2006-Nov. 2---RTH (Road to Hana):

With approximately 600 curve and 54 bridges it is an interesting and long ride.  Especially when you stop at a bunch of viewpoints along the way.

Near the beginning of the RTH is Ho'okipa Park.  Ho’okipa is Mecca to the windsurfing world (and no slouch for board surfing, either.) There are professional windsurfing competitions held here, and on just about any day with wind (which is most days) you can watch pros doing their thing.

 Note the little bit of water coming out of the drain here.  Big difference on our back down!

 another cloudy day---but the views along the road were amazing.

 some of the curves.

 The road pretty well hugs the coastline for some spectacular views.

 Love the flowering trees that are everywhere on Maui.

 Looking back at the RTH.

 In Hana, we visited with the residents----

 A view of the top.

 We found a restaurant to grab lunch at, then decided what to do next. 

The map showed a botanical garden not for away.  So we decided to try and find it.  By now it was raining and the road to the garden wasn't the greatest.

 From a lookout we looked down at the black sand beach of Wai'anapanapa. 

 Dad impersonating an alien. 

 We finally found the garden, but it was closed.  IT didn't look too impressive anyway.   But we also saw this sign to a cave nearby, so we decided to check it out---a lava tube.

 Not many people here!

 aahhaa---a little bit of a garden here!

 We were the only visitors, but they let us tour the cave----probably not the greatest idea with how hard is was raining now!

 heading into the lava tube.

 it was rather wet in there.  The rain was sifting through the rock walls.

 Dad in the lava tube.

 Heading back out.

 With as hard as it was still raining, we figured we better get back on the road and get down the mountain.  The waterfalls along the way were really flowing now!

 The almost dry drain that we saw earlier was really flowing now!  In fact, there was so much rain that the water actually flooded in several areas.  We were in a minivan and made it through the flooded roadway, but might not have it we waited much longer to get back down the mountain!

(the drain on the way up)

Not the best day to do the RTH, but we can say we did it.  It even rained quite a bit in Kihei today.  We hit the pool and hot tub when we got back to the resort.  All in all, a rather different, but fun, day.