This hike has been on my list for a while but it’s a bit intimidating… it’s 1000ft climb up an abandoned tramway on the side of a crater. I was nervous for a lot of reasons, heights are not my strong suit to begin with and then you add the issues I’ve had with long COVID… anyway, I finally at least felt confident enough to try.
And try we did! I say we got 90% of the way there. I almost turned around twice before that… so I did push through a couple mental blocks. However, this time I started to really get worked up thinking about how I might get down with wobbly legs. I did end up sitting my way down for a bit of the steepest parts.
This next picture might give a glimpse as to why I might’ve felt a little nervous, ha.
We did still manage a great view!
You can see just how close we got… I am slightly disappointed, but again I’m so happy we ended on a positive note, and that I listened to my intuition. Now I’m at least more familiar with the intensity.
Surprisingly I’m not nearly as sore as I thought I might be today. Grateful to have friends in support of adventures!
O’Hana trail is very close to me, but it’s not necessarily a noteworthy hike. It’s meant to be a mountain biking trail and we definitely encountered 8-10 mountain bikers on our journey. The whole loop was 6.5 miles and I have the blisters to show it! It was also 855ft elevation, not nothing! Nicely spread out over the entire journey. There was one ok view and it felt like walking through a jungle for most of it.
Simply put, this trail mostly just “does the job”. I think in any other situation this trail would be great, but it kinda gets trounced by the more spectacular hikes. However, the pluses are proximity, low mud, and length without being super tough elevation. Good to go and bang out if you just need a low stress hike for fresh air. Between this and biking the day before, I am wiped!
Time for the monthly KOSC hike! This time I had two people attending and Brian came as well. We started around 3pm and had a really pleasant hike. This one had it all… we saw a ton of Humpback whales, a Hawaiian Monk Seal, Hawaiian Albatross (Mōlī), huge wave swells (15+ ft), two sea arches, blow holes, restrooms, parking, and we timed it perfectly for sunset! It’s the sister hike to Ka’ena from the north side; both end at Ka’ena point but follow different sides of the coast. Very similar feeling to hiking the New England coast.
Can you spot the seal?
There was one very slightly sketchy part, but that’s it. It was straightforward, easy to navigate and walk. It is not shaded at all, but honestly if you go prepared (water, sun shirts, sun screen, sunglasses, hat) it’s not bad at all. It’s not like sweltering… it’s really hard to explain. You’ll have to come see for yourself!
You can still see rail ties from the train tracks that existed for the Ka’ena point train until a tsunami took them out.
It was great to get out and get some fresh air and experience nature in Hawaii. I had been sick with a head cold and stomach issues last week, so I had been a couch potato for a while. Brian really enjoyed seeing this trail, he really loved it actually.
I’ve been wanting to knock out this hike but haven’t been procrastinating because on AllTrails it’s only a half mile loop… in fact when I proposed it to Jess I said maybe we can do a couple loops of it.
Well, turns out this is another sleeper hike and there’s a whole extension to it with a pretty great climb! There also isn’t a lot of parking, but we found a couple spots. This is the entrance, and some of the plants have identification plaque along the way.
After about 200 ft of climbing (you drive up a pretty big hill to get there) there’s a really great view and a bench to sit (this is looking out toward MCBH).
This is looking out toward Kailua and my beloved Mokes, plus Waimanalo to the right.
Then, the path continues up and up… like scrambling up… (this next section pictured had ropes to help) and you get pretty much the same views but also a view back toward the H3. It actually wasn’t that bad of a section, it was pretty grippy, but I wouldn’t do it after much rain and sat on my butt a couple spots to get down.
You can barely see the H3 coming around the bend. I’d like to revisit in the morning when the sun is on those mountains, but this shot with the rays is pretty neat. Needless to say, it took about an hour with stoppage to enjoy, and we didn’t even go all the way (we stopped at the top, but it looks like it goes down the other side and dead ends). I think it was 500ft elevation all things considered. Not bad for a Friday afternoon jaunt.
The short way to Lanikai Pillbox is right outside my door and takes all of 25 minutes, but includes a couple sections of rock scrambling. A friend, Jess, is past her due date and wanted to go for a hike to try to move things along. I was nervous about her doing the steep fast way, and have been wanting to do the back way, so we went for it.
To get to the back way, I can actually park on the other side of my complex and walk. (This comes in handy later).
The views from the back are incredible… dare I say better than the short way.
You’re set further back from the ocean, so you can see the bay a bit better. You also climb higher (maybe?) at some points… essentially we went over three-ish peaks to get to the ocean. You can see we’re kinda starting that section after doing a decent amount of climbing to get there in the first place.
You also get a really great view of Bellows and Waimanalo
And view after beautiful view of the mokes along the way.
If these pictures seem blurrier than normal… it’s because my lens stopped talking to my camera. I didn’t know that’s what was happening until I troubleshooted at home. I switched between manually focusing and trying to get the camera to do it. Oh well, good excuse to do it again. Here we are finally coming up to the first pillbox.
That took an hour to get there (It felt like two if I’m being honest), so we decided that we should go the “short” way home. It was actually the perfect amount of wet… it wasn’t super dry and slippery and it wasn’t muddy and slick. I’m really glad we picked that way. Then we walked through my complex back to the other side to get my car.
It’s kinda hard to get on the top of the pillbox… and by that I mean it’s hard for anyone scared of heights… but Jess did it so I figured out a way. It is actually kinda hard logistically to get up, takes a couple big steps. Anyway! This was my first time to the second pillbox and first time on it… lots of firsts for me this hike!
This is on our way back down.
And of course I had to get a selfie with the fantastic new signs on completion.
10/10 recommend doing the hike this way… if you have the in and can get into the fabulous community somehow. The views of the mokes just keep getting better and better… it feels more like a hike… you hit both pillboxes, it’s so much quieter (we saw two people until we got to the pillbox).
Wouldn’t be a proper birthday without starting with a sunrise walk!
I had to do a little bit of work, but then I took a half day and mid afternoon Jess picked me up for our grand Birthday adventure! We started with a hike to Likeke Falls with the grand plan to loop to Old Pali Rd or go back down and up Old Pali. At one point, the path splits and you have to follow the arrow to the right to find the falls.
The trail was not muddy, but sometimes this can be a disadvantage because there’s nothing to dig into and it ends up being slippery. Between the roots and rocks we made it without falling.
0.4 miles in and we made it! Really quick hike. I specifically chose this because I knew it was relatively easy and I wanted a low risk, high reward hike for my birthday. November is supposed to be the rainy season, but we haven’t received much, so the falls were pretty dry, but SO beautiful.
I chose my attire so that Brian would be there in spirit.
The water was cooler than ocean water, but pleasantly refreshing. The rocks weren’t slippery at all, which seems strange from what I’m used to in New England. Decision time, go down and find Old Pali or cut across? We decided to cut across because the trail was actually stone lined. The path itself isn’t an official trail in all trails, though, so we were going a bit into the unknown. I actually also decided to try my micro spikes on the way back (down is slipperier). Let me tell you, after putting those on I felt like Spiderwoman. Which is great because that was about to come in handy. Soon after stones the path became overgrown with leaves.
I know this picture doesn’t reveal much, but see how the path disappears in front of the tree? It’s a very steep uphill there. Hard to get good footing to get a picture, so just use your imagination. This is where my spikes really came in handy.
Little did we know we had to go down a very steep decline.
I learned that really leaning back on your way down so your feet are more horizontally planted and having cleats makes you feel like you can do anything (don’t worry, parents, had I slipped I would’ve merely landed at the bottom, unlike some Hawaii hikes where I would’ve landed 5K feet off a ridge).
Thankfully after this decent we were right on Old Pali, and now you can see pictures of it!
After this point, there’s a little shortcut to the left you’re supposed to take to get back to the parking… but we ended up walking all the way down to walk back up again. We also came across a father and son harvesting start fruit from a tree (the father is taking this picture). They let us each take two home.
Next we headed to get pizza at Pizza Mamo in Chinatown. I’ve heard a couple people recommend this place, and the real reason we went was because it was near where I wanted to get my cake. We parked at this lot and paid, but the receipt didn’t print… on point with Hawaii. Retrospectively we should’ve found a meter.
Anyway, we pre ordered the pizza leaving the hike and it was ready upon arrival. We originally tried to eat outside, but the sun was scorching us. So we moved inside, but then the guy told us about this place with a courtyard next door that would let us sit there. Turns out it’s a really cool Mexican bar place called Encore Saloon that we decided we’d love to go back to.
The pizza flavor was DELICIOUS. I am personally a thicker crust fan. We also worked up an appetite from the hike, so it was extra delicious. Chinatown was interesting… there was a homeless man outside PizzaMamo that was yelling a lot. But there were all these little hidden gems of restaurants. It was relatively quiet. We’ll definitely go back.
Then we made our way to Slice by HB Baking. I have had my eyes on this place for a while. Go look at their Instagram! They are ice cream cakes of complete decadence. Jess wanted to get two slices, but I encouraged us to start with one, and she ended up agreeing with me. This was pumpkin pecan ice cream, some fall flavored pound cake, and banana pudding with the best whipped cream frosting I’ve ever had. 11/10 would go back here.
Finally, as if all that wasn’t enough, we made it back to Lanikai in time to fit in some snorkeling.
DCIM\100GOPRO\GOPR0799.JPG
And even got a birthday honu! (It was really cloudy for some reason today, and the sun was behind clouds, so hard to see)
DCIM\100GOPRO\GOPR0794.JPG
I was in my pajamas by 6pm. I’ve been joking about how this sure beats any rainy November New England Birthday 😉
Not pictured/documented are the communications on a variety of platforms I received and the presents I opened.
I obviously missed having my best friend with me, and communication has been rough/non existent the last week or so. But he managed a couple Happy Birthday emails (in case one didn’t get through).
Here’s a throwback to our probably third date? We went for mimosa flights for my birthday at Friendly Toast in Cambridge and made it a tradition… well sort of… until COVID ruined it.
Let me start by saying that every year I feel loved on my birthday, and I know that that’s what matters. And that this day was GREAT. I had such an awesome time. This is just a reflection on them in general. The past couple were a bit tough, I think because I was hoping someone would’ve planned or done something for my 30th (they didn’t) and there were quarantine shenanigans (I actually had a nice lobster dinner that year, so actually that was great). I don’t know why it feels like I’m missing out on something… I think because I see “all” these people on social get parties planned for them, or surprised, or have something special, and it makes me feel like no one cares to go through the extra effort for me, and I don’t really get why. Ever since I lost my last best friends to weird circumstances, I feel like I haven’t been able to truly find that again (Brian is not much of a celebrator, nor was their family growing up, so it’s something I have decided not to expect from him). So I have no “bestie” to do things like that that seemingly everyone else does. Anyway, I’ve always just owned my birthday celebrations, because when I don’t I’m disappointed. I was sad Brian wasn’t there to experience these things with me, but it was the perfect day otherwise, and God has filled the hole with a new friend who was thankfully down for my crazy plans for the day. I’m not sure what I feel like I’m missing not having someone that would plan a party for me, but I think it comes down to social media and just how high expectations get set, and maybe feeling like I still don’t quite have a bestie. Again, this is simply a reflection and not meant to say I don’t feel like I’m loved or that I didn’t have an awesome day, because that’s certainly not true. My 32nd was a blast and I don’t think anyone could’ve planned it better/done anything to make me enjoy it more, and I felt completely loved. So I’m not sure what this dissonance is really about, but I’m sure it has something to do with social media. Anyway, here’s to hoping year 33 is a little less tumultuous.
The morning before I left to go back to San Diego, Brian’s parents and I went to Dana Point Harbor for a little walk that goes around the top of the cliff point. It was very sandy… like they dumped a beach on the pathway. It was also incredibly sunny. It only took us 30 ish minutes, but it was a nice adventure. It’s also a nature preserve, so it’s only open a few days a week, and a lot of offshoots were closed off for restoration at the time we went.
This is looking north toward Laguna Beach.
Next is looking south. From this path, the cliff blocks the harbor.
But, then, we actually found another, shorter path facing the harbor itself (and toward San Clemente).
This was a great spot for a stroll before lunch on the harbor (which is exactly what we did!)
Since San Diego I’ve transitioned up to San Clemente to hang out with family. On Saturday we ventured to Palomar Mountain for a quick hike and lunch to celebrate my sister in law’s birthday. There is a fire tower on top that we were able to visit and see the inside of. Visibility was high and you could see the San Diego skyline. (Granted it was tiny)
It was great morning for fresh air and great views! And we did end up spotting a fire! See the smoke?
We ended up at Jilberto’s. I had a taco and it was delicious.
Later we went out for Italian at Casanova’s. I had lobster ravioli.
Well, after 10,000+ pictures, I finally had an SD card fail. I had a very eventful Saturday and Sunday morning and all my pictures are lost to a small, broken data card. I’m asking around if there are any tech geeks I can bring it to recover pictures… but not holding out hope. So, use your imagination and google internet pictures.
I decided to organize a hike for KOSC. I picked a really awesome, unique hike called Old Pali Rd. A section of the hike journeys over an overgrown highway (I am unsure the history there, honestly.) It’s supposed to be haunted, which is fitting for October. Logistically, there was paid parking at the entrance, which is helpful to avoid our cars being broken into. All of this set my expectations way too high for how the day would go…
First, we arrived at 8am, but the parking was definitely on Aloha time, and didn’t open until 8:10am ish. Not a huge deal, but caused me some concern and confusion.
The start of the hike was really cool, walking on the old pali road highway was so fascinating and easy going. However, we did go with a gaggle of kids… I mean there were at least 15 of them. I think the ratio of adults to kids ended up being 1:2. I am all for kids on hikes, they are so fun and bring a sense of innocence, but it can be logistically challenging to keep a group together. A few adults started off and ended up way ahead, and I was bringing up the rear after the huge group of kids and parents. After going underneath the actual, existing pali highway, the groups went different ways (without knowing it). We went left, and the other group ahead went right. I wasn’t really paying attention and didn’t realize the group ahead, who had done this hike before and I trusted, had split off. I was initially intending on going right and should’ve known to be more attentive. Well, going left ended us at a lookout… that you can easily drive to and I drive by probably twice a week. Going the other way, I would’ve ended at a lookout a little higher that I haven’t been to. It got really muddy and slick, and on the way I slipped and fell right on my tailbone. I’m still in a bit of pain today.
I am pretty upset with how it went even though I know I shouldn’t be. Everyone got out and explored which is really the goal. But, personally, I would like to go back, do it a lot slower, take pictures, and go to the other lookout. I was really disappointed I got hurt and felt gypped.
I think that moving forward it’ll be helpful to really scope out the hike beforehand, but it’s hard to do that without enough friends to go with. I also am throughly convinced that shoe spikes and hiking poles are just going to be part of my outfit. I don’t understand what it is about me and my balance, but I’m not clumsy until it comes time to slippery surfaces. Everyone else seems to do it so easily except me.
So, just imagine an old highway with tons of overgrowth, looking like you’re going through a jungle… and it’ll just be like I have a picture of it posted!
My new army wife friend agreed to go on a recon adventure to scope out hike logistics for a hike called “Old Pali Rd”. I want to host the hike for one of my spouse groups. We had heard mixed comments about parking etc, so we went to find out ourselves. Turns out you basically drive through a jungle to get to the trail head.
There is parking at a golf club, it costs $10 and they accept the last car at 3pm (they close the gate to leave at 4pm). There is off street parking on the way up, however, there have been MANY car break ins. It’s a weird and annoying thing in Hawaii… there are signs everywhere not to leave valuables in your car. There are many philosophies, like leave your door unlocked and leave money for them to take just so they don’t smash your windows… Anyway, she had just had her window replaced (reason undisclosed) and it took six months to replace, so we decided to play it safe and come up with a plan B. After some discussion, we decided to go to Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail. Translated from Hawaiian, Puʻu Maʻeliʻeli means “digging hill.”
This parking is a little better, you park at a McDonald’s (the dinning room is currently closed) and walk down a pretty busy street (think RT. 20) behind the guard rail. Mind you, she had three kids (9, 4, and 2). So needless to say I didn’t take pictures of this part, because I was too concentrated on the kids staying far from cars or the ditch next to us.
When we first started up, it was really steep and muddy and there were ropes to use on the side to help. This is looking down from the top of it. The picture does not do it justice.
There were lots of interesting plants, including wild orchids.
The little one wanted in on touching and feeling the plants.
The foliage was very diverse on our way up!
The kids did really great. It was honestly really helpful to have them slowing us down (Look at this leaf! My foot is stuck!) because I never felt out of breath and my lungs did great. There’s also just an innocence and fearlessness that makes me feel more comfortable.
I absolutely LOVE this next picture. Note the dog tucked into the bag.
Unfortunately, they did slow us down enough and with the slow start we had to turn around before the very top… the pace we were going, if we made it to the top it would’ve been getting dangerously dark to be “sliding” back down that “mud slide” as we called it. We didn’t completely miss the views as there were a couple lookout spots on our way.
We turned around right before a really steep, rooted part that looked like it’d take a bit to get up and down. The kids were understandably disappointed… It’s just that I envisioned us trying to hold phones with lights getting down that first steep muddy slippery part at the beginning and it being really slow and tedious. I hope they’ll learn to forgive me so we can go again. I think they overall had fun, though! We sure got muddy.
This is my friend. She is fearless and strong and a ton of fun to be around.
Unfortunate we couldn’t count it as “done”, but I’m looking forward to going back and trying again. When we got to our cars it started pouring, so I think we made the right decision. We will be back! Here are a couple of me she grabbed.
I’m really proud of myself for doing this. It was my first hike without Brian, who has been my security blanket for the last 8 months of recovery during activities. It took some courage and a lot of ignoring my feelings and fear to not back out. It was so, so rewarding.
