Knit Addict

Only if you’re 6+ hours into an 8+ hour flight and you’re me. I’ve got to tweak the armhole shaping on the Oasis pullover, but it won’t be too bad. Of course I didn’t figure it out until I started actually doing the armholes, and my counts just didn’t come out right.

So - happy birthday to me. I made it to 40. I’m kind of amazed sometimes that I survived, as much stupid crap as I’ve done. But all the way through my family has loved me, and that’s got me through some really tough times. Life is good.

Today we did a six hour horse back ride in Haleakala Crater. Wow…I know I keep using superlatives on this trip, but we’ve seen some really cool stuff. Especially since I’m such a volcano junkie.

Got up before six and left a couple of minutes after six thirty. Drove up to the summit and met Yod (pronounced Jod - like John with a D instead) and Jackie. Figured it was going to be a good day when we were greeted with this:

Got to figure any day you start with a rainbow has to be good. By the way, we were at about 9600 feet there. That is the ocean, but it’s waaaay down there.

Started off high and wearing lots of layers. I did use a pair of their gloves, because I forgot to take mine with me. The shadows were so sharp, and the colors were a bit muted.

We rode down and down and down. Dust - lots of dust. If you ever do this ride and wear contacts, don’t. Wear your glasses. I could gross you out with tales, but let’s just say you’ll be breathing in lots of the stuff.

Riding across the crater (really caldera) floor, there are an amazing numer of cinder cones and lava flows.  The colors!  Reds, greys, greens, tans, rusts - your eye keeps going from one to another.
It’s like riding on the moon in some places.  Absolutely desolate.

Then you realize those plants you’re riding through are ferns.  Granted, they’ve been killed off by cold weather, but you can just imagine how green and lush it must be when they’re growing.

As we rode further down, grasses started appearing along with the Silversword plants.

This little cinder cone off to the side was gorgeous.  Bright red, orange, black and tan, blending together.  It kept drawing your eye.

This photo was actually taken in the afternoon on the way back, but it shows the trail leading off across the caldera.  We rode almost to where you see the clouds coming up.  Just around the hill center right is a cabin where we ate the lunch we packed in.

We’re both surprised we’re not in more pain than we are tonight.

Also from the afternoon - the clouds coming back up into the caldera.  We never did get into any of them, which made for a much more pleasant ride.

I’ve seen more flattering photos, but I’ve got to tell you - you won’t see many of them where I’m happier than I was right then.

Mother Earth is amazing folks.  There’s life in the most unlikely places, and beauty wherever you look, if you’re willing to see it.  We’re all (myself included) too casual about how we take care of her.  That needs to change.  Today I had crystal clear air up on the summit, and was able to enjoy seeing things at a great distance.  I could look off though, and see the brown cloud we put in the air.  I don’t know what the answer is, but we need to find a way to be better stewards of our planet.  Do the small things you can.  Recycle.  Combine errands.  Turn off lights when you’re not in the room.  Adjust the thermostat and wear a sweater, or wear shorts if it’s summer.  When the time comes for a new appliance or a new car, think about the energy it’s going to take to run it.  Base your decision on that, not on what looks best or what all your friends have.  If enough of us do little things, we can have a big impact.

Whew!  Didn’t mean to climb up on the soapbox, it just sort of happened.  But I do mean it.

Assorted photos:

Aloha!