Sunday 22 May 2011

Above the Clouds, Haleakala

On our final full day in Maui we decided to drive above the clouds to the summit of Haleakala.
 The road is 39 miles of switchbacks and very steep terrain.  Driving through the clouds before arriving at the top.
 Looking back down the road we dove along.
 Not very much vegetation at this elevation
 Scanning across the summit.
 A very desolate place.
 Just to the left of the large rock you can see two figures walking the trail.
 The road appears to drop off the edge of the mountain.
 Beautiful clouds.
 A longer shot of the clouds with the mountain in the foreground.
 Observatories on the far peak.
 You have to walk slowly at this elevation.
 These plants are only found in this area and can live up to 50 years, bloom once and die.
 Not sure how old this one would be.
 Remnants of a bloom.
 A wood cut print you can purchase.
 If you look closely you can find signs of plant life.
 This flower was quite the show off.
 The Nene geese were almost driven to extinction but have recovered.
 Driving down below the clouds.
 A lovely lacey silver plant.
 Continuing down the switchbacks.
 Coming out of the clouds and seeing the island stretch out before us.
 Back looking at another lovely sunset.
 The last night on Maui.
 One last look for whales.
One last look at Maui as we fly back home to Vancouver.
 The sunset starting to be seen.
A glimpse of the wing of our plane and the sun going down.

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