Saturday, April 16

We are calling today our day of fog, mud, rain and fun, and 'mocking birds'-- check this out below!
Woke up to a decent AM ,but cloudy and drizzle. Decided to go ahead with plan to go up to Waimea Canyon and  Koke State Park for seeing view ( ha!) and hiking - figuring that the weather generally changes here often, and should get better....
So first stop was Waimea Canyon overlook:

Please note the beautiful view and canyon below....
Onward and upwards ( literally- we were up at 4000 feet for our first hike) - to a hike in the forest/jungle
 stll foggy/ wet -

 So the above is how it started, then we got to the following-

We were serenaded by birds-they were all around us, but despite a lot of effort, we never saw one. Likely they were the elusive I'Iwi, we were told- but you can't prove it by us---- we think it was just some crazy mockingbird teasing us....
By the end of this hike, it was actually looking almost sunny, so off to the top of the road where we saw the sign to Waiakoali Mouttiain, which gets the most rain /month in the world.

 So we set off on the Pihea Trail toward the Alakai'i Swamp, the worlds hightest swamp - and really experiecnced mud and more fog and drizzle. Note the below to see what we enjoyed.:

 Now you are going to say- hey wait a miniute- you are in sun!- Well, we were occasionally - and we thought that we would share that with you too. This trail is  on a ridge that falls off 5000 feet to the Pacific on the left  and only 3-4000 feet into the canyon  on the right. We never saw more than 200 feet down towards the Pacific due to fog. We got occasional good view the other way.
But, more of the trail

Occasionally we got a boardwalk to walk on - for short distances only:

It kept going up, more mud, steeper - and this is the last photo that I took before we quit- as we were becoming unsure about both going on and /or getting back safely ( imagine us thinking of that!):

 As we were driving back down the road saw the following bird, which turned out to be a Kolea - or Pacific Golden Plover in mating plumage:  Our photo doesn't really do him justice, but here it is anyway:

As we drove out of the Canyon we actually finally got a great viw- of the beginnning of the Canyon and the surrounding area:

So, we are definitely going back there for another try at reallly seeing Waimea Canyon and for another hike, hopefully with bertter weather gods presiding.
Interesting how the weather on the coast was great - warm, sunny ,etc. - tho we did hear that it had been rainy in the morning. 
On our drive back to our B&B, we had to have a snack- so stopped at JoJo's Shaved Ice and had a real treat --

Then for a quick shower ( our legs were just a little muddy) and off for an excellent dinner at Kola Cafe, with great entrees ( fish enchilada and a fish /veggie wrap) - which presented very well - colorful. So you can see that we are eating very well indeed:

And now , it is off to bed, as we have to get up early.  Have plans to go by catamaran along the Napoli Coast for viewing the coast, hopefully viewing whales/ dophins, and snorkeling.  Stay tuneed.
Thanks for following us- we are really enjoying sharing this with you all.Love,Deb/Neal