February 1 - Hawaii is green

      First of all, Amy made it back safe and sound.  The snow line was north of Columbus, so all she had was rain when she got back to the airport.  She reports her dogs were very happy to see her when she got home.  She sent us this photo:

Cheers!

      We left the west side of the big island and headed over to Waipi'o Valley, which lies on the northeast coast.  Within thirty miles you transition from semiarid wasteland (ie. feral goats balancing on pointy lava) to jungle.

 Halfway across the island you get to lush cattle country.  The lava flows are still there, but they're covered with soil and grass.

It's rather surprising to see wild turkeys on Hawaii.  They like it here; 400 were released on six of the islands in the 60's.  Now there are over 16,000.

      Further west, eucalyptus trees flourish.  There are plantations of straight-trunked eucalyptus trees in many areas.  It smells a lot like Australia.

 Like most of the flora and fauna on the islands, eucalyptus trees are introduced.

Rainbow eucalyptus.  We don't remember seeing these beautiful trees downunder.

 Along the coast in the gulches and valleys it's tropical rainforest.

 Strangler fig.

      At the end of the road heading north from Hilo we hiked down into Waipi'o Valley.  Most people descend the 25% grade asphalt road to the beach in Jeeps or other 4WD vehicles.  We walked.  It was an 800 foot descent that tightened our calves and thighs.

 From the top looking down.

 There are several small farms in the valley where traditional Polynesian crops are raised.

 Double falls at the head of the valley.

I brought my suit, but the surf was pretty high.

Nah, I don't think so.

 The old sugar cane town of Honoka'a.

When we come back to the big island some winter I'd like to hang out here for a few days.

    For now, we will be hanging around here for a couple days.  Arnott's hostel in Hilo is the place to be.  It was founded by a descendant of the inventor of Tim Tams (yes, those delectable chocolate-covered wafers from Australia that are best store-bought cookies in the world).  You can even buy them here!

     I spent much of the evening talking to Barry, a geologist who studies ancient rocks from Earth, the Moon, Mars, and meteorites, and David, a professional photographer.http://www.davidwilder.ca/

We'll be tenting here for two nights.

Hard at work.  Really.  It you could see me right now, at this very moment, this is what it would look like.