Maui Tropical Plantation

Visiting the Plantation was sort of an accident. 

We thought we'd be attending the Morey Slip N Slide event, but after realizing a Slip N Slide is not a water slide but infact just a lot of blue tarps duct taped together culminating in a pile of queen mattresses still incased in the factory plastic.

After a quick walk through to survey the bouncy castles and ginger lemon aid stands we wonder off and decided to keep our 80 dollars.

The Maui Plantation was pretty awesome. A very well cared for garden of sorts with industrial artwork intertwined with architecture. They used large pieces of rusty farming equipment to build unlikely arbors, entry ways, fire pits and event gathering spaces. The birds mingled at the water pools. Out in the fields further there's a Zipline course and a dozen or so other pricey locally produced wears and goods.

Which made me want to get ol'Tacowaco going again with some island inspired new screen printed tanks.

Haleakala

At the highest level tourist are allowed to travel Haleakala's signs read 10,000 feet. 

We drove up for sunset as did dozens of other people. Its a forever long drive because the roads weave up the mountain side with turns slowing down to less than 20 miles per hour. We yet again failed to get the windshield clean and the sun was positioned for blinding. 

The elevation change was noticeable. As was the lack of oxygen. Teams of crazy man bikers trailed up the road. They got a group shot under the elevation sign. I lost my breath just getting up the stairs to the elevation sign. And while I do enjoy biking there is nothing you could do to get me on that mountain on a bike. 

Institute for Astronomy Observatories

Their location here makes a lot of sense because basically you're above the cloud line. After about 9000 feet there's nothing but volcanic rock. Piles and piles of rock. They landscaped the look out point with succulents and other plants that only need air to grow.  The observatories are selfishly positioned so that as the sun sets, its blocked by the row of white buildings. I realize this might change as the earth and sun revolve. I imagine the view from one of this towers is spectacular. And the the sun rise is probably even better, since the real view in my opinion was the opposite direction. Danny was particularly struck by the mountains' enormous shadow cast on the clouds. 

The Road to Kihei

Kihei contains many of the "better" public beaches, a few dive bars, and tons of tourist shopping. If you're looking for a coconut handbag or shell encrusted hangy chimmy thingy, this is the place. But most of all its close to ma'dudes work. So we can get to the beach or whatever that much quicker. Time sensitive sun setting and the like. Yesterday I ventured the distance on my bike. It was only ten miles and its not like I had to ride back. But its a start and damn it if that wasn't a great time. The bugs in my teeth remind me of the shit eating grin that must have been plastered on my face. Mountains all around, no stops for 6 miles. Flat paved bike road. Wind might have been an issue but this ride it was on my side.