16.03 Lahaina Pali Trail East, modified: Blue, shades of blue, is my world

We are enormously impressed with the technology of today. We often wonder how we managed to survive
the period until the turn of the century. We underestimate our ability obviously, as we made it without a
cell phone, computers for the first 25 years of life and email, to mention a few inventions. The list of
gadgets is endless. However, one of our favorites, winning hands-down these days, is the automated answering
services at companies and government offices. It saves one having to communicate with a fellow human being—now
that’s progress.

Over the last month, we have needed service that one cannot explain to a machine, strangely enough. Clearly,
the options are limited, ranging from 0 to 9 or letters for the more sophisticated. Unfortunately, letters
are a little more complex because the telephone manufacturers have bunched them together—you can have three
letters per button on the key pad. Shows you how clever the systems are when they can read your mind and know
which of the three letters you have in mind when answering a question.




Shimmering, shining just like glass at Maalaea Bay.



In the early stages of hike, the sun remains low over the water, Haleakala rising at rear.



Jenni takes a break while capturing a beautiful vista above a gulch.



That’s all too technical so we’ll move forward onto the issue bothering us. Our new camera, which
has been giving problems, shows marks on the lens(e). After calling S(xxx), listening to a lot of garbage
and finally reaching a speaking entity—we cannot be sure it was a person because it sounded like she was
reading from notes or a teleprompter, the latter is now in vogue. We remember a time when a person made a
speech rather than read one. However, we digress. The person could not help us as she said our camera was
too sophisticated for her. How did she think we felt?

The whole process was repeated when we got through to a young man. Before we could get our problem
across to this technical adviser, he wanted to obtain our details. We provided these and hoped we might deal
with the frustration caused by the camera. “Hold it,” he answered. “How about buying a warranty?” He then
proceeded to read the sales data until we interrupted. It’s interesting that he could not fathom how to deal
with a patient but deeply upset customer. Then out of left field, he asked whether he should put us on the
mailing list so that we could enjoy promotions from the company. We have never thrown a product before or at
anyone but had he been within range, he might be the proud owner of a broken camera.


One of four gulches we crossed.



With the 'motors' of the windmills switched off, there was no wind on the mountain, something unusual,
something we appreciate. (A perspective)




Haleakala Volcano keeps its 'eye' on air traffic as clouds try to shield it.



Finally, he imparted some advice as well as offering to have the three-week old product serviced
for only 70 dollars. We thought that quite a good idea and are considering jumping on a plane, flying to
the service department with the camera, particularly so we can deliver a check personally. Having performed
an electronic cleaning, we felt better as the results looked positive. Off we went today on an 8-mile hike
with 2,400 feet cumulative gain over rocky terrain ready to obtain clear and clean pictures—(we extended the
hike somewhat). All looked good until we returned to the condo and viewed beautiful scenes with horrible spots.
It was a fairly tough hike and we don’t wish to repeat it for the sake of improving the photographs.




Cloud cover changes the coloring.



Lil Miss Muffet poses after a hearty breakfast, close to the summit, under the only tree on trail.




Clouds dissipate changing the colors once again.


Brother Mark who, by the way, is not a monk, did his best to help. We have one more remedy before
releasing said camera from Angels Landing summit. In the meantime, we continue to use our regular cameras,
priced at a sixth of the new one, weighing a lot less and in fully assembled mode whenever we are ready
to ‘shoot’ a scene. Because we have lived a few years, developed some experience and therefore believe
it will get better…eventually, we haven't given up just yet. Nevertheless, we are grateful for modern technology
and that it continues to improve social interactions and make life less complicated.



"From sea to shining sea', back at sea level.



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey




The colors were staggering, negating the 'blues'. Descending on western side, having commenced from east.