Day 2

We got up at 3:30 a.m., again, for another very early morning. We went on a bike tour. We took a bus up the Haleakala Volcano to see the sun rise. Our guides, Chuck and Mike with Bike it Maui, were so great. They got us up there just in time, made it very entertaining, and had plenty of advice for us to enhance our experience on Maui. We got to the top of the Crater just in time to see the first light of day.

The colors in the sky were incredible as the sun slowly rose. We could see the other end of the crater, the thick clouds beyond it, and in the picture below you can see the Big Island in the distance. The clouds continued to change colors, and this was one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen. The clouds started to turn red after a bit.

This is a cool picture of Venus. It was glowing up in the sky, shining so bright. It was very dark, so it was difficult to get a good picture that let enough light in without getting the picture all blurry. So I decided to use that to my advantage. What do you think?

As the sun began to peek out above the clouds, the park ranger started singing a chant to the Sun Gods. It was beautiful to listen to that as the sun rose above the clouds. We were at the top of the crater, which is about 10,000 feet high. It was very cold up there, but it was so beautiful we didn't care how cold we were.
Andy and I at the top of the crater just before heading down on the bikes!

After the sunrise, we rode our bikes down the mountain. It was so fun! It is downhill the whole way, and and hardly had to peddle at all. It was a 24 mile coast that I loved every second of! Andy and I "hang loose" on the hill and pose for a photo opp. I didn't have to ride on his handlebars, I had my own bike. Just in case you wondered.
Andy thought the skull on my helmet was pretty cool. Here I am showing it off.
This plant is very unique. It's called Silver Sword, and Haleakala is the only place in the world where it can be found. It takes anywhere from 5-50 years to bloom, and then it dies. It is very beautiful I love that it's silver. It's my new favorite. I am loving silver lately...
After the bike ride was over we went to Charlie's to get a delicious breakfast. We then headed to the hotel, changed, and spent the rest of the day at the beach. Andy's sister Hol and her family came around 3:00. They are on their way home from living in New Zealand for a year, and we were able to meet up here for a few days! After a few hours on the beach, we went out for some dinner.

I got a little burned today, maybe I should put on some sunscreen higher than spf 8 tomorrow. Maybe. It's supposed to be rainy for a few days toward the end of our trip, so I want to get all the sun I can while it's here!

We came home from dinner by the beach with the Reynolds to our suite with the bed turned down, soft Hawaiian music playing, and Alphagraphics had left gifts for us in the room. They are very cool water bottles that Andy and I are both excited about! :) I'll have to put it to use tomorrow when I exercise. I slacked today.

Until tomorrow...enjoy the sun rise pictures!