Missing Something?

We had the opportunity to go Chicago for Chicagopex a couple of weekends ago.  And, whenever the two of us travel, we often amuse ourselves by observing.  

Yes, you heard me correctly.  Observing.

Sometimes we try to pay attention to the number and types of raptors we see as we travel down the road.  We've been known to play the "license plate" game (how many different states have we seen and can we catch the elusive Alaska plate?).  How many people are looking at their phones as they pass us or we pass them?  Are there any interesting signs along the way?  

We don't just limit ourselves to those thing.  Sometimes we're just doing what we can to be open to the unexpected.  Or, there are the moments where we do a double take... "Did you just see that?"

We had one such experience as we got into the car to begin our trip back to the farm.  I noticed a very large flag rippling in the breeze and my brain told me something wasn't quite right.  Apparently, according to this flag, one of the United States fell off in the wash.

No, seriously, check the third row from the bottom.  There's only 49 stars on that flag.  

If you count from left to right and top to bottom, this would be the 35th state, West Virginia - if we can actually assign the stars in that order.  According to the American Legion, there isn't any official rule for this, but they indicate that it makes sense if you want to do it.

I certainly have nothing against West Virginia.  But, it appears someone with a flag making factory is holding a grudge.

Spring Sneak Peak

Just last week, Tammy and I had the opportunity to see into the future.  We drove south to Alabama so Tammy could attend a Social Work conference.  I, on the other hand, was able to continue with my PAN job since I work remotely for them anyway.  

Once we got to the St Louis area, we saw hints of Spring that included the white flowers on the dogwood trees.  Continuing further south, we noticed more leaves budding out in the bushes and plants in the understory.  Some reddish flowering bushes and trees began to make their appearance too.  By the time we got to Birmingham it was clear that most trees were seriously contemplating opening their leaves.

We drove through the area where daffodils were in full bloom and by the time we were to our destination, they were pretty close to done with their flowering peak.

The drive was long enough that we didn't feel we had quite enough time to make it a leisurely trip.  But, on the way back, we did stop at the Natural Bridge Park in northern Alabama.  It was a beautiful day and we needed to stretch our legs a bit.  I don't think anyone could blame us for wanting to walk around a little while in ideal temperatures - not too warm and not too cold.  

It was Goldilocks for weather conditions.... just right.

There was a stream that we could meander around, watching the butterflies and moths flitting around.  And, we were able to listen to some birdsong we don't typically hear in Iowa on our farm. 

We had to pay a few dollars each to enter the trail since this is not a publicly held park.  However, the price was reasonable and we understand that resources are required to maintain trails, bathrooms and a reasonable access road.

We took a short walk to the sandstone land bridge, but we did not continue beyond that even though there was more trail to follow.  We were, after all, still in Alabama and we had a long ways to go to get back to Iowa.  Time was pressing, even if we were trying to promote the illusion of relaxing in the natural world.

The land bridge itself is maybe more of a cave that has areas where the roof is no longer in place, so we could walk around inside the sheltered portion.  The caretakers have put up railings and arranged a path along the back wall so you can circumnavigate this natural structure.  It was interesting to note one tall, thin tree that was rooted in the base of the cave and growing through one of the openings to join its siblings to form a tree canopy.

There was water dripping in places and moss on the walls.  

And speaking of those walls, we noted some very interesting patterns.  My latent geologist was just itching to try to figure out how and why those patterns came to be.  Maybe some day, I will.  But, until that time, I'll just share a picture to tide us all over.

The walk itself was fairly short, but the terrain around and inside the rock formation was difficult for Tammy, in particular.  The whole process of riding in a car for hours and then trying to walk around in uneven terrain is still a challenge - just a reminder that recovery is continuing.

Once we reached a point where the need to keep the momentum for traveling going overwhelmed our need to relax in nature, we got back in the car and kept the windows slightly open.  And as we drove back North, we went back in time - watching as Spring reversed itself.  Upon arrival at the farm, we found very little greenery.  Our daffodils are only two inches above the surface of the soil and the Pasque Flowers can only be found if we move some of the leaf debris that still surrounds them.

So, we will get to watch Spring unfold a second time.  And it will be worth it.

Not a Fluke - Walk There Again

We took a day of rest after our Canyon Trail achievement and then headed back to Keonelona Bay (aka Shipwreck Beach) and the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail to close out our Kauai "walk there agains."  We made sure to get there early so we could avoid some of the heat.  Much of this trail is exposed and collects a lot of sun.  So, it pays to get an early start and it is important to carry lots of fluids to stay hydrated.

This time around, we had the goal of getting to the area where the trail can be accessed at the Makauwehi Cave.  In our prior walk from Keoneloa Bay, we only got to the Heiau Ho'ouluia (Heiau is a sacred Hawaiian site) just prior to the golf course portion of the trail.  This particular Heiau was likely a place of worship where offerings were made to the god of the sea to ensure good fishing - and yes, I am sure I have simplified it too much.

Before I go much further, this region of Kauai has been under threat to be developed in a fashion that is similar to the neighboring Poipu area.  I appreciate the work of Malama Mahaulepu that seeks to preserve this area and find a cooperative use plan that works to protect natural and cultural features while allowing folks, like ourselves to appreciate this land and its unique features.

Most hiking sites will rate this trail as a fairly easy one to walk.  This is, technically, true.  However, it does have its technical aspects.  The first portion can be loose sand, which has its own challenges - especially if you run into some roots or rocks just under or at the surface.  The rest of the trail can have rock and root obstructions like most Kauai hikes.  

That means it can be easy to catch your foot on something and you can stumble or fall.  If you fall on some of the sharp rocks, it could be quite painful.

That said, we both did just fine with only a few mild stumbles each.  The general rule for us is to keep an eye on the ground while walking.  If you want to look at things - stop and let yourself look.  It's worth it.

Most of my picture taking this time around happened after the Heiau.  This photo is looking back at the area we walked to get to the golf course.  Part of the Heiau can be seen in the distance where the black rocks are. 

And this is the view of the cliff edges near the golf course portion of the walk.  When we take shorter walks on Mahaulepu this ridge is often seen in the background of our photos.

While we were walking on the edge of the golf course, we noted a Cane Toad that was looking a little unhappy with its lot in life.  These toads were introduced to Hawaii in an effort to control Sugar Cane Beetles on Oahu in 1932.  Since then, these toads have spread to the other islands, apparently appreciating the habitat golf courses provide.

No, seriously, I am not kidding.  With the watering regimens and the low-cut grass, these toads are pretty happy.  Originating in South America, they are indiscriminate eaters -  whatever they can catch and swallow will work.  And, no, they didn't end up helping with the Sugar Cane Beetles all that much.  And before you think I know all of this stuff magically, I will point you to this excellent web article.  According to that work, ticks that are natural parasites for Cane Frogs have somehow found their way to the big island of Hawaii.

And no, I didn't see any ticks on this toad.  It didn't seem to be of a mind for me to look either.

There are also cactus in the southern portion of the island.  This might seem to be odd considering how wet much of the island is, but there are areas that have very low annual rainfall amounts, making it a good place for cactus.  

I believe this is a hedge cactus, but I couldn't get close to it and I am no expert in that area.  If it is a hedge cactus, it was introduced from Central America.  If this blog is accurate, when some of the sugar cane land was converted to grazing in the early 1900s, cactus were imported to provide a durable food source for the cattle in times of drought.

After the golf course portion of the walk, there is a brushy portion where we hiked in a tunnel of plants for a short while, followed by this brushy area where I found the cactus.  The trail here was level, but it had just enough surprises in the trail surface that we still had to pay attention to where our feet were going.  But, that's okay, we couldn't see much over the brush on either side of the trail at this point anyway.

As we emerged from this portion of the trail, we were re-introduced to blue.  

The color of the Pacific can change depending on how agitated it is, how deep it is, and how much sun there is at any given time.  This area gets lots of sun, so we are often shocked by the deepest blues that keep drawing us to look.

But, the rocks and obstructions in the trail become more frequent at this point too.  So, we exercised our neck muscles.  Look down to place foot.  Look up to see the blue sky and blue water.  And repeat.

I took a few moments to try and capture a few photos and Tammy walked ahead - so I took a picture with Tammy in it to provide further proof that she was taking this walk - and doing quite well!

In the background is the Black Mountain, Ha`upu.  There is no hat on Ha`upu today, so the some of the areas that use it to predict coming rainfalls aren't likely to see any moisture any time soon.  In fact, during this particular walk we saw very few clouds.  Just the occasional white puff-ball that Wai`ale`ale released from the center of the island so it could go floating out towards the sea.

And speaking of the sea.  Tammy ordered up some whale sightings for our walk too.  

Okay.  What she really did was say, "this would be a good day and a good place to spot some whales."  And then, we looked, and saw some whale spouts.  

Goal for the trip: see some whales.

Check. 

Yes, the ocean is pretty big.  No, I didn't have a giant lens on the camera.  So this is what a person gets for a whale sighting if you are using the unaided eye (or a normal camera lens).  Neither of us has any problem with that.  It is simply thrilling to see the evidence of their existence and their activity and that's good enough for us.

It's like checking with a friend to be sure they're still ok.  Well, the whales are still around - it's a good thing.

We have also had the chance to see Green Sea Turtles (Honu) now and again.  But, usually it's tough to spot them or see much more than their head poking out of the water.  Often it is just a shadow image if you just happen to look just right into the waves.  If you don't manage to look at the right time and place, you won't see them.

On this walk, they must have heard my comment that it would be nice to get a really good look at a Honu.  So, this one obliged us (or maybe it was more than one) a few times.  Enough for us to be shocked to see one so clearly and recover from the shock to get the camera ready.  

Once again, no big lens.  But, this gives you an idea of what our eyes could see.  

In my opinion seeing Honu is a big deal, as they are an endangered species with a population that was drastically reduced by poaching.  It's a bit like seeing a Bald Eagle in Iowa.  I remember the time when being able to view this raptor even once in my lifetime was a dream I wasn't sure could be fulfilled.  The recovery of the Bald Eagle population has been encouraging - perhaps the Honu are seeing a rebound as well?

The Honu also plays an important role in the stories of the Hawaiian culture.  The great fisher Aiai created the honu by drawing its figure on a rock by the water.  Because the honu is part of the earth, it must return to land to lay its eggs (see pages 238-9 in this book).

After this event, we discussed another critter we hadn't seen in the water - dolphins. 

And they showed up not long after that discussion.  We think this was a group of Bottleneck Dolphins.  A rough count put their number somewhere around a dozen.  These intelligent creatures have a complex language of whistles and clicking sounds and each individual has unique characteristics to its voice.

The two of us, on the other hand, were not swimming in the ocean like the Honu, or the wales, or the dolphins.  Instead, we were walking the red-brown earth.  We did our best to respect the plants that tenaciously clung to the soil, though we did gratefully accept the shade when a larger tree or bush offered it.

And when our eyes were not drawn to the sky or the water - or Haupu (the mountain), we took our time to recognize the green and growing things around us.  After all, we are growers and caretakers of the land.  It is only natural for us to check in with the plants on the trip.

I noted that many of the grasses towards the end of our walk displayed these seed heads and I found them to be interesting.  I have no idea what they are, whether they are native, introduced or invasive.  Instead, they just were there.  Carving a little niche for themselves next to a few small trees we were using to take a break from the sun.

And sometimes, that's enough for me to know.

This walk was a little different for us in that we didn't just concentrate on making it BACK to our starting point.  We did take time to look at sea creatures and we stopped at some of the beautiful overlooks.  This departure from what had become the norm is another significant step in Tammy's recovery.  It meant we weren't overly concerned about making it back to the starting point.

It meant that we were confident that we could complete the hike without worrying if we had gone too far.

Tammy's rehab progress on Kauai was not a fluke - but the whales have them (flukes).  And we'd like to keep it that way.

Achievement Unlocked - Walk There Again

 

As Tammy and I planned our walks for this trip to the island of Kauai, we carefully considered how much the repaired Achilles and all of the OTHER muscles, tendons, joints and bones required to hike could take.  We both agreed that the Kuilau Ridge Trail was a reasonable and realistic goal and we would be disappointed if we did not manage it.  The Canyon Trail and the hike to the top of Waipo'o Falls, on the other hand, was purely aspirational.  

In fact, I was a little hesitant to suggest it at first - and I believe I didn't.  I think Tammy suggested it.  So we gave it a go after having several other successful walks.

So, the foot makes another appearance at a new location post-surgery.  We actually had to start by walking a 4-wheel drive road to the trail head for the Canyon Trail.  This road has a reasonably steep grade and is not a perfectly smooth surface.  So, walking it was a non-trivial exercise to begin with.  

Don't get me wrong, hikers with some experience are going to say it's no big deal.  And, as long as you pay attention to where you are going AND remember that the downward slope becomes an upward slope when you return - all will be well.

Every so often, a four-wheel drive vehicle might pass as you trudge down (or up) the road.  We saw a two-wheel drive going down as well.  Sure, you CAN do it if you're really careful, it isn't too wet AND you're kind of lucky.  But, you really shouldn't - just think of the poor folks who have to get you OUT of there if you do get stuck.  

On the return up the road we met a couple where the guy grumbled that they should have driven down to the trail head and said something along the lines of "I don't care about the car, it's only a rental."  

Yeah.  Maybe we'll talk about that in another blog someday.  But, today is NOT that day!  Today, we talk about SUCCESSES!

There were lots of Koa trees on this walk.  I think I mentioned them in the post about the Iliau walk, where there were some smaller specimens.  On this walk, there were numerous, larger Koas - some of which were leaning significantly due to one storm or another.

I am pleased that I became more in tune with recognizing and appreciating Koas each time we went by them.  This part of Koke'e and Waimea Canyon has plenty of them, which I found pleasing and somewhat reassuring for a whole host of reasons.  One of them is the idea that Koa trees have a long history in (and of) this place and it is in their interest to serve as tree guardians here.

As we walked down the road, I found a flower preparing to open.  There was another open flower, further back from the road, so I opted to take a picture of this one.  

It turns out this is a bloom of the Glory Bush, which is considered a concerning invasive species in this area.  That's yet ANOTHER topic I can talk about in a blog.  But, for the purposes of this blog and walk, this bloom actually has a positive purpose.  

Here it suggests that something beautiful is in our future.  And it was actually important at this early stage because Tammy was already second-guessing the decision.  You see, we've walked this trail in the past and she was already very worried about some of the steeper portions on the trail itself.

Since we were staying on the West-side of Kauai, it was easier for us to get an early start into the Waimea Canyon.  We were the first to park in the area where the main Koke'e road meets with this road to the Canyon Trail.  The sun was still lighting the world around us at a fairly steep angle, giving the camera person (me) something to play with once in a while.

Broad leaves were covered in dew drops and there was actually steam rising from some of the low growing plants near the main road when we started.  It wasn't terribly cool (low 60s) but we could see our own breath as we walked.

Speaking of walking.  There is a reason this trail was aspirational rather than a practical goal.  Like most Kauai natural trails, there are obstacles that require attention.  There are rocks embedded in the hard-packed, red earth.  That earth itself could often be damp, making it a slipping hazard.

And there are roots that are exposed throughout the trail itself.  They weren't an issue on the road portion (of course), but once you reach the trail, it's a common hazard.

But, as I said before, most of the Kauai trails have these hazards.  Which means we had already accomplished handling them.  

As Tammy is demonstrating at a later point in the hike, there is some climbing to do (both up AND down).  I wasn't able to take a picture that really illustrated that issue for the wooded portion of the trail. In those areas, you have rocks, roots, slippery surfaces AND some decent steps up and down.  That meant there was a fair amount of starting, stopping, and assists from Tammy's hiking partner (me).

For all of you folks who have healthy Achilles tendons, even you might feel some of this workout.  Now consider that Tammy had hers reattached about six months prior to this hike. She has had to re-teach herself how to walk and use her legs.  I am not entirely sure I can impress upon you how difficult this was and how proud I am of her determination and effort - all while being very aware of her limits so we would know if we had to return before reaching the ultimate goal.  In fact, reaching the goal was in doubt several times along the trail.

Getting back to the walk.  We have found that the sky at the Waimea Canyon can be a very deep blue earlier in the day.  Of course, it was NOT nearly so early once we got to the ridge that leads to the Waipo'o Falls (shown above).  But, it was still early enough that the facing ridge was in shadow - which means Rob could get some pictures of the deep-blue Kauai skies.

So, I talked a little bit about Tammy's Achilles challenges.  Let's now talk about the challenge I had to deal with.  

I am not terribly fond of heights.

Yep.  That's a long ways down.

If you want that perspective, you can read this slightly whimsical version of this hike in 2013 where little birds and goats mocked me as we took this walk.

Let's just say that I can understand how this rock and tree, apparently best buddies, can appreciate the views of the canyons from some great seats.  But, I am not certain I could handle the stress of being that close to the edge.

At least the sky is a nice blue.

Once we got to this point, we stopped in some shade and sat on a nice rock that had situated itself FURTHER form the edge (thankyouverymuch).  We both agreed that Tammy had reached her goal (and possibly her limit) at this point and perhaps she would wait here while Rob went ahead and got a few pictures to share with her.

So, I hiked down the ridge to an interior trail that leads to this little waterfall that fills a shallow pool.  

The good news is, I've done this hike before, so I knew what to expect as far as the trail was concerned.  The first time around, I didn't know where we had to go, so there was a fear that you'd take a wrong turn and experience gravitational acceleration in an up-close and personal way.  But, even knowing where I was going, there was still a little bit of "eek" going on in the brain.

I got to the waterfall.  Looked back.

And there was Tammy!  She informed me that it would be a shame to have come as far as she did without getting to this point.  

Ok then.

So, we took the other spur that leads to the main drop of the Waipo'o Falls.  The climb down to this was going to be too much, so you'll just have to settle with this picture.

We did good, we did.

We climbed back up to the ridge after enjoying the falls for a while and rested in the shade again.  

And, we took a picture of the foot.  Good job foot!

For those who are not familiar, this is Waipo'o Falls in all 800 feet (or so) of its glory.  We walked the ridge that is to the left of the falls and stood just above that first drop that is visible from this viewpoint on the other side of Waimea Canyon.

And then we walked back. It took us about three and half hours to complete both directions.  Yes, we were slower than most hikers and we stepped aside to let people pass many times.  But, speed wasn't the point.  Safety and proper care while stretching what we could do WAS the point.

That, and we love the canyon.  That's a pretty good reason for doing it too.

As we walked back out, we made sure to pay homage to some of the giant evergreen trees that are at the side of the road when things even out.  I am not sure what these trees are, but they can make a person feel pretty small.  Tammy is about even with them in this picture.

And then, as I walked up the road with Tammy, I noticed our little friend, the Glory Bush.

Invasive or not.  It was pretty.  And it was an appropriate summation of this trip.  We had the promise of potential success and ended up achieving it.

Achievement Unlocked - Canyon Trail at the Waimea Canyon to Waipo'o Falls.

Kuilau Ridge Trail - Walk There Again

I think it would be safe to say that our Kuilau Ridge Trail walk was the most anticipated and most stress-inducing (prior to the walk) during our trip to the island of Kauai.  Since we discovered this trail several years ago, it has been a favorite.  The walk is not too terribly difficult, there are neat things to hear and see on the trail, and the scenic views are... well look at the picture!

And, in case you are wondering, I do not use filters.  And these are accurate color representations.

The stress had more to do with a fear that Tammy might not be able to walk this trail successfully at this point in her recovery.  The trail can be very muddy - and our last trip on the trail was extremely wet, so we know how bad it can get. For those who haven't dealt with the recovery process for Achilles reattachment surgery, uneven and slippery surfaces can be extremely challenging, even if the rest of the walk isn't particularly difficult.

So we had to ask ourselves - how bad would we feel if we couldn't handle the walk?

After acknowledging the fear and worry, we put on the hiking shoes and got a picture of the repaired foot - all adorned to take a walk - at the head of the trail.  And, after some initial mud (nothing too serious), things dried out.  In fact, this might be close to the best trail conditions we've EVER had on this trail.

Thank you for the gift Kauai.  We hope we honor you with good stories and wonderful pictures of the gift that was a successful walk there again!

One of the attractions for us on this walk are the variety of mature trees along the trail.  As a matter of fact, these trees are among the kindest on the island.  Anyone who has walked in a wood has probably felt something about it.  Some woods seem foreboding, making you hesitate before you decide to enter.  Others seem wilder than others, which can be thrilling or frightening depending on the kind of wild.  

These trees seem to have decided that they will accept those who walk under their boughs with Aloha.  Perhaps there was a time they were less than thrilled with human intrusion.  Now, it's almost as if they want us to come discover beauty - and it excites them to share it.

There was one point where it seemed as if the trees created a gateway, where the shade was dense, as if we were in a cave or a great hall.  But, the doors were cracked open so we could see the light behind them.  And in that light was a procession of trees along the trail, providing us with an honor guard.

If the picture you see to the left doesn't give you that impression, I encourage you to click on the image to see a larger version.  In fact, you can click on any of the images to see them better.  The trees made it clear that they were pleased that we wanted to share their story with you.

I will admit that not every person we met on the trail was as enthralled with the trees as we were.  Some were more interested in their conversations and others were simply set on getting from "here" to "there."  Yet others were intent on the grand views that we'll share with you later.  But, they were missing out on other wonders that were closer to hand.

I've said it before, but we miss so much when we don't take the time to really explore.  You can't see if you don't look.  And sometimes the direction you should look is up.

The Mighty Oaks on our farm know how to paint our Iowa skies.  The trees in these woods are masters at their sky-painting artistry as well.  In this particular section of woods, the trees seemed to have communicated well with each other as to which tree occupied what space.  There was often just enough space in between the branches of the canopy that individual trees came close - but typically did not touch.

And, of course, we were happy to explore the different textures and growth habits of trees that are unlike those in Iowa.  Sometimes, the trees were so thrilled to get the attention they seemed to frame pictures for me as I walked the trail.  You could sense the anticipation.

"Will they see it?"  

"Have we made it hard for the humans to recognize this?"

"Shhhhh!  Here they come!  Here they come!"

I'm sure we missed several of their little surprises and they might have been disappointed more times than I realized.  Yet, you could feel a little thrill each time you looked at the right place and the right time.  And as we walked further, you could almost hear them.

"They SAW it!  They LIKED it!  YAY!"

We noticed what we think are Hapu‘u (Hawaiian Tree Fern) as we walked the trail, with more of them as we got closer to the top of the ridge.  These plants seemed to top out at about 20 feet tall and provided an umbrella of leaves that were quite inviting.  As we walked under one of them, I couldn't help but look up and take a picture of the patterns and texture the leaves made.

The tree fern sighed happily because it has spent years arranging each small leaf on every stem JUST SO.  It's always nice to have your hard work recognized by others.

There is a tree that we both look forward to seeing on the trail.  We call it the "Party Tree."  It's not the grandest tree in the forest, nor is it the biggest.  But, it provides shade at the top of the trail in an area where the sun beats down on the path.  And, we used it as a marker to tell us that we can celebrate success in walking the Kuilau Ridge Trail.

The first time we met this particular tree, it provided a pose that was irresistible.  I was able to capture it on film and that photo now resides on our bedroom wall.  It is one of those pictures that makes you feel you could transport yourself onto the path if you could just manage to step into the picture somehow.  

The Party Tree has grown and we're happy to see that.  We made sure to greet it properly and let it know that we are pleased for its healthy and good fortune.  

I wonder if it hears us talk about it when we look at its picture?  Is there a psychic connection that makes that picture seem more real than others?  And if so... is it possible it knows we think about it?  

Maybe we should go back and ask. 

At one point I noticed a bat-like creature fly over my head and I tracked it until it seemed to land on a tree.  I couldn't see it from where I was standing, so I simply pointed the camera where I had seen it last and took a picture.  That picture is shown above.  

I really didn't expect that I'd caught the critter.  But, I did.  Here it is - can you see it now?

This large moth is called a Black Witch Moth and it was introduced to Kauai (and the other Hawaiian Islands).  And yes, even in the picture above it is difficult to see because it blends in pretty well with the trunk of the tree.  While this creature is not native to the islands, I have read that it has a spot in Hawaiian culture as the embodiment of the spirit of a loved one who has passed that wishes to communicate their "goodbyes."

Apparently these moths can have a wingspan of nine inches, which does not surprise me after having one fly by.  No wonder I, and many others, think they've seen a bat instead of a moth.

The valley to the west of Kuilau Ridge was a rich mixture of greens that showed up better when a cloud or two would float by and obstruct the sun for a while on some hills, while leaving others completely sun-drenched.  This is part of the attraction for this particular walk - we get to be treated to beautiful overlooks frequently.

Of course, most people just want to get right to the big show.

And that would be a look at Wai`ale`ale, the mountain and crater of the extinct volcano - and one of the wettest places on earth.  According to data from the Western Regional Climate Center, their recording station measured an average of 373 inches of rain yearly from 1949 to 2008.  

So, it should not be a surprise if Wai`ale`ale made sure to cover itself with some clouds while we took this walk. 

As has been the case with each of our walks since Tammy's Achilles surgery, we have relied on her to determine the point at which we were to turn back.  We decided that we had gone far enough once we reached the overlook that allowed us to take the first picture on this blog.  There was still a little trail left before the Kuilau Ridge Trail gives way to Moalepe.  But, Tammy has been very good at figuring out when it is time to turn around so there is enough energy to successfully return to the starting point.

And, as we were approaching the last little bit on the trail, we were greeted with an unexpected sight!

Apparently, our pleasure at being on this trail in these friendly woods was noticed and we were rewarded with an extremely rare appearance.  Do you see it?  

I'll first refer you to this blog post from a few years ago when we went to Meet the Ents.

Look carefully and you'll see the face of the Ent, a shepherd for this forest, showing his face amidst the moss.

Show your delight in your visit and you, too, might get to meet an Ent.