A gorgeous Saturday morning found us heading for Upcountry where the up means 2-4,000 feet up the slope of Haleakala. Haleakala is an erosion crater which tops out at 10,023 feet. We took a short cut (which actually is longer, but really interesting) through all the sugar cane fields. There is a sugar factory also and we happened to see one of the cane trucks taking a load of cane to be processed. There are 37,000 acres of sugar cane being grown here...all in the central valley. We stopped at the Surf Goat farm where they make wonderful goat cheese products, but we were too early so headed on south.
We went through Kula and a stop in the road called Ulupalokua down 31 to the shoreline. This whole area is cattle country, though you only see an occasional bunch of cows. Scrubby trees and some grasses grow on the lava through here. The whole area south of there is lava flow - the same one we hiked on Friday but further to the east toward Hana. The shoreline is spectacular through here and the water an incredible blue--right between Carolina & Duke blue! The other side of the road was scrubby grasses and lava rocks.
The Pokowai Sea Arch was great! The surf just crashes in there and continues to break through the rock. For the last several miles we have gone from double lane paved to single lane paved to single lane patched paved (poorly done and a long time ago!). However, there are two federally funded bridges through here that are two lane and beautiful. Federal funds can't be used to finance single lane bridges.
As we were heading back along the shore we spotted some white tropic birds flying out over the water. What a wonderful show they put on for us.
Further down the road we took a turn off to the Ali'i Lavendar Farm. There were about 25 classic cars ahead of us that pulled into the parking lot so we decided to head to the top of the hill. Great switchbacks and into the fog. Unfortunately, when we got to the top it was fogged in, but a wonderful eucalyptus and cedar forest.
We returned to the Lavendar farm where we found wonderful gardens and marvelous Lavender Tea! They grow 122 species of Lavendar and alot of Protea. The flowers are stunning and go through and incredible number of stages. This is the last stage of this particular type.
So after a nice leisurely wander, we headed back down the mountain. Views were stunning!
And then home again to a beautiful sunset on the beach just down the hill. Delightful day!!!
