Aiea Loop Trail

Rach and I went on a little hike today.  The Aiea Loop Trail.  After a little confusion about where the actual entrance to the trail was, the iPhone got us there.  The hike was only 4.5 miles or so. We encountered little elevation changes during the hike, but did find some pretty good photo ops  (all via the iPhone). 

This is a pic just before the rain moved our way.  You can see the H3 highway as it snakes towards the tunnel to Kaneohe.

This is a pic of a possible field of marijuana (probably not, but it would have been interesting).

The rain clouds did open up on us about half way through the hike.  We were muddy and thoroughly drenched by the end of the hike.  Rach and I live for that kind of recreation, so it was an awesome morning (just a little sarcasm there). 

Crazy Gold Pants

I'm all about being your own person and expressing yourself and all that nonsense.  However, these pants just scream, "LOOK AT ME.  I AM WEARING CRAZY A$$ TIGHT GOLD PANTS.  I'M DIFFERENT!  I'M A WEIRDO!"

Our Beloved Integra

I bought my 1994 Acura Integra back in 2000.  It has served me faithfully since then.  Rach started driving it when the Lebaron died in 2004.  It was shipped to Hawaii in 2006.  Last Friday it hit 200,000 miles on the odometer.  Such a faithful little car.   I shall reward it with a paint job and some new wheels when I get back to NJ.  I will drive this car to at least 250,000 miles.

The Hike

K. Falcon convinced Rach and I to go on this hike with her, Dave, Jen, and John.  I was told that it was an intermediate level 3.5 mile hike.  Sounded good to me.  Everyone knows I LOVE to get up early on the weekends and really just attack the day.  Take this island by the horns and squeeze every last ounce of fun out of it.  

Minor detail though:  The hike was 3.5 miles...each way.  And the ending point was on the top of this mountain ridge that I have always looked up at while driving and said to myself, "Gosh that looks so high.  It's practically in the clouds.  I wonder how anyone would ever get up there?"

It really wasn't that bad though.  The first 3/4 of the way was a pretty easy stroll up some switchbacks.  The last 1/4 or so was straight up this ridgeline.  There were some stairs involved, and Rach almost passed out about 100 feet from the top.  

Rach rehydrating after making it to the top.

Rach and I at the Kuliouou Trail End sign

One of the better pictures

You could see all the way from Kaneohe to Waimanalo to Koko Head to Hawaii Kai to Diamond Head.  So, instead of posting a billion pics, here is a short video to give you an idea of the view (have to give Rach credit for the creative cinematic idea).

 It was really windy up there and the audio didn't really do the scene justice, so I added a little Coldplay.  (That's how Rach knows I'm gay...name that movie)