Kuli'ou'ou Ridge Hike

Yesterday Nate and I went on an awesome hike up the Kuli'ou'ou Ridge. I consider it one of my Christmas presents from him. It took us two hours to get to the trail head via bus (including the slow down because we got on the 1 instead of the 1L. Oops.) From the bus stop it was about a half hour walk through a neighborhood to get to the actual trail head. Nate kept us entertained by quizzing my knowledge of local plants poking out of the yards - bougainvillea, ti, hibiscus, mango, noni, plumeria, coconut, and others. The sights and sounds of the forest were so soothing. It was wonderful to be away from the noise, hustle, and stink of the city. (Yes, Hawaii is beautiful, but sometimes the city just plain stinks)

At the beginning of our hike I could hear a small stream gurgling merrily out of sight. The air was heavy and sweet with the fragrance of wild flowers and the hill was spunkily adorned in springy ferns. We ran in to a few other hikers on our way up, but mostly we had the trail to ourselves, for our companion only the quiet rustle of the wind whispering gently to the rhythm of our plodding footsteps.

About halfway up the trail we met another couple who were on their way down, looking refreshed while we, sweaty-faced and panting, labored upward. We exchanged greetings and Nate asked, "There's a water-fountain at the top, right?" I didn't see the guy's reaction, but the girl just stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise, unsure whether or not he was serious until I started chuckling and the guy said, "Yeah, if it starts to rain. Then you can have all the water you want."

The top of the trail got quite steep and with the dirt dry and loose, we were left to scramble upwards. As we climbed higher and higher we could see the ocean stretching out behind us, a calm, bright half-moon of tropical blue. Eventually we could see a good portion of the leeward coast from Diamond Head around past Koko Head and Hanauma Bay.

At the top there was a sign indicating that the trail had ended and it was not safe to continue further, as there was an unsupported overhang and several thousand feet of air beyond that point. So we settled in to eat our PB&J and enjoy the cool breeze and the wisps of cloud blowing over from the windward side. These clouds obscured our view of the ocean on that side, which was disappointing, but they looked awesome drifting over the tops of the mountains only to vanish in the bright sun.

The view was incredible. The ocean stretched on endlessly, disappearing in to the glare of the sun on one side and barely peeking through in bits of shocking blue amid the swirling gray clouds on the other. It was definitely one of the most beautiful and rewarding hikes I've ever taken.

Me in a really cool tree


The mountain on the other side of the valley


Hanauma Bay as seen on the way up the ridge


Nate enjoying a break at the top


Me at the top.


The windward side of the mountains with the clouds.


Nate heading back down the ridge.

Finding My Rythm

I've been feeling the need to exercise and though I know it's just plain good for me, I've been lacking the motivation to lace up my running shoes and hit the pavement. So, on Friday I signed up to participate in the 26th Annual Great Aloha Run.

That's right. This is no measly 5k. This is 13k through downtown Honolulu to UH's Aloha Stadium. Approximately 8.15 miles. I've never run that far in my life. Let the training runs begin! Miraculously, my wee ipod shuffle that took a spin through the washing machine almost a year ago, has started working again. At least long enough for me to make it through my workouts. I'm taking that as a good sign.

So, if you've don't have plans for President's day (Feb. 15, 2010), feel free to join me! I could definitely benefit from a jogging partner.