People keep talking about the energy that is under our feet here in Hawaii because of the volcanic activity and the constant creation of new land. This energy also seems to draw very spiritually aware people to the island to connect with the spirit they feel here. My husband and I met a group of such people yesterday for a hike down to the verdant, lush and gorgeous Polo’lu Valley outside of Hawi on the northern end of the island.
New friends!
This group is working with my friend, Nancy Sweatt, owner of Dolphin Journey’s and Martin Grassberger, a personal trainer who have created a Dolphin Wellness Retreat to bring people together here on the island to experience the joy of swimming with dolphins, hiking, working out on long white sand beaches, and connecting with the special energy on this island. We had a chance to join this group as they traveled into the valley to scope out the path for the retreat being held in October.
The young people we met on this adventure were a treat! We hiked down to the valley floor, then across the beach and then up the other side. The trail went up into a dense jungle and we were all laughing that it was like a long hike in an episode of “Survivor”. Along the way, one of the hikers, Stephanie and I were talking about finding signs that meant something special to us if we looked for them.
She found a lava rock with a perfect heart (her favorite sign) on the beach. (Which goes with the concept of, when you set your mind to find something, it’s amazing how the universe gives you what you want)
A “sign” presented
During the hike, the weather gave us bit of everything, from rain, sunshine, wind and calm. Being surrounded with such serene and unspoiled beauty gave us all a chance to talk about being connected to the land, gratefulness for having our health, and the company of new and old friends. It’s amazing how far you can push yourself (like up the side of the mountain surrounded by jungle) when you are talking about being blessed instead of worrying about mosquitos!
If you ever find yourself in this valley and want to experience this hiking adventure, walk across the mouth of the valley and follow the trail up into the forest on the other side. It’s difficult enough to make you know you are hiking, but it’s such interesting terrain, you want to keep going to see what’s around the next corner!
So, I was thinking about my dad, who passed away in April, and since his death, I have been seeing rainbows. When I see one, I think of it as a sign he has presented to me so I remember him. As we were walking back across the valley, my husband yelled, “Get the camera!” and I looked up to see the most beautiful, bright rainbow on the ocean and the cliffs. It was just spectacular!
A rainbow in paradise
The group got to the other side of the valley and we started the trek back up the mountain..with visions of a cocktail at Bamboo restaurant in Hawi as our motivator! When we got half way up, we were pleasantly surprised to see the rainbow still hanging over the rocks. We were the only ones left on the trail and we all knew we were seeing something very special. I had a chance to thank my dad for being there, thank the island for presenting us such a view and Pele/spirit for giving me the day with a group of people to enjoy this adventure with. Sometimes you get what you want, right when you need it.
How lucky were we to see this?
The valley floor
Spread the word if you love what you heard! #365kona so we can say Thanks!
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Polo’lu Valley is in my top two places on the Big Island. Absolutely love it! When you followed the trail to the other side how far up did you up the trail? Just curious if the views are different than one from the trail going down to the beach.
Hi Jonathan! We went almost up to the top on the other side. When we went, the fruit was on the ground and rotting and stinking to high heaven! LOL! It was hot, humid and smelly..that was in October. I’d do it again and get to the top and see what the view is on the other side.
First, remember that the clock is runinng while you’re in the transition area so, it is not a time to lolly-gag . You must have things ready to go so you can change quickly.You’ll have a designated parking place for your bike. Make certain you know exactly where it is and the most direct route to the bike. When planning your route, plan on crowds of other athletes being around you. Many swimmers will wear their swim suit on their bike. You might want to have a pair of light shorts and some sort of shirt hanging on the bike. Just put them on FAST. Have your biking shoes (socks? not all wear socks) wide open so you can quickly get your feet into them. Have the shoes facing a direction so that you can quickly get your feet in them. Be certain your shoes are not brand new and that you know that your feet are comfortable in them. You should also have them adjusted to the proper tightness. Have your runinng shoes, like your bike shoes, wide open so you can quickly slip your feet into them. Plan on how you’ll tie your shoes as, if you have the laces too open close to your toes you’ll have to tighten them to the correct tightness or you’ll get blisters on your feet with loose shoes or your toes will jam the tip of the shoe and you’ll wreck your toenails or your feet will start to ache if the laces are too tight. So, have you shoes adjusted so you can get into them but you don’t have to play with the laces. You should be able to run in the same clothes you wore on the bike.Have some water or sports drink ready and guzzle some down before you get on the bike and as you start your bike. That way you’ll not have to carry that one container and you’ll be hydrated at the beginning of the bike leg of your Tri. GOOD LUCK!
First, remember that the clock is runinng while you’re in the transition area so, it is not a time to lolly-gag . You must have things ready to go so you can change quickly.You’ll have a designated parking place for your bike. Make certain you know exactly where it is and the most direct route to the bike. When planning your route, plan on crowds of other athletes being around you. Many swimmers will wear their swim suit on their bike. You might want to have a pair of light shorts and some sort of shirt hanging on the bike. Just put them on FAST. Have your biking shoes (socks? not all wear socks) wide open so you can quickly get your feet into them. Have the shoes facing a direction so that you can quickly get your feet in them. Be certain your shoes are not brand new and that you know that your feet are comfortable in them. You should also have them adjusted to the proper tightness. Have your runinng shoes, like your bike shoes, wide open so you can quickly slip your feet into them. Plan on how you’ll tie your shoes as, if you have the laces too open close to your toes you’ll have to tighten them to the correct tightness or you’ll get blisters on your feet with loose shoes or your toes will jam the tip of the shoe and you’ll wreck your toenails or your feet will start to ache if the laces are too tight. So, have you shoes adjusted so you can get into them but you don’t have to play with the laces. You should be able to run in the same clothes you wore on the bike.Have some water or sports drink ready and guzzle some down before you get on the bike and as you start your bike. That way you’ll not have to carry that one container and you’ll be hydrated at the beginning of the bike leg of your Tri. GOOD LUCK!
[…] swim with dolphins with Jan Salerno, or just go snorkeling (free), go for a drive past Hawi and hike at Pololu Valley with a picnic and just lay on the beach down there. (Black sand!) We would also just sit at an […]
[…] swim with dolphins with Jan Salerno, or just go snorkeling (free), go for a drive past Hawi and hike at Pololu Valley with a picnic and just lay on the beach down there. (Black sand!) We would also just sit at an […]
[…] baked cookies in the early evening if you happen to be in the lobby! Families can also do the Pololu Beach hike, which I have written about before. Great for an exciting hike down to the beach where there […]
[…] baked cookies in the early evening if you happen to be in the lobby! Families can also do the Pololu Beach hike, which I have written about before. Great for an exciting hike down to the beach where there […]