Because we’re in the “bonus round” of our vacation, we took our time getting up this morning. Since we had missed our reservations for sunrise at Haleakala, we decided to head up the mountain anyway—just during the day instead.
Our first stop was the town of Makawao, located on the slopes of Haleakala. Makawao is known for its cowboy (paniolo) heritage and vibrant arts community, with plenty of shops and galleries to explore. One must-visit spot is Komoda Store & Bakery, which has been in operation since 1916 and is famous for its cream puffs. The main reason we planned Makawao for today was simple: the bakery is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. We spent a couple of enjoyable hours shopping, eating, and soaking in the town’s charm before it was time to head up the volcano.
When we began our ascent, the temperature was in the high seventies. As we climbed higher, we ran into quite a bit of fog, which made the drive a little more adventurous.
After about thirty minutes of navigating the winding road, we reached the summit at 10,023 feet above sea level—where the temperature had dropped to a chilly 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Karen and I have been here before at sunrise and sunset, so visiting in the middle of the afternoon was a very different experience. There were far fewer people, which made it even more enjoyable. After taking many, many photos, it was time to start our descent.
We didn’t go far at first, stopping at the visitor center parking area at 9,740 feet. This is where most people end up for sunrise, since summit parking is extremely limited and requires arriving very early. When we arrived, the weather was clear and sunny—but before long, the clouds rolled in. We waited patiently, and just as quickly as they appeared, the clouds cleared again. As a bonus, we were treated to a rainbow.
Since Karen drove on the way up, I got the pleasure of driving down the volcano. The descent was a bit hairy at times due to rain and fog, and you also have to keep an eye out for cows that may appear on the roadside—or even right in the road. Once we were back down at sea level, we made a stop at Costco to pick up any remaining souvenirs, which mostly meant various forms of macadamia nuts.
For dinner, Nana and Joan enjoyed leftovers from the day before, while Karen and Darlene picked up takeout from Joey’s Kitchen. We wrapped up the day with some turtle time and relaxed in front of the television—a perfect ending to a memorable day.
Be First to Comment