The "Remnants" of Tropical Storm Wali

Wait, this was a downgraded tropical storm?  After last night and this morning, I'm not certain we'll want to be in our house at 3,200 ft. when the real thing blows in.  It could get ugly around here if 35-40 mph winds and a few inches of rain one day turns into 100 mph winds and a foot of rain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-AUlTjggzo&feature=youtu.be

Good Riddance
 

Really High and Dry

Friday was my lieu day (every other Friday), so mid-afternoon we took off to a rarely visited part of Maui.  The Skyline Trail starts at the Observatory just steps from the Haleakala National Park Boundary at 9,925 ft. elevation, where the lush tropical paradise of Maui seems a world away.  This is about as close to flying as you can get without your feet leaving the ground, as 360 degree views abound.  The "trail" follows an old asphalt roadbed for 1/2 mile before turning to a dirt track.  We hiked for 3 hours and encountered no other people, birds, animals, or living creature of any kind.  If you ever trek this way, bring plenty of water, because there's no H2O to be found except for the Pacific Ocean looming 9,000 feet below you.



The Trailhead, Observatory, and the National Park Boundary

Star Thinking about Lava Rock and Past Mishaps from the Trailhead



Doofus and the Pacific Ocean Below

About a mile in we went through a pass and were looking
West at the Island of Lanai

We passed by several cinder cones



Maui from above



Star Hikes by a Cinder Cone ahead of me



At 8,900 feet, we reached the interface of lava and greenery



Our stopping point with the coastline way below

Headed back toward the car, we passed a sign near this area
saying "Watch for Falling Trees."  As Star says, "There hasn't
been a tree here since the beginning of our planet."



The Big Island in the Distance



As sunset neared, the temperatures dropped to around 50.

On our drive back home, I stopped to take this photo of
my workplace far in the distance.

Back in the Saddle at Pilopilo State Park and the Kula Forest Reserve

Star proclaimed she was ready to hit the trail again this weekend, so on Sunday afternoon we took off to explore a new area; one with few lava rock, and trails similar to those in the Blue Ridge. 

We took it easy on our first hike since the broken ankle, and she responded magnificently.   We went 2 1/4 miles through an unbelievable eucalyptus forest and got in several hundred feet of elevation work. 

Disclaimer:  We are in no way responsible for the

22 seconds of life lost by watching this video.

 

Eucalyptus

???

Eucalyptus Forest

After a couple of miles, we broke out of the trees at 7,000 ft.
and had a great view of old cinder cones on the side of Haleakala.

Looking toward the South Shore driving down.

North and South Shores, Central Maui, and West Maui
Mountains in the distance.

Believe it or not, there is a Frisbee Golf Course to the left of Star.
We passed it on our way down from Polipoli at around 5,000 ft.

Makawao 4th of July Parade

I forgot the camera at the house early this morning, so we had to take these pictures with my "old school" cell phone camera. 



Pre-parade breakfast with picture windows looking out on the
parade route.  Never can have too many pairs of sunglasses here.



My co-workers at Haleakala National Park
 



Raj and Aaron




 



Politicians never pass up an opportunity to pander for votes.
This one was the winner.