We planned ahead on Friday for the trip to the Haleakala summit for sunrise.\u00a0 Stopped at a Shell to fill up the car to make sure we had adequate fuel for the ride to the top and back .\u00a0 While there we got two large cups of hot water and tea bags so we’d have portable cups for the ride up early in the morning.\u00a0 The we stopped at a Starbucks to get 1 cup of coffee and several paper rings to go around the hot cups. The tea water was really, really hot!<\/p>\n
Back at the condo we drank the tea for an evening treat.\u00a0 Knowing that the temperature could be as low as 47 F and winds 15 to 25 mph, we assembled our wardrobe for the morning adventure.\u00a0 Long pants, 3 shirt layers, , warm socks, rain jackets and hats.\u00a0 Also organized the photographic equipment so there would be less fumbling in the dark at the summit.\u00a0 Made coffee for the morning.\u00a0 Showered and to bed pretty early–about 9:30 PM.\u00a0 Set the alarm for 3 AM.\u00a0 Ugh!\u00a0 A short night in store.\u00a0 We plan to leave no later than 3:30 AM.<\/p>\n
3:00 AM the alarm sounds.\u00a0 It’s up and get dressed, make the coffee, load up the car.\u00a0 We’re on our way about 3:15 AM.\u00a0 Earlier departure means there is a higher probability of being able to park at the summit.<\/p>\n
Not too much traffic to start out.\u00a0 Only 1 car ahead of us until we turn off on the Haleakala Crater Road.\u00a0 Then we caught up to about 5 in front and soon there were 5 behind us making the winding drive up the mountain.\u00a0 So, we arrived got close to the NPS gate where\u00a0 people have to pay.\u00a0 There must have been 20+ cars in front of us and we were pretty much at a dead stop.\u00a0 A traffic jam at about 4:30 in the morning!<\/p>\n
When we got to the booth we showed them Joyce’s Senior Pass so we didn’t have to pay the $15 entrance fee.\u00a0 Nice!\u00a0 The attendant was also named Joyce and remarked on it.\u00a0 A quick stop 1 mile up the road for a potty break and then continued on up the road to the top.<\/p>\n
We were lucky!\u00a0 The road to the summit parking was not closed and we drove up in hopes of actually finding a parking spot.\u00a0 All the lined spots were taken so we just pulled along the curb and shut off the motor.\u00a0 Now, it’s 5:30-ish and sunrise is at 5:55 AM.\u00a0 We first climbed to the overlook building, but there were just too many people to get a good spot.\u00a0 Since we had been there on Monday evening, we knew that the short path on the opposite side of the parking lot was a good spot.\u00a0 Fortunately, there were only 2 or 3 other folks there.\u00a0 Gary had a good spot to set up his tripod and get set for the sunrise.<\/p>\n
Sure enough, the sun came up on time!\u00a0 Got some photos and then turned around to capture a few images of the volcano’s shadow on the opposite side.\u00a0 Finished up on the summit around 6:45 and drove down to the visitor center about\u00a00.1 mile down the road.\u00a0 Here we had some additional photo opportunities of the crater which we hadn’t seen in the dark nor on Monday when it was really cloudy.<\/p>\n
We started down the volcano about 7:15 AM, but stopped to do two geocaches on the way down.\u00a0 Trying to keep up our 3\/day schedule so we can get to 2400 caches while here in Hawaii.\u00a0 We are certain to make it now!<\/p>\n
Had to make a stop at Target to get a card reader so Gary could download some photos from the camera cards he’s been filling up.\u00a0 Maybe there’ll be some photos here some day!<\/p>\n
Back to the condo around 10:30 AM and ready for a rest.\u00a0 Gary napped in front of the TV for a while and Joyce logged our caches from the past couple of days.\u00a0 The TV was on FOX (ugh!) where some of the Republican debate was showing.\u00a0 Finally got tired of that and had a nice lunch on the lanai.<\/p>\n
Oh, what a beautiful mornin’
\nEverything’s goin’ my way
\netc……..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We planned ahead on Friday for the trip to the Haleakala summit for sunrise.\u00a0 Stopped at a Shell to fill up the car to make sure we had adequate fuel for the ride to the top and back .\u00a0 While there we got two large cups of hot water and tea bags so we’d have … Continue reading Haleakala Sunrise! A Saturday Morning Adventure<\/span>