Day 18 Sept 22

Saturday Sept 22

Today is summit day! Finally I am getting to head up to the top of Haleakala for the the sun rise. The kids and Grant have opted to stay at home in bed but Shan, Ana and I will go watch the sun rise.

It was tough to sleep last night, thinking I was going to miss the alarm and therefore the sun rise. It seemed like a long night and I was feeling well rested and ready to hit the road at 11:30, 1:39, 2:45....right up until 3:00am when my body wanted me to sleep in but I managed to get out, dressed and into the parking lot by 3:40 so we can get on the road.

We Trenched it up on the way there and Introduced the girls to the Ever After album. The thermometer on the car read a chilly 40 degrees up at the summit so we stayed in the car until the first rays showed on the horizon. The chilly air kept us bundled up as we waited for the suns rays. The low laying clouds were gorgeous as the orange touched them. I hiked up to the top of a lava crag to get a better more unobstructed view and definitely felt the thinner air up at 10 000 feet above sea level. The drive back down the volcana was also amazing, seeing both sides of the valley aisle and the four islands of the Maui county. A beautiful site and a great way to start the morning.

We stopped at Shan's condo and packed up their stuff. They don't leave until tomorrow but they are spending the last night in a hotel before heading out. Back to our condo for breakfast and pool time with relaxing. The sun is beating down now and sitting at the pool in it is heaven. The kids are enjoying playing while Shan and Ana enjoy a nap.

Some last little souvenir shopping is in order though and so we pack up and head to a shopping locations in kihei. A few treasures are found at a craft sale on south kihei road and Grant and I even picked up some quality Crazy Shirts before checking out the discount outlet store that was actually more money then regular retail. A trip to blockbuster (I can't believe it still is open here!) to rent a movie and Safeway for a few supplies rounded out our shopping trip.

Shish Ka Bobs and a movie are the agenda tonight. A calm, relaxing, almost depressing atmosphere before the girls leave tomorrow. The food was great, the movie average and the girls went back to their hotel for their final evening on Maui.