Day 9: Adventuring with Maggie

 Day 9: South Point, HI

Mom and I hit the road by 8:30a to start the long drive to the southernmost point in the US. That was a short hike from where we needed to park the car (no off-roading allowed). 

Not turning water into wine this trip, but tried to part the seas.

Waves were insanely huge at South Point!

After, we made our way to Green Sands Beach. Longer hike, but cool sights on the way - looked like another planet. A desert planet. With a side of ocean.

Zoom in to the top of the cliff and also to the slope where you can see the stairs!

Maggie was given the option of going up the cliff or down the stairs- she chose the stairs. Good choice!

She made it!

Green Sand Beach!

Making our way back on the lava rock trail.

We then made a pit stop for some caffeine and a quick snack before the 1.5 hr drive back. Got the food JUST before they closed the food truck!

Much needed showers occurred when we got back and then Dan and the twins and I went out for a seaside dinner at On the Rocks.

And for our last night: a beautiful Pacific sunset.

Today's Lessons:

1. Maggie cannot in fact pack enough shoes for an outing. We also had a flashlight, for day hiking. Just in case.

2. There is a big difference between 1 mile and 1 hour while hiking. The hike to Green Sands is 1 hour.

3. The hike is worth it.

4. Salt water completely took out the swelling in my wrist that I had from my surgery incision - overnight. 

5. Too much sun might make it look like you got lip injections. Ouch. 

Up Next:

Closing up the resort- wandering around until we have to be at the airport at 5. Nearing the end of our adventure, so one last post on the layover tomorrow.

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Day 7 and 8: Cats, Packers? Reefs, and Sunset

Day 7

I finally made my way down to the pool. I even read a book. I think it's the first book I've read for fun in over a year. Wasn't the best, but an easy poolside read.

Miles, Charlie, and I went to the Kona Kat Cafe - they bring in local rescues and have them socialized and set up for adoption. Happy to help that process!

After the cafe we went to the Packer bar (yes, the Packer bar) for dinner. The owner is taking his staff to a game in Green Bay this September. Quinn's known for their fish and chips, but had some tasty fried cheese curds... we are from Wisconsin, don't judge.

That may or may not be our second plate of them.

After dinner we all went to our spaces and relaxed before bed - aka I finished my book.

Day 8

Dan and I were up and out to catch our snorkeling tour. Only 7 people - including us - on the tour. We went to Kealakekua Bay - a protected area near Captain Cook. Our tour guide was great and we saw dolphins before we really left to head out.

I don't have many pics from the water,  Dan took several, but just assume we saw nearly every tropical fish you can see. The reef was like the one in Finding Nemo. Beautiful.

After snorkeling we went to Hapuna Beach - I was able to do a bit more snorkeling - this time with a turtle nearby! Found our sandy beach on a lava rock island.

We pit stopped for ice cream

Then headed to the summit for the sunset AND a full moon rise. And a full rainbow on the way there!

Made the 2 hr drive back to the resort, scarfed down pizza, Miles and I loudly played Gin on the porch - mostly me loudly swearing because I was losing, again, and then bed.

Lessons:

1. Sunset was MUCH busier than sunrise on the summit. There were 2 cars for sunrise - we were one of the two. Sunset was PACKED.

2. Jeep drivers are assholes. I said what I said. There were LOTS of jeeps on the summit. Driving like assholes.

3. It's always good to stop for ice cream after the beach.

4.  I still have to finish a book immediately once I start it...

5. Can Maggie ever really have enough shoes?

Up Next: 

Adventuring with Mom... we are going to be left unsupervised...

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Day 5 and 6: Sunrise, Volcano, Food

 Day 5: Kona, HI

We really didn't do much on day 5. Slept in because we were up late with the Manta Rays the day before. There was some lounging at the pool. Hayden wanted to make dinner so we went to find a fish market and got sidetracked... by Kona Brewing Co.

Dan, Hayden, and I had a light snack and this is a rose sangria slushy - dangerously good. 

We found a fish market where we picked up fresh blue marlin. Hayden started cooking while Dan and I went to exchange cars - trading in the minivan for a 4Runner so we can get to the summit tomorrow morning.

Dan and I sidetracked to a nearby beach:

And returned to some amazing dinner a la Hayden.

Blue Marlin tacos with avocado creme, slaw, and a pineapple salsa. Yummmmmm

It was an early night because Hayden, Miles, Dan, and I were getting up at 3am to go to Mauna Kea for the sunrise. 1.5 hr drive to the visitor center, 30 min wait to adjust to the altitude and then another 30 min drive to the top.

Day 6: Mauna Kea Summit

3am wake up call, but everyone left peacefully. On the way there, I noticed a red/orange haze. Sure enough, the volcano on the other side had started erupting - the one we were hoping to see when we were there!

But, when we got to the visitor center...

We were able to see the volcano! And so many stars, planets, the milky way. So, so cool. After 30 min of adjusting we headed up to the summit. Dan watched the temp drop from 53 to 39 in the 8 miles, and that definitely did not factor in the wind.

Well worth the early morning, and by the afternoon, the volcano had stopped erupting, so I'm glad we were able to see it when we did!

We returned back to the resort and napped before heading into town for some food - LavaJava (as seen on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives). Wandered around after lunch - Miles and I got to see a turtle and some cool fish.

Turtle!

The crabs blend in with the rocks. Not great for picking a place to sit!

We headed back to the resort. Dan and I decided to go check out Two-Step - supposed to be a great place for snorkeling. 

Great views! We will likely come back for snorkeling this week. When we returned we had to take Hayden to the airport - working man needed to be back by Friday, and has a 14 hr travel day back to Portland, ME. 

Lessons:

1. Don't play Word Hunt with Miles, you will get destroyed. Same with Gin, apparently. 

2. The heat/humidity take a toll - everyone was exhausted after walking around. 

3. Learned all about 4L driving - the rangers check to make sure you know how to use it before you go up the summit and also do a brake temp check upon your return to the visitor center. I will still make Dan drive though if we go again haha!

4. There are at least 3 ABC stores in a 2 block radius in all major Hawaii cities.

5. Get to the visitor center earlier to be able to enjoy the stars longer. We got there too close to sunrise and were not able to enjoy it for a very long time. 

Up Next:

No idea. We have nothing planned for the next 3 days! Snorkeling? Cat cafe? Beaches?

🎈