March 6, 2013: time to leave!---

 The last 2 1/2 weeks sure went fast!  Can't believe it was time to check out already!   We piddled around the room until about 11---check out time was noon and our flight wasn't until 5:55.  They offered us a room key for a shared courtesy room, but we didn't figure we needed it for an early evening flight.  Still it's nice to know it's offered.  I guess we could have gone snorkeling and still been able to dry our stuff, but Ken wasn't interested in doing that.  So we headed off not having a clue what to do for 3 or 4 hours. 

At first we headed south a bit.  Took some more pictures. 

 Love these flowers, didn't see many of them on Maui.  (Lantana)

More pretty flowers !

 A confused plant.

 My sister and I checked out this neat old church when we were there last May.  Here's what I wrote about it in that blog: Keawalai Congregational Church. It was founded in 1832. The land it's on was purchased in 1864 for $80. In the 50's, the climate of the area changed from fertile lands to the parched land it is now (global warming back then?) so many of the congregation left for easier living. Renovations began on the church in the 70's and continued little by little even today. Hawaiian tradition and culture are carried on here by using Hawaiian language, music, and dance in it's services.

 When I was there in May, the church wasn't open.  Today it was so I got to peek inside!

 Love how pristine and organized the place is.  They even appear to have Hawaiian church service books.

There's even an interesting old cemetary there.

AFter riding around the south side a bit, we decided to head towards Kahalui and find a bite to eat before heading to the airport.  On our way there, we stopped at a neat Hawaii clothes outlet store in Kihei on the east side of Piilani Highway.  Neat store---lots of souvenir stuff as well as clothes.  Will remember that store!  I was actually on the hunt for a Maui sweatshirt without a hood, but only saw a couple the whole time we were there and I didn't like either one enough to buy.  Once we got to Kahalui, we rode around trying to find a place to eat.  Saw a bunch of chain restaurants.  Ended up just grabbing a sandwich from Jack in the Box and going to a dead end road overlooking the ocean and had a pic nic with the rest of our soda and chips we brought from the room.  Not quite what I had in mind for our last meal on Maui, but at least it had a great view!

Then we drove around to the other side of the harbor and watched some kite surfers for awhile.

By 3 we decided it was time to head towards the car rental place.  Then we were off to the airport---early, but better then late!  At least this plane was on time, in fact we left a little early.  Got a nice view of the coastline after take off.

Even a view of the Big Island.

Arrived at DFW early and even left there about 10 minutes early!  Got to watch sunset and sunrise from the airplane.

Another 1 1/2 hours and we were descending into St. Louis.   I know a lot of people won't go to Hawaii because of the long flights, but it's so worth it!!!  Especially when it's cold and snowing at home!  We also know people who won't go because it's so expensive, but we don't spend much money there.  Our flights were free thanks to our AA credit card.  Our condo was reserved with our Worldmark points.  We don't eat out at fancy restaurants often.  Our main entertainment is free--snorkeling and watching sunsets.   The main cost was the car and gas.