Hikes 28 and 29: Kealia and two others, North Shore

SHALOHA, (The greeting at Chabad, Oahu)

Sunday & Monday

View at trailhead. Hike continues on mountains behind this 'little one'

Well deserved smoke break in overpowering beauty

We were thinking as we drove towards the north shore about liberation. We remarked to our beloved passenger alongside that we love the feeling of freedom as we move from place to place doing, seeing, hearing and learning every day. Here today, somewhere else tomorrow; each day is an experience with variety, interest, challenges, change, always something strenuous and of course, a refreshing can of…we ‘blew’ that. It got us pondering of another liberation movement. When it surfaced, it created more movement in itself. ‘Burn the bras’, they yelled. Well, we suppose not all liberation can be equated, some are more equal than others.

Lifting the hat to the Master's hidden treasures
(Click on pics to enlarge & then 'back button)

Guide indicating Oahu's highest

We had a wonderful day (Sunday) but it was not without its challenges. Three, in fact—at least that we know of. We started the day by taking a taxi to collect our rental car, the fourth rental, not taxi, on this trip. Perhaps we are becoming overconfident. When we arrived at the Dollar Rental counter, we were told there was no reservation in our name. We couldn’t think of any reason why we would make a reservation in anyone else’s name. Fortunately, he was able to provide us with a car at nearly three times the price we were originally quoted. What a deal! Anyway, Denver is a good guy so he looked on his system diligently and was able to find our reservation after all—at Thrifty Car rental. Oops! We tried to explain to our editor that after much cheesecake during Shavuot, the brain ferments a little. ‘Better just say you’re sorry,’ she replied, ‘particularly because you don’t eat cheese.’ “Sorry”, my Precious. We’re pleased no one knows us on the roads. There we were, on Nimitz Highway, flagging down a Thrifty shuttle bus. The guy actually stopped. Some of things that happen on our travels…

My chance to sit and absorb it all...(I would click on this to get a better idea)

Surrounding Blues

Surrounded by great peaks--indescribable feelings

Upon arriving at North Shore, the house we booked, or the downstairs part of the house, suffered a leaking septic tank. That left us seriously in the um, in a pickle. Off we went for a walk along the beach while the cleaning and fixing process continued. There are advantages of not owning a house. Along the narrow, sloping beach, we struggled in our soaked boots as the waves were quite wild. After two miles, we sat for refreshments and reading. It was most pleasant with a gentle (for a change) breeze off the ocean cooling us. ‘We need to change our route back. We cannot deal with that soft sand again,’ we suggested to our editor. ‘Leave it to us; we’ll get you back via a firm footing.’ Two miles out and over five miles back sounds about right. We got lost for a change—horribly. Our editor was not happy to hear one of the fellows we asked for directions say, ‘You should be okay’, he replied, ‘the sun won’t set for another two hours at least.’ This was after three miles of the return journey. The funny thing is that it should not have been complicated at all. You have to hand it to our editor. She gives us leeway and when we mess up, she smiles and forgives us instantly. We can learn much from her. Above all, we think we must get an internal GPS inserted surgically into our bodies.

The local airport below from the early stages of climb--glider on its own

Up we trudged in what turned out to be a wonderful experience. We enjoyed a great climb, rock scrambling, steep hills, edges and ledges and some of the most spectacular sights possible. There are so many hidden and not so hidden gems in this blue-water and green-covered state. We gained over 2,000 feet, joined two other trails and completed just on 10 miles, the first and last part over protruding stones and rocks—tough on the soles but most rewarding for the souls. Our editor laughs when we proclaim each sighting as better than the last. She’s probably correct. Hashem’s world can really get the blood flowing.

Wide path for a change but very steep like many on this trail

Asleep at the wheel half-way up mountain--candidate for the White House

Particularly 'hits' a spot

Taking a peek from the peak

Cheers,

Jenni and her 'lost' Soul-mate