Yearly Archives: 2007
Maalaea Bay
Looking across Maalaea Bay, evidence of the drought affecting the South-Western side of Maui, a stark contrast to the lush green rain forest on the Eastern side. This is also a perfect whale watching area. Emilia and I drove along the Honoapillani Highway, which leads to the Forbidden Road, as the rental car companies call it. One lane road with boulders falling down, not for the light hearted, but well worth the trip.
North Shore
A quiet sunset on the beach near North Shore, Oahu. We were in search of green sea turtles, but found none. The rains obscured the final sunset but made for some interesting views of the storm passing out to the ocean.
Good advice
When entering Haleakala National Park on Maui, this helpful sign provides visitors the first hint of what is to come. We passed through several layers of clouds on the way to the 10,023 foot summit. Although the crater was engulfed in clouds, we did have a magnificent view of the coast and the Big Island. Rental car companies warn you about taking their vehicles up this road and state that you must use low gear when descending. The mini-van in front of us on the way down used their brakes the entire way, we could smell the brake pads burning.
`Ohe`o Gulch
The `Ohe`o Gulch is located beyond the town Hana along the Pi`ilani Highway in East Maui. Also known as the 7 Sacred Pools of Kipahulu, the National Park Service is restoring the original name to the area as it has more than 7 pools and was never sacred to early Hawaiians. The Road to Hana takes 3-4 hours, each way, from the port town of Kahului and can be very treacherous, but well worth the adventure.
Splish splash
A baby elephant enjoys some fun splashing around in the pool in its outside habitat area at the Columbus Zoo. Mother was also partaking in the coolness of the water on this hot afternoon.
Bengal tiger
Emilia, her parents and I went to the Columbus Zoo. Came across this little kitty kat. Bengal tigers purr. Domestic cats purr when breathing in as well as out – tigers purr only when breathing out. The roar of a Bengal tiger can be heard 2 miles away.
Monarch migration
The migration of the monarch butterfly begins in Canada and the northernmost parts of the United States. The fall migration begins in late August ending in the months of November and December. The destination of the butterflies lies in Central Mexico, in the Oyamel forests. Traveling in a southwesterly direction, the monarchs fly east of the Great Lakes and south-southwest in areas west of the Great Lakes. Those that reach the gulf of Mexico follow the coastline in a continuous stream. They continue in a southwest direction eventually reaching the overwintering site in the Transvolcanic Plateau of Mexico. As many as 300 million spend the winter there.