The Island of Maui

I have visited the Hawaiian Islands multiple times and have enjoyed every visit.  The overall climate is perfect: tropical, but not with oppressive heat and humidity.  The scenery is beautiful; the amenities are well-organized; there are a wide variety of activities to enjoy.  Sort of a huge version of Disney World.  Of the islands, Maui is my favorite.  It is the second largest island in area; is centrally located, and includes diverse climate and vegetation variations.
On our recent trip we hiked a beach trail near Kapalua, went whale watching out of Maalaea harbor, drove the winding north coast road to Hana, drove above the tree line to Haleakala crater at 10,000' altitude, had a great restaurant luncheon near the small town of Paia, enjoyed the neighborhood and beaches near our condo at Kamaole, and swam & snorkeled further south at Makena beach.  Many other activities are also available.  I had my first encounter with a stand-up paddleboard (SUP); still have much to learn.

Hiking near the north end of Kapalua beach trail.  The island of Molokai is in the background.  We also saw whales spouting off the coast near here.

Meghan and I, in an imitation of a "Tough Mudder" event, slogged four miles of Pipiwai Trail (south of Hana) to the 400' high Waimoku waterfall.  In this rain forest area it had rained daily for the past month, and the trail (up the mountainside) was a sea of mud in places.  Bamboo forest surrounds much of the trail.

The drive to Hana is an event in itself.  There are 50+ one lane bridges to cross on this winding road through lush rain forest.  Expect to average about 20mph.

Looking west at sunset from Makena beach, the islet of Molokini and island of Kahoolawe are included in the view.  The island of Lanai is visible when looking further north.

We brought our masks & snorkels, but forgot to rent swim fins (hard to pack in a suitcase) before going to Makena beach.  The snorkeling appeared good, but without fins I couldn't maneuver properly in the wind, waves, and current off this rocky point.  We missed being able to adequately explore the area and take some better pictures.

Sunset at Kamaole beach near our condominium.  On previous visits to Maui, we stayed at Lahaina and Kaanapali.  Dawn says she preferred Kaanapali, but I think it was just that we stayed in a nicer condo in a better groomed area.  Wailea would be comparable.

The crater on Haleakala is huge and desert-like, miles across.  The photo is looking east; Hana and Waimoku falls are beyond the far edge of the crater.  Temperature at the crater was in the 50's.

From the top of Haleakala you can look southeast to see the snow-capped peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa (not shown, but just to the right) on the big island of Hawaii.

We were able to watch windsurfers in the big waves off the beach while having lunch at this scenic restaurant.

 

Washington, D. C.

Washington, DC, is a place I enjoy visiting; always teeming with activity and always growing.  The parks and museums are interesting; many places to visit.  As the focus of our nation's wealth and power, lobbyists, unions, trade organizations, NGOs, international organizations, and every other conceivable group have representatives here to play their part.  The city is highly stratified economically and racially.  Growing wealth pushes poorer citizens out from the center of the city as tenements are re-developed into high end condos. My son & his wife live in a predominantly Hispanic section of the city near subsidized housing; priced out of more affluent neighborhoods.  For some reason, the residents of subsidized housing seem unwilling or unable to pick up their discarded trash along the sidewalks.  Sirens are surprisingly frequent as police and fire personnel are called out to minister to semi-conscious drunks and other minor disturbances.  Modern buildings experience few real fires; thus, the medical & rescue service helps justify more city personnel in these departments. 

It was a Thankgiving visit with cold, blustery weather.  And I caught a virus; spent much of the visit resting.  But our hotel was beautifully decorated, and Rock Creek Park is directly adjacent; thus we had pleasant surroundings and were able to take a long walk in the park every day.  While DC is a place we enjoy visiting, we are also glad to leave and return to Colorado.