1 On our way up to Kaena Pt for an early, long hike to the most northwest point of the island.
2 58 degrees!
3 But not cool any longer! This is a long, slow, hot, sunny, exposed hike, 5 miles roundtrip.
4 Sam hiked it pretty fast on the way out - he and I kept moving, with Ben on my back, so Ben would stay asleep.
5 This is a great road for 4-wheeling! Lots of Jeeps out muddin'!
6 We're almost there!
7 Albatross nest here - the eggs will hatch any day. We also got to see whales breaching, and a monk seal resting! Fabulous nature-watching out here in this remote and very beautiful spot.
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9 Caterpillar spotted by Kathy and kids...little horn at the front!
10 The albatross has a wing span of about 7 feet!
11 Nesting mamma! Kathy got this close thanks to a UH group studying the birds with a permit, otherwise you are not allowed anywhere near the nests.
12 Finally out at the point!
13 Looking for whale tails!
14 Looking down the leeward side.
15 Waves crash in from Alaska to the right, and from New Zealand to the left.
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17 Monk seal in the middle of the frame, resting on a rock. Can you see her?
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19 Staying in what shade we could find. Loved all the cruumbled coral.
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21 Sam was starting to really fatigue here. He didn't drink enough water on the way out. More on this later...Keeping him in shade and getting him to rehydrate while managing Ben. Whew!
22 My adventure buddy extraordinaire!
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24 Can't wait to see Richard's pictures!
25 Iced lemonade in sparkling water afterwards! Sam got really fatigued and dehydrated and actually puked out at the point on our way back. Dave and I were worried so we carried him all the way back at a very brisk clip. He was fine after the ride and some rest. I knew something was beginning to be wrong while we were out at the point - fatigued and refusing water. I made him drink a bunch, which may have precipitated the upchuck. Heat stress can come on very quickly, even to kids who have the best prepared and experienced hiker parents. Lesson learned...more sips of water even if child doesn't want to, and not so fast!
26 Yay! They made it all the way!
27 Margaritas and Mexican food afterwards :) I have Caliegh on my lap, playing with the ice :)
28 Good times!!! Thanks for the fun, friends! In a few weeks we'll go back to see the hatchlings!
