RAINBOW FALLS & BOILING POTS

...Day 151 continued: Thursday April 14, 2011

 Rainbow Falls

Rumor has it, at sunrise if you come to Rainbow Falls you will see a rainbow.  This place was pretty neat, located right in the middle of Hilo.  I didn't test out the rainbow theory because we visited this spot in the afternoon.  It was our third hike that day.  Most people will just go to the lookout platform which requires only about 25 feet of hiking; however, I am not everyone...

 

 Boiling Pots

If you follow the moderate trail for a few minutes, you'll reach the top of the waterfall.  Some of the locals talked about this spot but also advised that without warning, a flash flood could sweep down the river and carry you over the waterfall.  This made sense because in the rain forest above, it rains all day.  Meanwhile, Hilo experiences off and on rain all day.  That combination could be deadly.  Nevertheless, I took my chances as you would expect me to.  As I was crossing, I couldn't help but think of the warnings that I heard and then it occured to me, how did some of these higher water pools fill up with water if a quick flash flood did not fill the river.  Yikes...

The scariest part was moving forward and then looking back...

 

 The roar was loud and I would never hear a flood if it approached..

 Look mom, no hands!

Ok, that will be close enough...

This was a great day full of adventure.  Before we checked into our Hilo Hotel, we added a fourth quick hike on the day:

 

 Coconut Island

This is not really a place to brag about.  It's located right in the middle of town and the coolest part about it is that you have to walk across a bridge to reach the park.  There were some pretty interesting facts that we discovered here.  For example, the last two huge Tsunamis that hit this island were in 1982 and 1974, the years Jess and I were born.  There was a tree that showed the height of all the recorded tsunamis and in 1940something the sea level raised 26 feet!  Sick!

 

After checking into our hotel we still had enough time to check out the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory.  I read articles about the self guided tour and I do concur, quite boring.  I also read articles about how cheap they were inside by only offering two samples.  Well, that is absolutely incorrect.  I was offered, and ate, enough samples that I only ended up eating an appetizer for dinner that night.  Let's face it, if you are going to go to Hawaii, you're going to leave with some macadamias.  Just be assertive here, show that you are interested and they will feed you :)

After a long day, what's better than kicking back and watching a movie?  Other than two downtown restaurants, everything in town is closed!  However, the movie theater is open and only charges a $1.50 per flick.  It wasn't much of a theater; even the screen in Port Angeles by the Pudget Sound is larger than this.  Not complaining though, we had a good time.  In fact, we noticed at least 5 old school movie theater building condemned on this island.  We were glad this one was open!   

AKAKA FALLS

Day 151 continued: Thursday April 14, 2011 

Welcome to the jungle--the rain forest...  En route along the 19 from Kona to Hilo, you will pass the turn off for Akaka Falls.  In about 10 minutes the drive will slowly climb 2000 feet, dropped the sunny coastline temperature by 10 degrees and the mist in the air will become a shallow rain; perfect conditions for hiking!

The hike itself is easy.  Disappointing, it's all paved with stairs.  However, this is good for older people and young children.  The bad news is if you get stuck behind them climbing the stairs back up, your journey may take you twice as long.  Ok, it's that bad and the elevation gain is can't be much more than 100 feet.  The entire circle route is a mile at best...

 Kahuna Falls

Kahuna falls is a hidden 100 foot waterfall.  The view from the trail is mostly obstructed by the overgrown forest.  There is no way to gain a better vantage point from the park.  However, the valley below is wide open and something tells me that there should be another way to view this majestic wonder.  It would appear that from the top of the falls you would be able to see right into the ocean...  That said, the circle route takes you around to the 442 foot cascading Akaka Falls.  I mean, wow!  The thunderous roar of the water filling up a bowl in the middle of the jungle will simply put you in awe...

DAY 151: POLULU VALLEY LOOKOUT

Day 151: Thursday April 14, 2011 

 Pololu Valley Lookout

This is a must visit if you're an avid hiker!  Be sure to bring sturdy shoes and be prepared to immediately drop 400+ feet.  This was our first encounter with a black sand beach; awesome!  It only takes about 20 minutes to reach the bottom but be prepared for a steep, hot hike back up.  Round trip is less than 2-miles.  Pololu Valley is located at the Northern part of the Island.  From Kona, take the 19 North and then continue north on 270.  Follow the 270 past the 28 mile marker all the way to the end and you'll run right into it.  Watch your speed in the marked spots.

Dangerous riptides, be careful!

Much to explore down here!

 

A local had just climbed a tree and then hacked open a coconut.   He offered me a sip and I obliged.  Let me tell you, the stuff you buy in a can at the store does not compare to this natural electrolyte liquid.  Refreshing!  The locals mentioned that the valley below offers miles of hikes.  We didn't have all day here, but I'm sure the hiking would be good.  Also, I was told that  up top is a hidden waterfall.  It would have been nice to search for it; but our day was not done... (I will continue the entries this weekend)...

7 Days in HAWAII: THE BIG ISLAND

 Green Sand Beach

Day 148: Monday April 11, 2011
Before Jess and I left to Hawaii, we spent a couple hours running the dogs and kids at Camino Real.  This blogpost confirms that the tire swing in the gully is still in full action.

Day 149: Tuesday April 12, 2011
In our seven days in Hawaii, Jess and I hiked an estimated 30+ miles and snapped over 1000 pictures. Thanks to the Newlywed Game, we stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa.  If you missed the episode, click here:

Jeremy & Jess on Newlywed Game 

We circled the entire island and I must say, this was the best overall family resort on the Big Island.  However, we stayed in the Ocean Tower, which is the furthest away from the main lobby.  It took us a while to figure the resort out.  To get to your room, you could take a tram, a boat or walk.  If you walk the wrong way, it could take you 20 minutes to reach the breakfast buffet!  Needless to say, I got my hike in on Tuesday :)

Day 150: Wednesday April 13, 2011

• Kahaluu Beach Park:  About 10 minutes south of Kona, this is a great place to snorkle; and it's free to the public!.  Essentially, this is how we began our adventure.  After about an hour of taking underwater pictures, which I do not have back yet, we turned back to shore.  I hit shallow water and was forced to quickly stand up.  I was wearing sandals because I didn't have fins and the waves instantly ripped my sandal off and I was forced to land on my bare foot.  Ouch!  What a #@!!  I ripped a hole on the pad under my big toe.  10 days later, the skin still hasn't grown back over.  Needless to say, hiking was difficult because I was forced to walk on my heal all trip!  That said, it was still worth it and I would recommend this spot to snorkle.
• White Sands Beach at Laaola Bay

Catch a wave!  What foot injury?  This was the perfect little beach with soft white sand just south of Kona, or shall I say Kailua-Kona.  We hung out here for a while before our UFO Parasail adventur!  What a great day, despite the injury.  Kona was a fun town filled with places to eat, shop and drink.  We did all of the above :)

Day 146: Santa Barbara Zoo

DAY 146: Saturday April 9, 2011

It was nice visiting the Zoo.  The SB Zoo is perfect for a couple hour treat.  It's not particularly big, for a zoo.  You won't tire yourself here out like you would in San Diego.  That said, we parked outside the main parking lot (saved $5 bucks) and walked around the park as well.  I managed 3+ miles today.  It's been a long while since I've had a real good hike.  I am due, but for now, Zoo Pictures:

These Penguins go to USC  :)

Catchup:

DAY 143 & 144: Running through the hills of Arroyo Verde.  I didn't hide any treasure on these days.

Friday, DAY 145: A soccer game at Kimball Park.  Me versus the family; they cheated, so I quit :)

Today, Sunday DAY 147:  Nice Sunshine at Mound Elementary.  Alyssa and Ayden each played soccer at Balboa.  In between games, playground and some backyard soccer practice.  I'm starting to get pretty good at this.

**I will not likely update for at least 2 weeks.  Tuesday, we leave for Hawaii!  I should have some great pics and good trail descriptions.  Stay tuned!

DAY 141 & 142

Day 141: Monday April 4, 2011:

I managed to swing by Carpinteria again:

Three days in a row for Carp.  Two days were loaded with Soccer & Seals!  Alyssa's Viper Team won the Beach Cup for 2011.  She made the papers:   http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/apr/04/youth-roundup/
The article doesn't give many details, nor does it mention her name but I have video to prove it!  She is listed on the AYSO website with pictures; but this is a hiking blog...

Tuesday Day 142:  Back to Arroyo Verde.  Once again, covering most of the same familiar footsteps but today I covered the vast field in a game of, soccer.  It was Jess and I versus Alyssa and her teammate.  After an hour and a half of battling, we called it quits with the score 22-20.  The kids were ahead but we agreed to play to 30 win by two and I am determined to complete and finish this game at a later date.  Honestly, the game whipped my butt!

**Coming soon: HAWAII!!!   Next week!  I will have seven full days with my wife to conquer new territory.  Yes, I'll sip on a few frozen ones but we'll also hit the waves, trails, waterfalls, volcanoes, white sand, black sand & green sand.  It's going to be excellent!

Day 139 & 140: Back to Carp!

DAY 139: Time to check on the Seals

 

 

Alyssa had a Soccer Tournament in Carp this weekend.  Another cold, wet Tourney but they won!

 

I hiked about 3 miles + 100feet each day with Jess and Ayden.  We hiked some of the open field trails in addition to the main route.  There are dozens of trails that cross over the open space before reaching the train tracks.  We still have several more possible ways to trek before completing this area.

Thru Day 138: Arryo Verde Complete; for now

Rewind: Picture updates:

Day 132: There's a treasure hidden up there...

Day 134: There's a clue hidden behind me

Day 136: There is a clue hidden off this trail

 

Don't set out to search for these clues.  This park is vast and you'll never find them without specific instructions.  I will incorporate the clues and game with the "SEAL TREASURES" section on www.SEALtheBeach.com

The weather has been great.  It gradually went from the 50's and rain on Day 128 to 80's and sun on Day 138: Friday April 1, 2011.  Here are a few more pictures of Arroyo Verde:

www.SEALtheBeach.com

One step closer.  We finally decided on a website and the site is nearly ready for public view.  Over the next three years we will be distributing approximately a million brochures from San Diego to San Luis Obispo.  To help support the SEAL the Beach campaign through Donation and/or Petition, please log onto www.SEALtheBeach.com

**Still hiking the Verde.  I have some pictures and I will try to update this weekend...