We've been in Hawaii 10 days now and have yet to stay in a city.     On to Lahaina, a gently aging beach town that has held on to its days-of-yore vibe.    Front Street is 2-story buildings refurbed in the style of the day, no high rises in sight.      Whales breach and blow within shore view and beaches run into each other for miles on end.        A lay-low stay enjoying the beach and prepping for New Zealand, except for….

Maui is the Isle of Valleys because its topography is defined by two large volcanoes, making the rest of the island some version of a valley .       The largest, Haleakala (hally-ah-kala) casts a real shadow over the island each morning from her 10,000’ summit.      
 
Recommended by Lynn and Charlene, we took the tour up the mountain (leaving Lahaina at 2:30 am) to be there at 5:30 to see the most joyful view of the celestial bodies against an ink-blue backdrop.       A spiritual moment.    I recommit to becoming more familiar with the skies on this trip – gotta evolve past the dippers.      

An hour later sunrise hit her stride over the puffy clouds, revealing the crater lip we were standing on – 7 miles long, 2 1/2 miles wide and3000’ deep. Most of Manhattan would fit in the crater.   An active but dormant volcano (a subtle distinction I’m sure), Haleakala has a number of observatories and equipment around and in her crater.  The crowd fell silent as someone vocalized what sounded like a native welcome to the day.      

Our bus then drops us at 6500’ level with bikes, helmets and gear and we are sent on our way cycling down the switchbacks through cold and barren upper regions, down through the eucalyptus groves, the pine tree forest and ultimately back to water level - stripping off layers of clothes along the way.      A glorious and fun experience.      Bike bum (you know that sore butt you get at the beginning of cycle season?) will get us ready for New Zealand.   

Bring 'er on, mate!