Wandering Wiapio Valley

Aloha,

During the time I was unable to get my blog to work I I went on a ton of adventures so now that I have made it through finals...thank goodness I can devote my time to blogging again :) 

   Four years ago I came to hawaii for a summer school program with my high school. While we went to all the scenic points like a good group of tourists and we were show interesting places such as Mauna Kea jutting 14,000 feet above us, we were not allowed to explore such places. I wanted to experience the land for what it had to offer.  I did not simply want to look down into Wiapio valley or view Mauna Kea from afar, I wanted to explore them. I wanted to feel the thick mud of the fertile Waipio valley floor squish between my toes. I wanted to stand where the fresh water flowed into the ocean creating turbid, brackish water swirling with pockets of warm ocean water and cold fresh water. I wanted to feel the cold, thin air of Mauna Kea pierce my lungs with every breath and nip at my nose as a gazed up at the stars unobscured by light pollution. Before coming I made a list of all the things I wanted to do. All the ground I wanted touch with my own bare feet and the views I wanted to marvel at with my own two eyes. I am proud to say I have almost complete that whole list and have a few days left to finish it off :) 

Waipio valley from the lookout :)

Bryce and I on the road down into the valley

The road down the valley. There is a guard
that sits at the top of the road making sure everyone
venturing down in a car is in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. 

The Road...Again

    About three weeks ago I found myself standing at the Waipio valley lookout just like I did four years ago but this time I was ready to conquer the "hike" and I say it that way because it is more like a walk down a very,very some times up to 20% grade walk down the road into the valley. The hike down the road was not all that bad. You simply had to lean back and let gavity help you work your way down the valley :) The walk down took us about 30 minuites and was absolutly beautiful! I would try to describe it but as people always say a picture speaks a thousand words. 

Where the land meets the sea. Taken from about half way into
the valley. 

Wiapio valley from the valley  

Rainbow Eucalyptus 

As we made it to the valley floor we came to a fork in the road, we had the option of either exploring deeper into the valley. Getting a glimpse of the lives of the farmers who call the valley home and exploring the waterfalls hidden along the valley walls or we could make our way to the ocean. Being my usual self, I looked at my hiking companions and said "Well why cant we do both? What else do we have to do today?" It was quickly decided and no one was opposed to my suggestion. Seeing a magnificent waterfall in what we thought was the near distance, we decided to make our way deeper into the valley first. As we worked our way down the road I found a rainbow eucalyptus, which by the way is officially my favorite plant and I even got a very special surprise, wild horses.

 A little stud, mare and filly just happened to be wandering down the road as we turned a corner. While many would believe that wold horses are skittish these horses seemed quite used to all the people in the valley and just sauntered on by me and then decided to take a little break by the stream. As we watched the filly decided to get curious and ventured into the paddock of a horseback tour group to check things out. Her investigating did not last long however for she was chased out by a dog and a little boy who were clearly in charge of the other horses. Our goal of the hike was to get to the waterfall we saw from the fork in the road so we continued walking. In short time we came to the end of the road kind of.... there was still a road there or at least what looked like people continued to drive down however it was actually a mid-shin deep river.

Walking thorough the river/road

With a few questions on if we were going the right way we decided it did not really matter, we had no other path to follow and so into the water we went. Eventually we made it to the end of the river/road and onto "dry land" once again. Then began the trek through ankle deep mud. While no one fell many of us came very close and by the time we made it to a small path branching up into the forest I was covered in a good deal of mud due to the fact that I was the "how deep is that mud" tester.

Mud tester :)

 Let me tell you as we hiked up the small trail and came upon a small fresh water pond and waterfall I have never been more excited to wash my feet or feel fresh water in my whole life. The water was cold and we all quickly waded into the waterfall to clean the mud off our bodies. While we never made it to the waterfall we set out to find in the beginning we were satisfied with the one we did find and took the same path back to the fork in the road.

Our little waterfall!!!

 This is when our second adventure began, the hike to the ocean was quick and a lot less muddy. We all were in need of a break and ate lunch along the rocks at the waves crashed upon the shore. There is nothing like a PB&J with a hint of sand and salt water to accompany it. After spending time in the water and soaking in some sun along with a little cat nap we decided it was time to face the hike once again. 

Where the river meets the ocean.

The walk back out of the valley was not quite as simple as the walk in although it was a good workout and a friend and I turned it into a little bit of a competition of who could make it to the top first/how fast we could hike back up to the top. I am proud to say we make it back to the top in exactly 40 minuets with tired legs and sore feet. Most would say that maybe shoes would have been a good option but due to blisters on the top of my feet from my shoes earlier in the day I decided to go with out. Arriving at the top a little winded, slightly sweaty, covered in dry mud and sticky from the salt water, we could not have been more satisfied with the day. 

So there y'all go! One of many adventures documented :) I look forward to sharing more with you really soon!!!

Aloha