Posts for tonight… I always like to do our kids birthdays is separate post… And today is our son Max’s 34th birthday. What a wonderful human being. Got to talk to him on our way back from the road to Hana drive today…

The road to Hana is a much hyped to do here in Maui… But I have to tell you… It’s not what it used to be. Dianne and I did it 36 years ago on her honeymoon and it was quite an adventure… He drove around the island in unimproved roads and got to see a lot of unspoiled beauty. What it is now is like a carnival ride. There are so many people going down there that  everything you want to see is either at or near capacity… Natural beauty is still there… But you can only imagine what this is doing to the locals.… their roads, their stores, they’re swimming holes are packed with people from out of town.… it’s quite a bit like what’s happening in our town in Vermont…. Like there I’m glad that people get to see this natural beauty… I just wish we could figure out a way of doing it in a more respectful and less overwhelming way like

All that said… The nearly 12 hour round-trip did have its pleasures. We got to see a cool Arboretum, got some very yummy vegan ice cream had a great 4 mile hike to see some waterfalls… But you had to see them from a distance.… And had some really nice pokey on the way back as well as some great views. All in all it was a great day… But  I would not recommend this trip to anyone until they can make it more respectful to the land and to  the local people

thanks to Gabe for doing all the driving on this swervy and packed road.

nite all, nite sam

-me