Wa'Ahili Ridge Hike

While we were in the Galapagos, we picked up a post-card in Post Office Bay addressed to someone in Honolulu. So, after the Grueler, we found the address, trekked up a steep driveway and knocked on a stranger's door. It was interesting at first as you could tell they wondered "why are these strangers knocking on our door and asking for our teenage daughter?" Then it became very cool. They were very nice people and offered us coffee, showed us the amazing view from their home, and told us of some very nice hikes. They really like Wa'ahili ridge near their home in Saint Louis Heights. We thought we would give it a try. 

So, after the Coconut 8K, we went home for a change of clothes and some food. We packed up some water and snacks and Missy and headed to Wa'ahili Recreation Area off the Saint Louis Heights Area of Honolulu. Nice little parking area at the trail head.

We had read about the trail and expected it to be smooth with one significant rock climb. Our new friends had told us their daughter goes up there for "walks" in the afternoon. We expected it to be like this most of the way. We knew about some roots, but didn't expect it to be rough.

Quickly, it turned into this with lots of roots and very uneven. It never smoothed out again. By the way, check out the Cook Pines. I love the way the trunks look.

 There is winding through trees. We had read not to take paths that jut off the main path.  At the power lines, we weren't sure the right route, we headed down a steep climb and came across a path .... we went left, it circled back to the power lines. I think it was probably the correct way to wind. But, we climbed down again and turned right.











The trail got rockier.









We met a few people going the other direction .... not much further (yeah, right). We knew there was a steep rock climb. We thought this was it. It wasn't. After a few more of these, we came across it. There was another good 30-45 minutes to the end of the trail we were told. The Musician was spent and decided to find a shady spot to rest while Missy and I headed on.







The trail got steeper and I was huffing and puffing. Missy did not have a problem.






We reached a clearing with spectacular views. We stopped for a minute, but the end of the trail wasn't far, so we didn't stay long.






We reached the end of the trail and had choices to make: Up, down, or turn around. The trail end was on a ledge and it was getting windy. We weren't geared for much longer and although I would like to see Mount Olympus one day, today was not it.

Here is the view off the edge of the end of the trail. Beautiful. A cloud was blowing in and it actually got chilly and a little rainy. That was short-lived, though.









Back to the clearing. Missy got some food and I ate some cherries. It was nice to sit with a wee little picnic. I wish the Musician had seen it.

The big rock area that we had to climb? You ask? Well, it didn't fit into one picture and this time I had to climb up and over.















No matter how tough the trail looked to me, Missy had no problems. We did pick up The Musician who was feeling very well rested and headed back down. Check out the Rainbow Eucalyptus.

It was a great hike. There were a few areas with lovely expansive views. Lots of shade. It's not really what I would call an easy trail because it is rough, rooty, and rocky. But, really awesome plants, like this tree.

I was definitely tired afterwards and rested well. Missy did too.

One day, if I can find a way to live there, I will plan for a full day and go to Mount Olympus. And another time, I will head down into the valley. It's a good work-out, but nice to be with Mother Nature.

Coconut 8K

How could I pass up a run in a grass skirt and coconut bra? I like the idea of fun races. This was the day after yesterday's grueler, so I wasn't sure How I would feel. Anyway, after finishing the grueler and eating food, we went to the swap meet to purchase an outfit and then to register for the race and pick up swag.

 The Musician wasn't super excited that we were getting up a second morning in a row at 5 AM. It is vacation afterall. But, it was another beautiful day on Oahu. Aren't they all? We got to Kaka'Ako State Park and I dressed up. I was happy to see that even some really really buff guys were able to chuckle about it and dressed up too.  

The 8K was 2 1/2 loops around the park and some of it was through grass. I just followed the crowd, but it was obvious as things spaced out during the second lap that we had short-cut some sections in the grass in the first lap. The cones were hard to spot and I acted like sheep and followed the leaders. It does make my pace look better on the official results page. The views were beautiful. 

I liked this bird with the funky hairsytle

During my second lap, I met a group of really nice women who seem to be as nutty as me. They had just arrived the day before on vacation and decided to sign up for a race. One of them was wearing a shirt from a race local to the San Antonio area. THEY ARE FROM SAN ANTONIO, TOO!!!!! They run with a different group, but I bet we can find a way to merge. AND, they are a military family. Small world, indeed.

My legs were shot from yesterday's race, so I didn't really feel great at any point during the run, but I finished and got my medal to prove it.

Just in case anyone was wondering, it's not easy to run in a grass skirt. It swishes and gets caught up a bit. And the coconut bra? Well, the strings to tie it on with do pull, and rub, and chafe the neck. I don't advise the outfit for a long run.