Haleakala Crater Sunrise + Bike Tour

A few years ago, I saw a show on the travel channel about Maui's downhill bike tour.  It looked so exhilarating that I thought, "I want to do that one day".  On Tuesday, January 5, 2016, I had my chance.

Haleakala Crater Sunrise

We woke up around 1 in the morning and left the house by 2:15am so we could meet our group at the bike shop at 3am.  We were so tired!  We chose Haleakala Bike Company based on their reviews on TripAdvisor.  The guys at the bike store were direct and efficient with getting everyone fitted with helmet, rain gear, bike.  
Haleakala Bike Co. is located in Haiku.
  
Safety first!

Haleakala Crater Sunrise

Haleakala is a dormant volcano rising 10,023 ft above sea level.  Mark Twain described the sunrise as "the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed".  It is actually not really a crater.  It is due to eons of erosion, joining two valleys.  It is an impressive sight, so massive that Manhattan could fit inside it.  We got to the summit 1.5 hours early so we had a bit of time to look at the stars.  Oh, let me warn you.  If you plan on doing this tour, WEAR WARM CLOTHES!  I wish I had those little hand warmers inside my gloves.  It is extremely cold up there.  
Southern Cross

I really wish I anticipated the stars and brought a tripod to take pictures of the Milky Way while we were waiting for the sunrise.  The park is open 24/7 so you can go anytime to capture amazing pictures.  I did get to see a constellation that I wouldn't get to see back home, the Southern Cross.  In the Northern Hemisphere, you have to be in Southern Texas, Florida, or Hawaii.  It also has to be at the right time of year and right time of the night.  Since we were in Hawaii, we were able to get an excellent view before sunrise.  This constellation is used as a symbol on flags of several nations in the Southern Hemisphere such as Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand.
photo credit:  ESO/Yuri Belesky

Haleakala Sunrise

The legend is goddess Hina complained to her son Maui that the sun moved too quickly across the sky, not allowing her tapa cloth to dry.  The next morning before sunrise, Maui went to the top of Haleakala and waited for the sun.  When the sun came, Maui lassoed it and said he would let the sun go only if it agreed to cross the sky more slowly.  The sun agreed and that is why Maui is blessed with long sunny days!  Haleakala means "House of the Sun".  

The morning of our visit, it was too cloudy to see the sun rise.  That's the risk you take.  I was able to get a few pictures while I was waiting.


So cold!  Laura couldn't feel her toes.




 

Downhill Bike Ride

We had a rainy start and I honestly was a bit disappointed.  I was tired, cold, didn't get to see the sun rise above the clouds, and now was about to bike in the rain.  The guide assured us that as we got further down, the rain would stop.  The bike ride is self guided, 23 miles, with 29 switchbacks.


We started to make our descent, rain hitting us in the face.  I was thinking, "we aren't going to be able to get any good pictures."  Sure enough though, the weather started to clear and we were greeted with a beautiful rainbow!  I think about life and how there are times when things don't go our way, making us miserable.  However, we can't forget to talk to God and lean on Him, during the good and bad times.  When we persevere, we appreciate and are grateful for the beautiful things.  We should thank God daily for his grace and mercy and appreciate it all.  Our life experiences grow our faith.



  

For breakfast, we parked our bikes and ate at the Kula Lodge.  The food was fantastic and the view is breathtaking.


Laura's delicious breakfast of champions.
I like my pancakes like I like Haleakala Crater. 
Replenished and ready to ride!
On the way down, we biked along a beautiful pasture with four white horses.  Laura and I are both animal lovers so of course we had to stop!

stallion selfie.

Two blondes in a pasture.






We returned to the bike shop and earned our t-shirts!


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