Celebration of Sky

We needed a breath of fresh air after many winding curves heading

 to our camping spot for the evening.  It was cool weather!

We loved it!

Destination: Haleakala National Park

We arrived a bit late in the day.  We ran to the visitors center before

it closed and then came back to set up camp.

Then of course we had to try the snacks we had picked up.

I had to get these tin cups especially because we were doing a

Little House in the Big Woods unit in school.

Cheers!  To US!  Mama and Dada are celebrating 20 YEARS...

we went camping with our two and planned to see sunset and sunrise.

I told Drew I am a cheep date, no 20 year Bahamas trip for me!

Highlight always...Smores!

Campsite was Hosmer's Grove..such a special spot as that

is where God brought Papa to deliver him home.

Where Papa saw the woman camper, it was fun to once

again tell the tale of their papa's adventure and homecoming.

A sweet little hike winds it way around the campground.

We went off path a bit to tell more of Papa's story.

Beyond this a bit is where Papa headed our of the park

and into the Nature Reserve.

There could be poems written about the clouds of Haleakala

They demand such a presence as they are breathtaking and

every changing.  They are ever before you as you wind around

the mountain making your way to the top of Haleakala and thus

rising above the clouds.

After our hike, we headed up to the top to make sunset.

It was so cold.  We have not been really cold

in about 8 months.  These two were camped out

in the van, I just made them get out for a quick picture. 

She captures beauty as much as the sunset.

Happy Anniversary babe!

Now back to the campsite.  It is dark and we need to light a fire

so we can munch on some hot dogs.  Previous blog

on camping trip stated our issues over fire building.

This trip only confirmed our lack of fire skills.  But we

did have a lot to contend with....

Andrew bragged about the great coals he choose.  Well, we

found out they were simmering coals which take awhile to light

before they are "simmering."  After I lit a million matches, Dev held the

umbrella because there was a light rain. and telling the kiddos

that we may be having Zone Bars for dinner...the coals lit!

Andrew blew on that coal and we had hot dogs and Smores after all!

 Had to take the above picture just so we could have a smore shot.

I forced my family out of bed the next morning at 4:15 AM!  Andrew

could not believe we had to get up that early but I was listened

to the Park Ranger telling how many tourists come early and I

wanted a space in the parking lot.

It was amazing how many people were there and how

light began shortly after we arrived.

All of us just waiting and watching for the light.

Our babes are such good sports!  It was cold and early.

The sky was mostly just cloudy and then when it seemed

nothing else would show...the sun came up as a gold ball.

We cheered!

Then there was LIGHT! 

Out there to the right is the Big Island.

Silversword plant

Looking towards the West Maui mountains.

Then a short 3 minute drive to the summit.

Me and my girl!  Still in our sleeping clothes!

 

Dev and I took a hike while Bobo was crashed out in the

car.  We were able to see how all the islands were formed (or

are being formed now) from volcanic activity.

There are still remains from the Hawaiians who built dwellings

when they would come to the mountain to collect rocks to make tools.

Deveraux receiving her junior ranger badge from Haleakala National Park.

Another lookout point

Those clouds again!

 

Back to the campsite, now it is Deveraux who fell asleep.  So

we hung out in the groove with Bobo for awhile.

Bobo said, "I love that it's nice and quiet."

As I sat looking at these trees, I remembered Carmel.  Although

never far from my thoughts, being in the woods and out of the palm's,

was a visceral reminder.  I wasn't ready to leave Carmel. I sat

in those woods and I feel the cool.  I see the trees, massive trees.

I hear the wind and see it as it ripples through the trees. 

It beckons me.

We had a really sweet time as a family before we headed home.

We were the only ones in the grove for a bit. This is sacred ground

to me, it always will be.  I cried out to God with every fiber of my being

to bring my dad home.  HE did!  And this is where he brought him.

Sacred ground.

Hosmer's Grove, the place of a miracle