Aloha Day 3: Vacation Just Got Real

Haleakala Crater

We awoke at a surprisingly early morning for the second day in a row (again not so surprising given it was noon back home).  Anyway, there was a full day ahead and we wasted no time making our way to the breakfast extravaganza.  This morning I chose a kale, spinach, pineapple juice with a shot of ginger.  The shot of ginger made my nose hairs singe and my (as dad would say) my toenails curl.  We had our coffee, grilled pork, fresh yogurt, fruit, you get the idea and loaded into the cheap rental car for the next big adventure… Haleakala crater.

The weather was perfect as we winded and winded and winded our way up the side of the crater traveling from sea level to 10,000.  The drive and hair pin turns were intermittently interrupted with scolding to “stop tailing them” “they’re pulling over because you’re riding their bumper” and “AHHHHHH.”  It was otherwise relatively uneventful, but lengthy trip to the top.  We got outside the car to discover strong wind and a surprising chill.

Haleakala Crater

Thankfully, layers were packed and we layered up.  We spent as long as tolerable at the top admiring the view before going down to the trailhead for the real adventure.  The landscape is indescribable- the terrain turns from brown to red to black and is as far as you can see.  We made our way over the brim of the trailhead and started our downward hike.  We passed a few weary travelers heading the other direction, huffing and puffing- what novices!  Our goal was to make it to a particular rock and rim where you could see out even further.  Mum sent me on my merry way to turn around and meet back up with her.  The coldness dissipated as it was replaced with sweat.  I reached my turn around point and the view was spectacular.  I turned around and was immediately met by a massive headwind and an uphill grade.  Mum was in the distance but seemed to be hiking along at a brisk pace.  I was starting to get winded, but could see mom was trekking ahead.  When I finally caught up I realized this was perhaps a little much. “A volcano isn’t such a bad place to die.”  I suggested a brief stop.  “If I stop, my legs will never start working again.”  The dramatics continued, including a lecture on pushing “old” people too hard.  A little pep talk and a break and she was back to hiking like a champ.  We took a few more breaks, but made it back to our trusty little Hundai, complete with a “Live Aloha” bumpersticker, whatever that means.  All said and done, it was at least five miles- with a significant grade and at 10,000 feet. The drive down was as harrowing as the drive up.  At one point I was slightly distracted by a cyclist going in the other direction, the tire went over the edge (and there isn’t much edge to be had), which was followed by panic, terror, and screaming.  I white knuckled the drive back to Paia and was hoping mom would forget that I tried to ride this road on my bicycle.

We landed at Flatbread Pizza in Paia, a cute little ocean side town on the road to Hana.  Steven, Pookie (the other one) and I had been to this joint on our previous trip to the island.  We ordered the Hawaiian pizza- pork, barbecue sauce, caramelized onions, pineapple, and goat cheese- absolute heaven.  I had a Maui brew and mom a glass of wine while we recounted our heroics on the crater.

Back at the hotel mom promptly snoozed while I hit the hot tub.  It was supposed to be relaxing, but…  A pregnant woman got into the hot tub.  I, an ob-gyn, panicked.  SHE’S PREGNANT. Do I tell her to get out?  Is she really pregnant, she appeared about 20ish weeks, or just chubby? (I’ve been told you never ask someone if their pregnant unless you see the baby coming out).  The rest of the hot tubbers joked, talked, and carried on and I sat in their like a crazy person trying to figure out what to do.  What would the NY Times ethicisit have to say?  She turned to her husband to inform him that everything was okay, it was no hotter than their tub at home.  My panic hit a whole new level.  Thankfully she got out and grabbed a glass of water (if it had been anything else, I might have totally lost it).  My hope is she got out because of my awkward staring.  I made a mental note to inform the hotel to post a sign baring pregnant women from boiling their little ones, in the meantime I prayed she was just fat.  Regardless I got out and mum woke from her nap.

It was time to head back to town, walking of course, for a round of mai tais and appetizers.  Tomorrow is a spa day for mom and surfing lessons for me.

Hang ten, catch you tomorrow,

Pookiebear