Suddenly the rain started

There was no sign of rain as I left Akaka State Park. By the time I entered Hilo the sky was getting really dark and clouds were rolling in. I was stopped at the light in front of Ken’s Pancake House when BANG! A thunder clap so loud it seemed to shake the car opened up the downpours. I do mean Downpours! This was rain of biblical proportions. It was a deluge. I know Hilo is on the rainy side of the island but this was crazy! I decided to scratch Rainbow Falls and head back to Kona…the dry side. Of course I never do anything easy. I missed a turn somewhere and found myself down by the harbor. It was breathtaking even in the weather, or maybe because of the storm. The waves were breaking high on a rocky shore. No quiet black sand beach here.

Stock

stock

Ken’s Deserves a Mention

Although I didn’t stop for lunch at Ken’s it was a familiar landmark. When we were on the Big Island in 2007 we ate many meals there. I was good to see it was still operating. From the looks of the parking lot, which was full, they were still doing a brisk business. Ken’s House of Pancakes opened its doors in 1971. It became the first, and only 24-hour business on the East-side of the Big Island. It’s got a huge menu with a wide variety. Just because it says Pancake house doesn’t mean you can’t get a good burger.

The Deluge Continues

stock

Back on the right track I decided to head over toward Volcano National park. The rain was showing so sign of letting up but I was hoping it would follow the normal pattern of a brief rain shower and then sun. It wasn’t looking promising. If anything the rain was coming down even harder. Windshield wipers on high just couldn’t keep up. Cars were pulling over to wait for a break in the storm. I continued on, slowly. When I reached Volcano National Park and there was no sign of the rain letting up I decided to head back to Kona. I didn’t know that with the new road it was quicker to retrace my steps than to go over the southern mountain. Besides I wanted to see if the road was as scary as I remembered it. After all, I survived the Road to Hana on Maui so this road should be a piece of cake.

Big Island Scenic Drive

photo credit Waimea-Parker Ranch Bed Site

Driving around the Big Island has changed since my last visit. There’s now a “Short Cut” as the locals call it that cuts from the Kona Side to the Hilo on the east. It saves quite a bit of time as you don’t have to go to North Kohala or Waimea. Both beautiful areas Waimea is home to the Parker Ranch , a large cattle ranching operation that also offers hunting and ATVing.

Waimea, just a beauty
(Ke Anu O Waimea, Kuana Torres)

High above sun-drenched beaches and vast black lava fields, between the mountain shoulders of Kohala and Mauna Kea lies a green, rolling country where the cold misty rains blow on swirling winds. Here, where water is plentiful and forests grow tall in the hills, is the heart of Parker Ranch.”

When you leave Hilo or even Volcano National Park it is still shorter to return this way than to take the winding road over the mountain.

Kona Coast

DCF 1.0

Feral Goats Still Roam

As I headed across the island toward Hilo I thought I saw a goat! A bit further along I spotted another one. I thought they were probably some farmer’s or maybe a child’s pet but as I continued along I saw more and more. I began to wonder if they were wild. After a bit of research I learned that prior to 1778, there were no goats on any of the Hawaiian Islands. It was upon the arrival of Captain Cook and Captain Vancouver that goats were introduced to the islands. It is believed that the first goats were brought on shore in the Kealakekua Bay area of Kona. I made a note to come back another day to get some pictures. They seemed to be very plentiful. So no donkeys but they do have goats!

Hilo and Akaka Falls

Akaka Falls 2007

Just north of Hilo I started watching for the turn off to Akaka Falls. I took pictures when I was here in 2007 but I wanted to see if I could get some fresh photos with my new camera. The Falls were farther off the main road than I remembered. As I began to approach the state park the road was clogged with cars. They were parked all along the sides of the road. A lemonade stand was doing a brisk business. The parking area was filled ($5.00). Since walking any long distance was an iffy proposition I really wanted to get into the parking lot. $5.00 was a small price to pay but no one seemed to be leaving. I decided to go see if I could fine Rainbow Falls. After that I could come back. Maybe everyone would have gone to lunch by then.