Take a hike!

Took a hike today!

We wanted to get out of the house & I've been checking out this site called

www.outdoorohana.com

where they list a bunch of kid friendly hikes here in Hawaii.  

So our first hike into Waimano Valley begins! 

I consider this our test run since I'd prefer not to bring McDonald's cheeseburgers on a hike but hey, that's what happens when you want to go explore nature more than you want to go grocery shopping.

A pretty successful hike, it took us about 2 1/2 hours round trip.

The older kids Lily, 5, and Jonas, 4 did the hike on their own without much complaining although Andy ended up carrying both of their backpacks, as well as Oliver in the Ergo most of the trip, lesson learned.

And at 21 weeks pregnant, as of today!  A hike a 4 & 5 year old can do is about as much as I can do too. 

Here's Daddy with the kids before we started.  You can choose either the Upper or Lower hike & we let Jonas pick and he chose Upper.  You hit a spot where it becomes a loop so we ended up doing both parts anyways, either way would have been fine.  We ended up finding out later that there is a waterfall at the very end of the trail, we didn't make it that far but definitely want to try again!

The hike is easy, for the most part, but we did have kids sliding on their butts when they weren't willing to hold hands [Jonas "I'm being careful!" Gutierrez] there were some muddy slippery parts and you most definitely are on a ridge.  Here was a fun little rope someone tied to help you get along the steepest bit of trail. 

There was a nice little spot under a big mango tree with a beautiful view and lots of room to have a snack, let the baby stretch his legs & pee in a bush without being precariously near the edge of a cliff.

Some beautiful Hawaiian flora along the way & a look into Waimano Valley.

There were also some tunnels along the trail, we decided not to go through them cause I'm kinda creeped out and claustrophobic about things like that and Lily was scared of vampires.  Maybe next time....with flashlights. 

Following the lower trail on the way back you walk along a stream, or basically during dry season here a bunch of wet, slippery, mossy rocks.  Be careful!  So all in all an awesome hike to do with the family, fun & not too difficult but don't expect a paved path the whole way through.

Also note to self for next hike, bring mosquito repellent!

Anybody have a good natural concoction? :)

"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains
and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and
all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
Isaiah 55:12