| Hawaiian Islands log (2005-06-22 -> 2005-07-12)
Leaders: Beau Daniel and Molly Profeta
Students: Anna Belk, John Bicknell, Emily Carter, J.C. Collett, Anna Dickerson, Susan Linn, Carson McLean, Rick Pattillo, Ben Shope, Austin Turner, Alicia Vesely
Aloha from Hilo, Hawaii! So far on our trip we have had incredible views, experiences and hot magma encounters. Yesterday we traveled along the Kilaeua Iki trail led by our leaders of the day Anna Belk and Rick in Volcano National Park through a lava lake home to numerous steam holes. We then explored Thurston’s Lava Tube which extends 300 meters below the ground. For dinner chefs Carson and Emily prepared a fabulous Italian dinner to get us ready for backpacking. While dinner was cooking, Beau set up the slackline which Ben "Flicker" Shope has mastered quite quickly. John also learned how to throw a frisbee during our night light frisbee throw off.
On day 2 of our trip, we went on our first day hike. We found a plethora of lush, native Hawaiian plants including snake looking cacti. Our first dip into the ocean was in a remote beach littered with palm trees and black sand. Austin set up a slack line on the beach while others splashed in the salty, blue water of the Pacific. Anna Dickerson became known as the Microtrash Queen as she helped spread the love of picking up garbage left by others. Alicia and John have been our saving graces as they have filled countless water bottles for us to stay hydrated. Susan's enthusiasm got us so excited for the water as well as the creation of the one-of-a-kind black sand pyramid creation made with Emily and Alicia that we would like to continue the tradition for the rest of the trip.
Days 3 & 4 took us into the water 30 foot catamaran, Kamamu. We snorkled along the coastline and saw dolphins, sea turtles and a variety of vibrantly colored fish. Although a few of us got a tad bit sea-sick, we all loved sailing along the island. One custom on the Kamanu is to have an inner tube race, and this year's winning paddlers included Anna Dickerson, Emily, JC, and Austin. Rick, JC, and Austin also demonstrated their sailing knowledge as they helped the crew rig the boat.
Today we are hiking 9 miles in the Waipaio Forest to start our backpacking trip and are EXTREMELY amped (Carson) to get into the backcountry. Bob goes to school by John. Aloha.
Thursday, June 30
Aloha from Waimea! We just drove out of the beautiful city of Waipio where the trailhead for our backpacking section began. Our travels landed us in Waimanu Valley, a secluded, lush beach area 9 miles from the local surf spot. You may be thinking 9 miles is nothing, but during this trek we hiked through 6 valleys with elevation gains adding up to 1300 ft and losses of 2400 ft. Pretty strenuous!
Our first day of backpacking took us 4.0 miles in to sleep on soft pine needles after having traveled through lush, tropical land. We woke up early the next day to complete our mileage and made camp at Waimanu. After setting up tents, we quickly made it over to the beach where all of us took a much needed dip in the ocean and body surfed. Carson, JC, and Austin were the first to hit the waves, but all soon got the hang of it. Anna B. and Emily represented the girls, but Alicia and Susan were in line for the next set. We all lay out to catch some rays and watched a gorgeous sunset.
The next morning, Anna B. and Susan made delicious cinnamon rolls with a bit of nature's goodness added in. Alicia took control of stoves as she not only was the first one to step up to the task of setting one up, but also taught everyone else how to set one up! We befriended a camel named Camel, and Carson, Beau, Rick, Ben, and John made a nice home for him to stay in. We had to leave Camel at camp, but everyone hiked with his spirit.
We woke up very early this morning to avoid the blazing sun to hike out. The first mile of the journey back is straight uphill, and our group was led by Austin, JC, and Ben to the top. From there, however, Anna B., Anna D., Emily, Susan, and Alicia took us all the way home in a record time of a little less than 5 hours. John led us safely across the last river crossing to where we were finally able to take off our boots.
Tonight we are getting ready for our trip to Kauai where we will begin the final half of our trip. Aloha!
July 7, 2005
Aloha from the shores of Anini! We woke up at 4am to meet our sea kayak guides and listened to a song containing the line “from the shores of Anini” and it remains in our heads 2 days later. Although an early start had us drive down Kauai’s eastern coast to meet in Poipu, we had a spectacular day paddling as we put in at Haena, a spot on the northern tip of the island.
We then paddled down the western side known as the Na Pali Coast. This 18 mile paddle in double kayaks, the longest single day kayak trip offered in the US, showed us amazing sea caves and waterfalls as well as ancient Hawaiian burial grounds. Beau and Bicknell were the first to take a dip in the ocean making sure the water was safe for all. Each kayak rode the waves in, however JC and Molly, aka Team Octopu, caught the longest wave to date. Alicia had the privilege to paddle with one of our guides, and she learned so much about Hawaiian history. Austin and Anna D. were the first to encounter a solo dip as there was some reluctance from Anna as they went under a waterfall. Ben and Anna Belk both took turns as the drivers of the kayak with Belk receiving some tickets. At our lunch break, Austin and Beau traveled with our guides to a refreshing waterfall to rinse off the salt, but also suit as a water massage on tired shoulders. Carson was SUPER PADDLER as took care of a seasick Susie Q. She later got better, and both were superstars as they came to the rescue of JC and Molly as they tried to reenact the Beau and Bicknell show. It was an amazing day that ended with a great attempt at sailing with all of us connected as we passed the NASA station as the sun set.
The day before our stellar coast paddle, we paddled down the Waialua River where many of us enjoyed a river dip either on purpose or guided by others. 2 ½ miles in we took a hike through the lush Waialua area to our destination of a 150-foot waterfall. Rick, Austin, Carson, Ben, JC, Alicia, Bicknell, and Susie all made it in the cool water to experience the pounding of water. Everyone else sat on the mossy rocks as the watched the water show put on by the “Boys of the Camel.” It was quite an experience. During this trip, we learned a lot about the native plants on Kauai as well as how natives use them. This area is also were many shots from the movie Jurassic Park were filmed, so the kids had a blast singing the theme song as they paddled down wind.
After our water days, we head to the Kilauea Lighthouse and bird sanctuary yesterday at the Kilauea Reserve. Here we learned a lot about the native birds on the island as well as the history of the lighthouse. Please quiz your kids when they get home! Today we are headed to Waimea Valley, the Grand Canyon of Kauai. We will fill you in on it soon! Aloha!
July 11, 2005
Aloha from Poipu Beach, Kauai! We have had two amazingly successful days of surfing in gorgeous weather with one more tomorrow before everyone gets on the plane back to the mainland. After a brief dryland surf school, our fab 11 took the boards to ocean to give it a try. JC and Austin were quick to get up above the reefy shore and first to head out to deeper water along with Carson and Rick. Alicia is a pro-surfer as she consistently got up and stayed on as motivation for the ladies, and Susie and Emily were quick to follow (and quite impressive for their first times surfing.) Ms. Anna Belk surfed almost every wave to the sand, while Anna Dickerson did the same but added the poses for the Moondance catalog. Ben and Jon took their time, but eventually rode the waves giving Hawaiian "hang looses" as they surfed by. ONce back to camp, we played a mean game of Mafia which would have been just a bore had it not been for the amazing duo of Rick and Carson narrorating stories that made us laugh so hard we cried. Our bellies were ready for food to replenish our energy, and Emily and Anna B. were ready for the challenge as they prepared yummy pizzas as well as garlic dough balls. On day two of surfing, we woke to amazing cinnamon rolls prepared by Alicia and headed out back to Poipu Beach. After a brief history lesson of Hawaiian surfing culture we headed back out to catch some more waves. Yet again it was a successful day of surf and to top it off, we all went to our fav shaved ice store, Jo-Jo's, and dug in!
Prior to our days of surfing, we headed out to Waimea Canyon to visit Waipoo Falls. After an easy hour hike, we found ourselves with a grand view of the infamous canyon of red rock. Although it was the first waterfall we did not splash in, it was still beautiful to see as well as nap next to. The next day we headed over to Sleeping Giant Mountain for another day hike to catch views of the beautiful Wailua River we paddle on as well as the towns of Kapa'a, Lihu'e, and Waimea and King Kong Mountain to the north of us. It was a fantastic day for all of us. With only 2 more days of the trip, everyone is soaking up the sun as well as bodysurfing the night away. Aloha.
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