Day 12 - Waimea Canyon and the Alakai Swamp Hike

We started off today with a couple of roadside geology lessons/botany lessons. 

Dempsey had a wardrobe malfunction and looked like this for most of the day today. Quite entertaining!!

Next stop was the Iliau Nature Loop. The pictures really don't do the view justice. Just beautiful!!

On up the twisty road we stopped at another lookout over the canyon. Again, the pictures just don't do these views justice. 

A view from the lunch table and probably the most beautiful view in Hawaii!!  

Then for the final stop of the day. "The Hike". This "hike" is not your normal hike where you have a nice walk with a few challenging places. No. This hike takes you up and down some of the trickiest areas that I have been in.  Last year the hike was bone dry (and so was the swamp). This year, it was a tad cooler and it misted a bit on us. There were some very sloshy spots and a couple of close calls. But, we made it. My feet are very angry with me. 

I kept looking over and seeing this view. Swamp. Oh. It was OK. This view, breathless!!

Pizza party tonight with the whole crew. Tomorrow they are off to the airport and them to Texas. I'll stay one more night in Oahu. I cannot believe it has been 2 weeks!!