Today's journey gets us up extremely early for the Sunrise over Haleakala Crater. The five of us set off about 4:15 am and drove up the winding road to 10,023 ft. summit. Driving in the dark around those hairpin roads was extremely stressful. Thank goodness there was another car leading the way. We would only find out on our way down, in the daylight, that the road was more harrowing then we knew! Extreme drop-offs!!! About 3/4 of the way up we started to encounter fog. This would NOT be our day to see the sunrise. Needless to say, we didn't see hardly any of the crater. The pics below tell the story.
Cold and wet
This is it!! The view of the crater.
We went down part way for a restroom break. The clouds parted for a while, so we decided to go back up to see if it was clear there.
Spotted Rainbow #3
And back into the fog. Clear skies were not in our favor this day. This is a silversword or ahinihina in bloom.
The landscape at the summit.
The sun is trying so hard to come out, but no.
Rainbow #4
The clouds still hovering over the summit.
View of Kahului Bay, where our cruise ship is docked.
Next stop: Iao Valley State Park
Very lush with tall vertical peaks
Iao Needle
View of the valley and the town of Wailuku
Dual pics with Jane, Pam, Wendy and Cathy
Close up view of Iao Needle
There's always water in the area somewhere!!
Kaahumanu Church, ca. 1876
We then headed for West Maui and the Lahaina coastline stopping off at one of the beach parks to relax and enjoy the water and the beauty of the coastline.
Going a little further north to the Royal Kaanapali Resort and this beautiful Kaanapali Kai Golf Course.
Our last stop of the day was to this overlook, where in the winter whale watching is abundant. This coastline is rugged, beautiful and dry; we are on the west side of the island, the dry side.
Back on the ship we spotted these boat racers.
Iao Needle
View of the valley and the town of Wailuku
Dual pics with Jane, Pam, Wendy and Cathy
Close up view of Iao Needle
More beautiful flowers
There's always water in the area somewhere!!
Amy and Wendy
Wailuku Union Church, ca. 1911Kaahumanu Church, ca. 1876
We then headed for West Maui and the Lahaina coastline stopping off at one of the beach parks to relax and enjoy the water and the beauty of the coastline.
Going a little further north to the Royal Kaanapali Resort and this beautiful Kaanapali Kai Golf Course.
Our last stop of the day was to this overlook, where in the winter whale watching is abundant. This coastline is rugged, beautiful and dry; we are on the west side of the island, the dry side.
Back on the ship we spotted these boat racers.
Leaving Maui - boo hoo!
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