Day 9
Tourism day today, out to Hilo via the Saddle Road.
First, I had to go to Fedex at the airport. We had 3 concert tickets that we had bought prior to planning the trip. I listed the tickets on Stubhub and Craigslist and 2 of the 3 sold last night. We ended up coming out a little ahead on the deal, and I gave one buyer a free ticket in the bargain. Since the tickets sold thru Stubhub, I had to convince the manager at Fedex to let me access the internet, logon to Stubhub and print out the pre-printed Fedex shipping label. She did, it worked, and 15 minutes later I was walking out with a smile on my face.
But between that and getting gas, we lost about 1-2 hours.Hit the Saddle Road around 11 or so, after getting lost and having an argument. The Saddle Road was built by the army in WWII on an emergency basis, and conforms to no national guidelines regarding dips, sight lines, curves, banked turns, etc. Plus the first half hasn't been paved in about 35 years. Many rental car companies prohibit you from driving on it, but our guidebook and our owner said it was no big deal, so we took it. It really only matters if you are relying on their CDW, and we are not.
First, I had to go to Fedex at the airport. We had 3 concert tickets that we had bought prior to planning the trip. I listed the tickets on Stubhub and Craigslist and 2 of the 3 sold last night. We ended up coming out a little ahead on the deal, and I gave one buyer a free ticket in the bargain. Since the tickets sold thru Stubhub, I had to convince the manager at Fedex to let me access the internet, logon to Stubhub and print out the pre-printed Fedex shipping label. She did, it worked, and 15 minutes later I was walking out with a smile on my face.
But between that and getting gas, we lost about 1-2 hours.Hit the Saddle Road around 11 or so, after getting lost and having an argument. The Saddle Road was built by the army in WWII on an emergency basis, and conforms to no national guidelines regarding dips, sight lines, curves, banked turns, etc. Plus the first half hasn't been paved in about 35 years. Many rental car companies prohibit you from driving on it, but our guidebook and our owner said it was no big deal, so we took it. It really only matters if you are relying on their CDW, and we are not.
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It runs up to about 6500', between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Great views of both, and all the way back to the sea. Totally deserted country, lots of lava, dry grass and old cinder cones on the way up. You can also catch small roads up to the top of Mauna Loa (another 7000') where all the telescopes are. We didn't.
The road was in bad shape but driveable. Some moron tried to pass me going downhill approaching a one lane bridge and had to skid to avoid an accident. Damn Kids! We stopped at the top for a picnic lunch, it smelled and looked like New Mexico or Colorado, ranchland and dry pines. Met some guys who said to go to the Farmer's market in Hilo, it was a good recommendation and I ran into them there. The way down the mountain was freshly paved, graded, and brought up to national standards. Very nice. Didn't hit the gas for about 20 miles. |
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In Hilo, we first found Banyan Drive and admired the old Banyan trees planted by the likes of FDR, Nixon, Amelia Earhart, etc. Then a stop at Liliuokalani Gardens, a Japanese garden, by the sea and very nicely done.
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Then we found the farmer's market in the small downtown and spent about an hour. The girls got good deals on sarongs and other souvenir items, plus a couple of fresh limeades, ice cream and Maui onions. We stupidly forgot to get a pineapple though.
Then it was a quick tour of Rainbow falls, Boiling Pots, and Peepee Falls. (Pronounced pay-uh-pay-uh; get your mind out of the gutter.) Unfortunately, the Wailuku River that powers them was way down in volume and the attractions were not especially impressive. |
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Stopped and asked a guy where we could find the Naha Stone. It was in front of the library. The story is that an old legend foretold that the person who could lift it would become the first ruler of all the Hawaiian Islands.
Kamehameha at age 14 was able to flip it, just as the priests were getting ready to condemn him to death for trying and failing. Kamehameha then indeed went on to become the first King of all Hawaii. The stone is about 15 feet long and 2-3 feet square. Kristen tried and failed to budge it, but I forgave her and did not condemn her to death. 
Then it was on to Hilo Hattie's, a famous souvenir and clothing shop that I kind of dreaded, but was a must-do. Well, now I know why it's so popular, the bargains are outstanding. We got 3 tee shirts, a hat, a black pearl, salad tongs, sarongs, 2 tiki god souvenirs, a wood platter, Kukui nut necklace, and a keychain for about $80. We're going back on Friday on the way to the volcano.
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Back home over the Saddle Road; it didn't seem so long this time. About 1.5 hours. Went out for Thai food, about $80 and very good, but we ordered it too spicy for Kristen. She has an ice cream on the way home.
Day 10 >>>
Day 10 >>>