We finally found Nene, the Hawaiian goose! In fact, we came upon a gaggle of them! They waddled into the road, and then off the road. I’m not an avid birder but I was happy to see these birds.

We hiked on Haleakala. Not all of the way across the crater, but down the Sliding Sands trail for a few miles and then back up. Let me just say that down is way, way better then up. It would be great to hike uphill first and get that part over with, but it just doesn’t work that way.

With every step down, I dreaded the steps back up. My legs were fine, it’s the altitude. At 59, I feel it more than I did 10 years ago. My lungs and heart worked hard. But I did make it back to 10,000-ish feet, as did we all. Amanda and Keith smiled more.

But Steve was very happy too!

  We did see several silver swords. They only grow here, and are relatives of sunflowers.

After the hike, we went to Paia for gelato. It was terrific and we earned it.

And the we went to Wailuku to Mele Ukulele where Amanda bought a ukulele! I play the radio, Amanda plays a viola, drums, and now a ukulele. And she sings. In a band! I hum along, and have playlists for the rental cars :-). Needless to say, I am impressed by her abilities.

Tomorrow we are going to loll on the beach. Not LOL, we are going to sit and read and take pictures, and snorkel/swim and just chill. Oh happy, happy day!