
Thursday - Haleakala
Thursday was our last day in West Maui. We had stumbled by a quilting & needlework shop in Lahaina earlier in the week, where they schedule one-on-one Hawaiian Applique lessons. Though we were both exhausted, Matt convinced me to take lessons and I was glad I did. The co-owner of the shop instructed me, giving me some nice tips to improve my applique. I've done a bit of "traditional" applique before, and have taken a short class by the author of a good Hawaiian applique book at Quilt Market, but I hadn't ever learned how to lay out the designs, so it was a helpful class. Recommended to any quilter (new or experienced) visiting the Lahaina area.
Breakfast Overlooking Molokai
We picked up some pastries and fresh fruit and enjoyed breakfast at a roadside park, overlooking the Ka'anapali area and the island of Moloka'i.
Heading Up Country
After the quilting lessons, we headed up country, thru Makawao, then into Haleakala National Park. Makawao is a great place to visit -- lots of shops with friendly staff and nice souvenirs. We bought a gift or two (I'm not telling what or for who!), then Matt surprised me by buying my Christmas gift at a great art glass shop, and having them mail it home. I'll have to take a picture later - it's a beautiful cobalt-blue and green vase. We met the man who made it, he does really nice work.
After Makawao, we headed further upcountry into Haleakala. A few notes about Haleakala:
- Haleakala is a mountain - the remnants of a volcano which created Maui (or at least which created the bigger east part of Maui - the West Maui Mountain's eruptions would have created the west side).
- Make sure you have at least a half-tank of gas before you head to Haleakala. There are not many gas stations upcountry, and none whatsoever after you get on the road to the summit.
- Not only is there not any gas in the park, there's also nothing to eat or drink, so plan ahead on that, too.
- Haleakala's summit is over 10,000 feet. Chances are good that you started your day at about, oh, about 50 feet above sea level (counting for being on the 5th floor of your beach hotel). Yes, mountains in places like Colorado are higher, but it's really unlikely that you'd go up 10,000 feet in a few hours. Stop in Makawao, then again at the first visitors center to let yourself acclimate.
- Yes, this is a tropical island, but it's darn cold at 10,000 feet! If you're going for sunset (and we hear it's worse for sunrise), dress warmly. The sun is bright, the winds are sharp, and the temperatures fall fast.
- Imagine the road you know that has the steepest drop-off to the side. Chances are that road has a nice guard rail. Now, consider that same road, without a guard rail, above the cloud line, with mindless cows and oncoming traffic. That's the road to the summit, so be ready for it.
- Be sure to put the car into a lower gear on the way down. And, watch for cows. Imagine coming around a sharp hairpin turn, in the dark. Ahead of you, thankfully, you make out the outline of a big black cow.
- Matt drove so I was just the passenger - but like a few other drives on Maui, it was a very active time as a passenger. I was leaning to the side trying to see around turn, watching for cows & cars. I don't think either of us saw much scenery on the way up or down! But, the summit is worth it!
- The mountain was cloud-covered when we drove up, but the clouds broke around the level of the first visitor's center - putting us above the clouds.
Haleakala Visitor Center
Matt, representin' Chuy's & Austin at the visitor's center.
Despite the clouds, we could see down to the coast from time to time.
Kalahalu Overlook
At the end of a short trail (~5 minutes) you suddenly come upon the crater area. There's a small wind shelter and platform which gives great views into the crater.
We could see both mountains on the Big Island of Hawaii from the summit of Haleakala (see the darker blue bits amongst the clouds).
Looking into the crater, again with the Big Island in the background.
Summit Area Visitor's Center & Hiking
The crater area is purple, orange, red, grey, brown, yellow, green...
The sun was so bright up there!
Again, we could see over to Hawaii.
There are trails that lead down into the crater area - we didn't take them since sunset was coming soon, and I can't imagine what it would be like to be down there as the shadows grow longer!
View to the parking lot, but mostly look at all the clouds!
The moon rising.
Again, it was incredibly bright up there!!
These plants, called silverswords, apparently only grow on Haleakala.
Haleakala Summit / Sunset
Did you read my warnings at the top about it being really cold up there? Well... I should have heeded my own advice better. I wore my Violet Burning hoodie (the only long-sleeve item I brought) over a tshirt and shorts. Matt, unfortunately, didn't even have that -- he was just in shorts & a t-shirt. Everybody around us was bundled up, except for us. I wish I knew the temperature - cold enough for fingers and legs to start to feel kinda numb.
Between the clouds you can down to the coast. I think this picture shows the coastline with the overlook we stopped at a few times.
Looking over to the Big Island.
Sunset past the observatory, "Science City"
