Sunday, May 1, 2011

Part two

Back in Anchorage. Harsh reality arriving back to temps between 0-10c, and no palms trees, or warm ocean water. A few more pics from the trip.

The "boys" of the Upcountry Cycling group checking out group member Paul's new Nissan Leaf - a completely electric vehicle.
Out comes the owner's manual to understand how the thing works.
Rainbow Eucalyptus tree along the road from Twin Falls to Hana. The best ride of the trip.
Absolutely beautiful green and lush landscape led us all the way to Hana. 67 miles total ride (roughly 107 km round trip).
Kikk and JT strike a pose with the lush coastline in the background.
JT and Kikk cruising down the road. The camera just doesn't do it justice. We had wet roads on the way out. Got soaked in the rain storm but were dry by the time we got to Hana.
A historic landsmark stop at the Hasegawa General Store in Hana....plus a chance to refill the energy stores before riding back to Twin Falls.
We met up with Julia Mancuso and Aksel Lund Svindal on enroute. Julia is just hiding behind Aksel's big frame. Over 45 World Cup Alpine podiums between the two of them. Pretty cool.
After a post rid dip in at Twin Falls.

Trade winds were quite strong on the way back to Kihei after the ride.
Heading to the falls JT spotted a chameleon. Awesome little guy.
Riding halfway up the Haleakala Volcano. From JT's spot it would be 56 miles (90 km) round trip. 22 miles were straight climb.
We started out in the sun but Haleakala creates it's own weather and we road through the clouds on the way to the top.
Ah the glorious top. After 3hrs of climbing we reached the summit. Much to the shock of the many tourists who drove up!
10,000+ ft of elevation. And sunny.
Kikk all bundled up for the 22 miles of descent.
Ready to descend.
Drying out after getting caught in the rain from 8000 to 3500 ft of elevation.
JT (Janice Tower) put the hot tub on for us...didn't even bother to get out of my bike shorts!
Having fun with the under water camera.
Kikk enjoying the hot tub time after the chilly ride down.
Our last full day on Maui. Time to paddle board again. Kikk getting the hang of it.
Finally caught a small swell that was just building. Fun fun, all the way to shore.
Afternoon snorkel session at Honolu Bay. The walk in was pure jungle...at least how I imagine it.
Love that underwater camera.
Heading towards the coral.
Just because we could.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Maui - the local way.

A few pics from our trip to Maui so far. This time around in Hawaii we are taking advantage of local connections to see the island of Maui from the insider's eyes.

Half of a kitty pairing known as Gin and Tonic. This is Gin checking out my bike to make sure it made the trip from Anchorage okay.
Anchorage native Janice Tower helps Kikk re-assemble her bike. We stayed with Janice in her upcountry cottage (www.starlookout.com - highly recommend it!) for our first 3 days.
Looking down towards the Wailea and Kihei shorelines. The cottage sits at 3000ft above sea level.
Walking home down the single lane road towards the cottage after a great lunch at Grandma's Coffee House. Opray Winfrey's place and her multiple acres sit at the end of this road. No sightings during our visit.
Ahh the sunset.
Sunset out the cottage window. Great cork collection above all the windows.
Ready for the roads of Maui. Day one 70km (40 miles actually). Decent for 20 miles and the reverse on the way back.
Tagging along with the Upcountry Cyclists....average age 65+.
I must stopped towards the end of our first ride. I think it was called the Maui winery....man did I pick a bad week to stop drinking!
Love it.
Almost back to the cottage.
Stone oven fired pizza with the upcountry cycling crew.
Day number two. A few horses were checking out the view.
Heading up the road towards Opray's. The lava rock fences give it the feel of Scotland?
A tree from India that starts with the letter B. Everything you see is the same tree. In Lahiana early on it our 59 mile West Maui loop ride (just under 100km).
Looking down on Honolu bay. Epic snorkel area.
Myself, Janice and 72 year old retired Berkley prof Bill Oldham. I hope I can ride like him when I'm 50!
One of the more scenic locations for a chuck wagon.
A must stop on the West Maui Loop ride at Lorraines (she splits our group). Grows her own bananas....$3.00 loaf of banana bread that is worth $20.
Heading to dinner in Kihei just after sunset.
Janice and Kikk getting the hang of paddle boarding
Kikk catches a wave and then her board.
Stable as a Mac truck
Kikk fights me off as we share a wave. Guess who fell?
On the search for more waves as the clouds came in.
There's one.
The Hawaiian Canoe Club sunday "breakfast" club. We met a Janice at 7:30 am along with 42 others for a traditional Hawaiian canoe session. This club has won the state championships 10 of the last 11 years. The 14 yr olds paddled to Lana'i the day before.
Heading out of the harbour.
A beach stop half way through. A much enjoyed swim for all.
6 in one of the outrigger canoe's decided to try swimming out at sea.
A group effort to bail it back out.
An even bigger group effort taking them back onto land. The 12 person double canoe require the photographer to participate as well!
Dozens of kite surfers dotting the skyline.