The Hiking Hoveys

Since June we have hiked EVERY Saturday! Yay for the Hiking Hoveys!!!If you know me, you know I am NOT a very good enthusiastic hiker. I like to complain. I try not to, and I've gotten light years better than I used to be. But without fail I always breakdown just before the summit or end of the trail. No matter the distance of the total hike it seems to be that within a hundred yards of the destination I 'm done and will tell Scotty I'm not going any further. My theory is that I have "trust issues" from previous hikes where people have said it's "just a little further" or "just around the bend" only to realize they mean like 2 miles more. I once was on a hike where I was told it was 4.5 miles. only to learn while on the hike that it was 4.5 miles ONE way!....yeah, so I'm still figuring out the whole happy attitude about hiking thing.

I must say tho, that I've really enjoyed hiking with our little Hoku. Mainly because of the great photo opportunities to "prove" I did something and because she is so cute!She LOVES hiking! After all she IS her father's daughter AND I think I'd probably like hiking too if someone carried me.

Yesterday we hiked Pu'u Pia located in Manoa Valley.

I liked it a lot because it was short (1.5 miles), mostly covered, and had a beautiful view. We are definitely spoiled here in Hawaii because ALL the views are gorgeous. Yesterday's hike felt like we were far away from the city, yet in reality we were about 5 minutes from everything.

I love how quickly the surroundings changed. We went from a residential neighborhood, to a jungle,to the top of the mountain where the Koa trees grew and back again. I always expect the dinosaur from Jurassic Park to jump out from behind the bushes at any moment....you know...the one who looks cute and then gets scary when his flappy ear things come out! FREAKED me out! (I was gonna post a picture of it but I got scared so I didn't).

Anyway walking around in the jungle always reminds me of that.

AND snakes.....

oh AND spiders......

 

hmmm...maybe that's why hiking might not be my favorite thing......

Thankfully Hawaii doesn't have any snakes...although there is the rare story of them finding one on the news every so often.....and they have those invasive species exhibits at the airport with the pickled snake in the jar.

I know Hawaii has  the big cane spiders, and I am lucky enough to NOT have encountered any...hopefully I never will.....

It must be a raised in the desert thing or something....jungles and ocean are a little scary for me.

I prefer the wooded areas with nice open trails.

 And the wide open space at the top....

.  

with the beautiful valley view.  

 Thankfully I have the hubby's and Hoku bear to keep me safe from the scary monsters in my head.I love how Hoku loves to see everything even if it's just peaking out from her napping/snacking spot.

This hike had it all!

And the best part is that we were back home in the pool in no time.