We took an all-day tour today: the road to Hana and beyond.

There were many stops along the way, known best by the tour drivers, like this rainbow eucalyptus.
617 turns and 51 bridges in a 28-mile stretch on a 1 1/2 lane road. When there was no oncoming traffic, our driver Scott moved over to the cliff edge so we could look DOWN. (Me inside my head: “I know I’m safe on this bus. A tour bus has never gone over the side. I know I’m safe.” Repeat. Repeat. Snap that picture!) On the other side of the road, lots of waterfalls.
We stopped several times at farm stands like Hana Farms, known for their banana bread (not that good, Phyl’s is much better).
The black sand beach in Hana. A small cave leading again to the water.
Lunch at a flower farm. While Scott set up our tables and got out the food, we were given the “opportunity” to buy/buy/buy.
Haleakala National Park and the Seven Sacred Pools.
My first successful selfie:
The resting place of Charles Lindbergh.
The end of the Hana Highway, the beginning of the Piilani Highway (highway?). Rougher, narrower, and sometimes a dirt road. Pregnant women and people with bad backs should not do this section.A view of Haleakala: In the distance, Kahoolawe, uninhabited since WWII when it became a bombing range for the Navy. This ended in 1990 and the island has been returned to the state government of Hawaii.
After a long bouncy day on the tour bus, we took the beach walkto Duke’s for dinner.

Today, we explored Paia and Kihei.Paia is said to be a “hippie town.”Hmmm, how about matching shirts for the husbands? I’m sure Dave and Jerry would cringe at the idea.Keawalai Congregational Church in Makena was built in 1832.After a big lunch, I was so ready for a good walk before it got dark. There was a great beach walk with pavers or boards (i.e. no sand), 4-5 miles long, the resorts (and a golf course) on one side, the beach/ocean on the other.Heading back rather hurriedly before the sun went down. Made it just in time.

Fresh pineapple for breakfast, expertly prepared by Phyl. Maui Gold pineapples are so delicious!
We went for a Pleasant Holidays orientation at Westin Kaanapali – a beautiful hotel!



Shopping at Whaler’s Village was our next stop, followed by lunch at Leilani’s, and a long relaxing afternoon. Ahh, paradise.

The next week will be spent in Hawaii with cousins Phyllis and Carol.
So exciting! Our first stop, just 1.3 miles from the Kahului Airport: Discount Fabric Warehouse.
The best selection of Hawaiian prints in the Islands.
Our condo is in Kaanapali.

We met for lunch at the Yard House in Roseville.
The Yard House is located at The Fountains – a collection of 40 shops and 9 restaurants in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Field preparation began in March. The time of year to keep your windows closed and change your walking route.

Now the fields are being flooded to a depth of 5″ prior to seeding.
Water flowed from one field to the next.
Farmers watch carefully to maintain the 5″ water depth for the next five months.
There were two different crop dusters flying over Justin’s house today. This one flew directly over Justin’s house every 10-15 minutes.
There are short landing strips all over the place with a supply truck standing by for reloading.

This has nothing to do with rice, but it’s a pretty good picture of Justin’s walnut trees (on the right side of the driveway only). On April 1, only catkins were visible.

Doppler radar showed this on Sunday afternoon:
It looked like this at Justin’s house.
The rain stayed to the north. 30 minutes later the sky was blue, the sun was back!

Until next time, Billie.

I hope you will come back to California soon. There is still so much bike riding to be done.