Hiking -- Ka'ena Point State Park

I went for my second hike this weekend. I journeyed to the most western point on Oahu, Ka'ena Point State Park. There are two ways you can get to the point. The first, which I did, is by traveling the H1 until it turns into the 93, which runs along the coast. This leads you through the lovely cities of Maili, Waianae, and Makaha. You're only going between 25MPH and 45MPH along the 93. At the very end of this stretch of road, the last paved road you can travel on is the entrance to the state park. You don't need a permit for this park. There's bathrooms to your right and the beach to your left. Keep going. Drive until you literally cannot drive any further on the paved road. You've reached the trail head.

The trail started out slightly muddy. And got worse. The reason being 1) it rained that morning and the night before, and 2) some locals like to take their huge trucks through as far as they can to do fishing and other water sports. So be on the lookout for trucks! The trail winds around the coast. You've got crashing waves on your left and rocky cliffs, going up, on your right. It used to be an old railroad route. You can see some of the railroad ties throughout your hike. You'll also see why it's no longer a viable route -- there's some areas that are completely washed out. Near the end of your almost-turnaround, you'll come across a section you'll have to billy-goat up and over.

Since I did this hike in winter I received an extra special spectacle -- whales. I hadn't really thought I would see anything. But I did. And I got a really poor shot of them with my video recording on my phone. This was the one hike where I woke up and went, "Nah. I haven't used my camera so far, what's the point in carrying it?" Which was the dumbest move I could have made. Next time (there will definitely be a next time!), I'll bring my camera along instead of just my phone.

When I got to the Point, I was able to have a snack. I ate 1 can of tuna fish mixed with a 1/2 tbsp of dill relish and about three tbsp of Greek yogurt and lots of pepper. I forgot any utensils, though, so I had to eat my tuna salad with my fingers. Not as bad as you would think, since I brought wet-wipes along (I always have some in my commuter backpack, which is what I use for hiking on the weekends, too. I've got to invest in a pack that straps across my chest and hips, though, since that'll make for a much easier and less back-pain-filled hike). I also had two Cuties. Delicious little mandarin oranges!! I could eat them everyday. While eating my lunch, I was able to watch a slumbering Monk Seal. This is also where I caught my video of the whale doing a nose-bob-thingy out of the water. There were also sea birds, which nest on the ground. A lot of the Point was roped off because they're endangered species, like the Monk Seal, and you could easily destroy their nests and not even realize it.

The hike back was much quicker than the hike in. I guess that's what happens when you're not taking pictures every few feet. I was soaked through with sweat when I got back to the car. My brand new boots were properly broken in. I had dried mud running up my calfs. It felt awesome!

When I got home, I took a long bath, just soaking in the heat. I was able to listen to some classical music with the lights out and a candle lit. It was glorious. Its so much easier to shave your legs when you're laying down, I think. I also got to use a sand-scrub so my legs were extra soft, especially when I got out and put some lotion on everything. You'd think you wouldn't need lotion in Hawaii. You do. Lots of it. Usually several times a day.

I spent the rest of the day just relaxing, listening to books on tape and some more classical music. Now... Onto the pictures! I know that's why you all read my blog posts, anyway. ;-)

They're looking at the whales breaching. I saw a few and it took my breath away!

Monk Seal!

My Snack Spot; I took my whale video here, too.

After I was laying in bed for the night, I realized I wasn't completely unscathed from the sun. I had a slight sunburn just below my shirt line on my front and around my neck on the back. There were also a few red spots on the backs of my arms. That'll teach me to rub my sunblock in better! I applied it before the start of the hike and also when I was sitting for my snack. SPF 50. And I also had some SPF 15 chapstick along with clip-on sunglasses, a hat, and two containers of water, which I used both of. There was practically no shade on this hike. But the breeze was constant.

Aloha from Oahu!
LC