haleakala

Haleakala Sunrise

This volcanic peak is 10,000 ft high.
Though inactive for years the crater bottom is still warm

We started out about 3 hr before dawn, not knowing how long it would take. Up Haleakala we drove following other traffic. Weaving back and forth up the mountain road. It was pitch black due to cloud cover. Just after the state park gate we saw a rest area off to the right with a light to the side. Finding the restrooms open we used them to change into heaver clothing. Then we continued to wind up the mountain road. There were little or no guard rails and in the darkness you imagined unbelievable drops, so you were anything but sleepy. Eventually we arrived at the top parking lot. Finding only 3 or 4 cars, we knew it was early, so we parked next to a bank. The bank seemed to go up 20 or 30 feet. Getting out we found the wind extra strong and cold, we will think about going up the bank later. So we stayed in the car with the heater running. After a short nap others started arriving. Several people were walking up the bank, they were going somewhere so we followed them up the side walk. To our surprise there was a small round building that must (to dark to know) over look the parking lot. Maybe this will provide an even better view of the sunrise.

Everyone is waiting in this small round building on the top of Haleakala. The building at the very top, has a single room with windows all around, maybe 30 feet. across. There is an 8 ft. walkway around the outside of the building In the pitch black darkness numerous shivering people are waiting for what they all hope will be a spectacular sun rise. The darkness gradually gives way to the earliest dawn as it seeps through the clouds. Now everyone is hoping the clouds are just thick enough to bring out all the suns rainbow of colors as it starts their day. Then someone shouts here it comes and everyone runs outside onto the outside walkway, no one wants to miss even a twinkle of those perceived colors. The. extra strong winds and 32 degrees is chilling you down to bone while your body shivers to regain the warmth you thought was cold just a few minutes ago. Then you look over an see someone in short sleeves shivering even more than you. Now somehow trying to keep your camera warm isn't nearly so hard. Then the colors start to appear and you are using your camera to capture the splendor. The colors keep expanding to an array of colors from the rainbow. Then they subside as the sun begins to peak through those clouds that just a few minutes ago were ablaze in color. Now you head for anything warm and hope those pictures will tell the story of the spectacular view you just witnessed.

Well maybe the clouds were a little thick for our second visit, but it was grand compared to the almost complete over cast the day before. Then you think about yet another visit, but your body rebels as it recalls the wind sucking the last breath of warmth away. Now you start to shiver again and turn the heater up another notch as you are driving down..