Hana Highway

 We got up early and got to CJ's Cafe as soon as they opened to get the Hana box lunch for our long day ahead.  We are so glad we did and it was delicious!  This picture is an example of the views we enjoyed all day.  You can't see it but the highway is in this picture too.  We just drove around that back cliff.

 I couldn't count how many times we saw this sign.  There were tons of sharp curves to maneuver. 

 Our first stop, making our way down to the water.

 At the bottom

It started to rain a bit but cleared up by the time we made it back up to the car.

 We made it half way!  This is where you can get what is known as the best banana bread.  I must say. it was pretty tasty.

 The next stop was Three Bears.  Just gorgeous!

 I look dumb in the picture,  The guy taking our picture made me laugh.

 Beautiful Three Bears

 After three bears the rain started again and this time we had to pull over and put the top up on the car.  The timing of the rain worked out.  We got to the Black Sand Beach when we were ready to eat lunch.  We ate our lunch in the car and waited for the rain to let up.

 When we were done with lunch the rain was down to a drizzle so we walked down to the beach.  It was really neat to see.  

The sand is actually small, smooth lava pebbles.

(I don't know why this picture loaded this way)

 Black Sand Beach in the background

 The beautiful scenery on our way to our next stop.  I just loved all the beautiful waterfalls we saw that day.

 We drove past Hana to the Haleakala National Park to see the Seven Sacred Pools (above)

 At the bottom

 Seven Sacred Pools behind us.  The little bit of rain they got that day closed the access to the pools.  We were bummed we couldn't get in the water.  It was still great to see.

 So pretty.  The water didn't look that high to us but I know it's better to be safe.  Next to the closure notice they posted an article about a man and his son that got swept out to sea due to high waters.

 We wished we would have had more time to explore more of the park.  We had to hit the windy road back before it got dark.  I can not imagine driving it in the dark!

 Out in the middle of nowhere on the Hana Highway there are Packer fans!  Of course Chuck had to have a picture of it.

 The road was narrow and there were a lot of these one lane bridges.

 On the way to Hana you are hugging the cliffs.  On the way back you are balancing on the road to not fall off the cliff.  The views were all worth it!

That day was my birthday.  Instead of a candle in my dessert they lit the whole thing on fire :)  I couldn't think of a better place to spend my birthday!