Surf way up on north side today. So the locals say. We have decided to drive to the North Shore to check out the big surf.
We left early. Went into and through Lahaina to a place called Leoda’s for breakfast. Leoda’s is famous for chicken and waffles. And, it would appear, large servings. As popular as it is, we got a table immediately. Placed our order and quickly go served. If I ever come back here I am getting the chicken and waffles. I didn’t. I had coconut French toast. Which was excellent but I tasted Bobs choice and it is the pinnacle. And way less carbs. Emily has some breakfast sandwich. Meh. And Renee’s was plain. I will need another trip to this place to really look through the menu.
After breakfast we drove off. Bye, today I drive. Which turned out well but as our plans developed, turned into work.
The JAWS area of the coast is not marked and has no clear access. The “road” was four wheel drive only. I am glad I decided against driving down the path/road. It’s a dirt road with occasional large and small holes filled with water. It’s really slick. Like grease. I know this because we parked and decided to walk the couple miles to the coast. On our way, Renee fell a couple times. She has some problems with her hip. We got about a mile in. The only things we saw were abandoned cars. Probably 7 or 8 in the first mile. I assume people get stuck down here and no one is available to pull their car out. Don’t know. Cars were is various levels of decay and age.
We met a couple German tourists on their way out. They gave us the 411. Surf was dead and all surfers were gone. Since we were headed to see the big surf, we decided to turn around at that point and walk out. The Germans had parked their 4wd a ways back and the girls caught a ride from them instead of walking. That left me and Bob to walk out. Alone. Not scary, but slicker and harder work since our was uphill.
So we got back to the car. And then, a momentous decision. Let’s drive to Hana. It’s only a couple more hours and no problem and we never been there. It took three. What a drive. Super twisty, thin roads, washed out here and there blind curves 56 one lane bridges (I counted). Easy peasy. And I drove the whole way. I’m a saint cuz Bob kept screaming “look at the view” yet I didn’t. And only cuz I wanted to watch the triad and not kill everyone in a car accident. That type of road.
Three hours of that, with a couple stop at roadside stands carved out of the rock or jungle, and we made it to Hana. I can say I have been there. Not impressive, not big, not shiny. Just a very small outpost in rural America isolated by geography. Most stores and businesses, if u can find them, not open most of the day. The bank hours are 3 to 430 five days. Super convenient. Nice little harbor. I am sure if you lived here you would meet all the inhabitants within a year. Brings new meaning to going to town for provisions.
We drove around a little while we were here. Nothing to do. I went to the local grocery/general/hardware store. I bought limes. They are hard to come by.
We headed out in the opposite direction of whence we came. Why? Well, it’s an island and you can go around. Same distance either way.
If I thought the road in was crazy, the road out was worse. And it was an uphill as well. More blind curves, the road surface was awful, gravel hiway for a few miles and slow speed to go with it. Not many cars most going about 25mph. No place to pass and who wants to die anyway. Three hours to get out. An absolute adventure in driving. The views, per Bobs yelling, were still spectacular. I watched the road. Again, I choose life.
We almost made Kihue by sunset. Almost. So we pulled off on the road, now wide and paved, and watched the sun hit the horizon. So close I heard the sizzle.
Back in the car and another hour to Lahaina the we are staying. After a long day, cocktails. Red wine. Steaks. Charcuterie. Rinse and repeat. Then, it’s bedtime.
That’s a day, I think.