Exploring the Big Island

Island cats catching a few rays

I woke up before sunrise again. It may be 5:30 here but my body thinks it 9:30 and time to get up. Cheryl also woke up and we decided to go on a walk. We headed toward the beach or where Cheryl thought was the beach. We ended up walking over a lava field but we made it to the beach. It is a very nice beach within walking distance of the condo. We say the ubiquitous mongoose as well as several cats. The hotels in the area care for them and they spend their days lying in the sun.

Back at the condo we made plans for the day. We decide to explore the area north of Waikoloa. We pack a lunch and hit the road. The first stop is Waikoloa Village. Not much to see - we just drove around and then headed back to the highway. Continuing north we find another turnoff and head to the beach. It is a lovely beach and we spend some time there. I take pictures of everything hoping that a few will turn out.

The Seashell Sisters hard at work

The Seashell Sisters (Pat & Cheryl) spend the time looking down trying to find interesting shells. A whale could splash a few feet from shore and they wouldn't notice - a sea turtle could be sunbathing on the beach and they would step over it. They are extremely focused when looking for shells. We watch a few surfers enjoying the high surf and then decide to view the petroglyphs located on the property. Cameras in hand we set off. At first the path is smooth and easy. Then we enter a forested area and the path becomes narrow, dusty, winding left and right and up and down. After a few minutes we begin to wonder if this is a good idea. After 30 minutes we know this is not a good idea. I trudge ahead leaving Pat and Cheryl behind to check out the area. Just over the hill is the petroglyph area. I take and few pictures and return to the girls.

Petroglyph

By now I have blisters because I am wearing wet beach sandals, Pat's new shoes are red with dust from the trail and Cheryl's sandals are also filthy.

Trying to get out of Petroglyph Forest

Limping, we slowly make our way back to the rental car. We take out our cooler and find a lovely picnic area where we fill out stomachs and nurse our wounds. Luckily I never go anywhere without my first aid kit. A few sprays of neosporin and a couple of Spongebob bandaids we are ready to continue exploring. Well, more like we are ready to nap. We drive to the next beach and after 5 minutes we decide to return to the condo. The intrepid explorers are finished exploring for the day. We pick up some food at the food court in the Marketplace across the street. We eat, shower, look at pictures and we are all in bed by 8 pm. The Big Island is kicking our butts.