Friday, we explored Wai'anapanapa (did you know the Hawaiin language only uses 7 consonants) State Park. We hiked a fabulous trail along the coast. The area is known for it's black sand beaches from recent lava flow, blow holes, and the fresh water caves like in this picture.




After all this prettiness, Sonya was actually most excited about some outside showers she found by the bathroom. She played in these for an hour or so, giggling like crazy. Simple pleasures, I guess.

Wednesday, we woke up at 4 am to catch sunrise on Haleakala, the tall mountain in the center of Maui. It was a two a half hour drive from Hana, so we had to leave early. When we reached the top, a huge FREEZING winter storm was blasting and we could barely see a rock infront of us, let alone the sunrise. After a quick stop, we made it a beach day. Sonya was happy to play in the water again, and Suzi and I did some snorkeling. Finally, we played at a fun little luau. Sonya was HILARIOUS dancing with the girls! I have a cute video to show, but our internet connection is far to slow to download. I'll send it out later:-)

Thursday, we took Sonya to the aquarium to see the fishies up close. She made friends with a particularly curious crab and loved touching all the see stars. We stayed so long that we actually got kicked out at closing time!

We wrapped up the evening with a sunset stroll on the beach by the hotel at which I used to work. Soooo purdy!

Haleakala National Park

Tuesday, we hiked to Waimoku Falls in Haleakala National Park. It was a gorgeous sunny day. We started out with Sonya in Daddy's backpack but she started screaming "my walk!" three minutes in. She proceeded to walk a significant portion of the 4 mile hike while holding dad's hand. Passers by were VERY impressed by her stamina.

Along the way, there were tons of hidden caves, alien-looking trees, and smaller waterfalls. You can't see it in this picture, but behind Cam and Sonya, there is a huge load waterfall gushing out of a lava tube and into an underground cave.

Half way through, the hike morphed into a wild bamboo forest. It swayed as a single entity in the wind (a storm was beginning to form by that time...the rain forest we're staying in has huge storms for a couple moments, then goes back to sunshine). Just look at Sonya, still happily hiking the trail.

Here's me, Sonya, and Suzi at the falls. They had to have been well over 120 feet high. There was no where else to go after this point...we were surrounded by cliffs.

Here's Cam and Sonya in the bottom left corner to give you an impression of the view. This was one of the Wilde Family's favorite hikes ever! Pretty, pretty.

oops!

So, did you know that large amounts (not minimal spraying) of sunscreen can actually protect you from unbearable pain and suffering? Yep, Sonya (who was doused in said product) has been the only one over the past 3 days who hasn't been groaning under the blistered purple skin of a sun worshiper. Needless to say, we've been taking it easy...snail hunting in our yard, perusing the local art galleries, and complaining.

Our back yard:-)

Last night we were invited over to a "small" family home evening with some Hawaiins. The family consisted of only 45 or so kids, aunts, uncles and grandparents. It was AWESOME...by far our favorite outing on the island so far. We ate venison shot and killed by one of the sons that week. We were also laughed at as we attempted to choke down some Poi (a sour purple root vegetable with the texture of horse glue. MMMMM. Sonya, of course, kissed and hugged every child 14 times, as if her week long pergatory of 'playing with grown-ups' was finally over! We were invited to play with our new friends next Sunday and Monday also.

Saturday was our 'Beach Bumming' day...it was sunny and fabulous. We made many attempts at boogie boarding. I took one hard spill that folded me into a backward pretzel and filled my suit with about 12 lbs. of sand. Sonya made tons of friends, played in the sand, and was fearless in the water.


Next we went caving in a lava tube. Sonya love the stalagtites and didn't seem to be scared of the dark at all.


At the end of the day, we stopped by a road side hut for some fresh ice cream. Mmmmm...Sonya had obviously missed this diet staple.

Today, we played a little in Haleakala National park. When we arrived, the main attraction (Seven Sacred Pools) was completely dried up. While eating lunch in the nearly empty park, the rangers started freaking out excitedly. Appearently, the pools have been dry since November due to drought (something which has never happened in recent history) and, at that very moment, a flash flood was coming down the mountain to fill the pools and empty into the ocean. We watched history in the making as each pool filled with water, overflowed, then filled the one below it and so on. It was AWESOME! Hopefully, the pools will be ready for swimming by early next week!


Susan and I hiked upstream to get a better look at the waterfalls, while Cam and Sonya played at the delta. Rain PELTED down on us most of the time...it was warm and glorious!

Hello from our first full day in Maui, Hawaii! Sonya is having a blast (and so are we!)


This ocean view is just steps from our cute little cabin. We have a stunning garden with bananas, mangos, and avocados actually growing on trees!!! Did you know they did that!?!? Anyway, just gorgeous. We will send pictures out over the next two weeks!