Tracy and I are just back from a wonderful week on the Big Island. We celebrated our niece Crystal's beautiful wedding on the grounds of the Sheraton at the end of a week of fun family gatherings. We got there a bit early, so were able to have some adventures on our own, including a day trip to the top of
Mauna Kea in a rented four wheel drive. The road to the top of this 13,700 foot peak is dangerous and steep. I was glad that the gravel portion was shrouded in thick fog; I did not have to look down the drop off! We emerged from the clouds at the end of the gravel road to see the last 2 1/2 mile paved 12% grade road winding to the top.
Even though we had stopped at the 10,000 foot
visitor center to acclimate, we both felt the effects of the altitude. Tracy stayed in the truck while I wobbled around outside getting photos.
We headed down just as the sun set beneath the cloud cover. It was glorious! At the visitor center, I had been able to visit the exclosure they have set up to protect the endangered
Silversword plant from hoofed animals, and am pretty happy with the photographs I came back with. We're now ready to venture to the top of
Haleakala on Maui to see the Silversword and cinder cones there.
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