Today felt more normal with a great mix of people and scenery. And some challenges and surprises too!

  To begin with, my butt is doing better with the different bike seat. I’ve learned to raise up just enough when crossing those dreaded bumps. Next time, I will bring my own seat. I had an agenda after another wonderful night in good hotel, the Hotel Honoka’a Club. It rained most of the night and loud birds were chirping constantly. I loved it all.

   First, I wanted to start down the coast toward Hilo and explore along the way. The road shoulder for the most part were plenty wide and traffic was moderate and courteous. Being on a new bike makes me unsure at times but all turned out well. First up was a stop at Donna’s Cookies, a fast moving little cookie factory right on the highway. As soon as you enter, they give out samples. I chose peanut butter and got 10 cookies for a great price. The boss let me take their picture, but all the ladies got serious and looked down instead of laughing as they had been.

    I moved on and just happened to ride by the smallest Post Office I have ever seen. Just about an 8ft. X 8ft., with one operator inside. I met Mary Jo Stevenson coming out and we struck up a conversation across the road that soon moved to just in front of the building. Mary Jo is a local pastor and former Ironman Triathlon competitor. Mary Jo said, “At one time, this was the smallest PO in America and the tour buses used to stop often. Not sure if it still is.”

  After that, I had my heart set on the Akaka Falls State Park. Mary Jo told me it was uphill and was it ever at about 400 feet in elevation per mile for nearly four miles. I had read about some theft occurring from parked cars and wondered what I could do with the $2800 bike. I got the one park attendant to watch it and all turned out well. The falls are spectacular, at 442 feet which doubles the height of Niagara Falls. Got some great pictures and rocketed down the hill to Mr. Ed’s Bakery in Hononu. I met Rick, Jenny and Patty from Livermore, California amid a great conversation of cycling in general and my 50th state. Rick’s group sampled most everything in the store while I got a blueberry and a lilikoi turnover. Lillikoi is made of passion fruit and I am about to eat it now. I did sample the taste and loved it.

   Next up was decision time about where to spend the night in Hilo. I chose Arnott’s Lodging and Adventures where I have a very unique room. There are two other bedrooms in this apartment but no one will use them, leaving me with a large bathroom and kitchen for my own use through early Saturday morning. Gloria did a great job of taking care of me and it is from here that I take a van tour of the Volcanoes National Park on Friday.

  Then will come free time in the afternoon in Hilo. I am on the beach, and have been directed to a nearby black sand beach and rainbow falls. I’ll be on the bike again for these places and more. Tentatively, the bike and I plan to return to Kona early on Saturday morning.

   Today was the best day yet in Hawaii! I loved it all except that terrible climb, or maybe the terrible climb just made all the rest seem better. With that, I hope you will join me for Friday’s update and some more fun. Keep sending your messages and ideas, and those prayers too! See you back here tomorrow!