Yesterday we hiked a rollercoaster. Let me explain. We knew that this hike was going to be a challenge because it was listed as four miles each way, but what-the-heck we were going to give it a try. Hiking the half mile through the park to the trail head seemed like a cakewalk after the Kuliouou Trail.   

What the website failed to disclose was that this four mile trail was one rollercoaster drop and climb after another.

Some of them along some pretty narrow and scary ridges.

But the weather was beautiful with wild flowers all along the way

  

and this trail like all of the others had breathtaking (no pun intended) views around every bend.

However, after about two hours (3 miles) of the uphill scrambling, gasping, and sweating and the downhill skidding and sliding,  we decided that stubborn and determined was one thing and being just stupid and not being able to get back was another, so we called it quits and headed back the way we came.

We had packed a lunch so, on the way back, we stopped to eat at a shelter built by the Boy Scouts.

The view, of course was lovely. We sat, gazed, and communed with nature as we ate.

 Then we hit the trail again.

Four hours, 6.3 miles, and climbs of 1400 feet in elevation after we started, we crawled back into our little silver Stratus and headed home in defeat… heavy sigh. Okay, that was a little dramatic. Actually, we didn’t feel too bad about not finishing – there’s always next time – NOT!

But there is always another trail and another adventure.