Saddest day of the year....

Lanny Chambers wrote:

> Pat, Pat, Pat. You don't slow down, you simply drive around the hole.
> The missing bits are always on straights, not in blind corners, and
> there's almost never any oncoming traffic anyway. Or any traffic, for
> that matter.

Low traffic is always a good thing.
I am sure that Deals Gap would have been less fun if it had been crowded
while I was there.

> Desert? Although US191 traverses plenty of desert farther north, the
> tasty part crosses two mountain ranges. It's cool and green.
>
> You really must make the trip...preferably in a Miata.

OK, you convinced me. I'll check it out sometime. It is basically on the
way to the part of California that I want to go to.

On another note, are there any fun roads in Hawaii? Does anyone know of
a company that rents Miatas there?

I will be hiking and camping on Maui for a good part of my trip, within
the fog belt of the Kula forest for up to three days, (6200 foot elevation).

Renting a car for a couple of days on the big island could be very cool
as well, especially if it is a Miata.

Pat

In article >, pws >
wrote:

> On another note, are there any fun roads in Hawaii?

My personal experience of Hawaii is limited to changing planes, but it
has a reputation for beautiful roads...and draconian speed enforcement.
I've been told that if you speed, even a little bit, you WILL be caught.
Just a warning.

--
Lanny Chambers
St. Louis, MO
'94C

> On another note, are there any fun roads in Hawaii? Does anyone know of
> a company that rents Miatas there?

The road up Haleakala (sp?) is great, but traffic can be heavy and there's
loads of bicycles coming down. And on the coast roads there's plenty of
idiots renting Ferraris etc and then trying to pass in a blind rage at the
traffic density.

On the Big Island we took the coast road south from Hilo, a Jeep would have
been more fun. There are places that rent them, if I was going there again
I'd get a Jeep and visit the peaks.

Hey, there's a fun place (lodge/resturant) about halfway up Haleakala that
had decent food and the most stunning view I've ever seen, if you can get a
window seat reservation. I felt like I was falling onto the other half of
the island. This info is 10+ years old tho... it was called the Kula Lodge,
in Kula, Maui. (Digs in files...) I've still got a brochure, phone then was
808-878-1535 or 800-233-1535.

miker

Lanny Chambers wrote:

> My personal experience of Hawaii is limited to changing planes, but it
> has a reputation for beautiful roads...and draconian speed enforcement.
> I've been told that if you speed, even a little bit, you WILL be caught.
> Just a warning.

Thank you, I will remember that. I am still not sure if I will be
driving at all while I am there, but that is nice to know.

Time to check some rental agencies. There is probably some type of
convertible for rent.

The main issue is price, as this is a true budget trip.

So far my total spent for getting there and back, 3 hotel nights and 7
campground nights is under $450.00.
It might hit $500.00 when I add in the cost to get to Maui and back from
Honolulu.

That doesn't count food, of course. ;-)

If anyone has anything that they can recommend as a "must-see", or a
"don't bother", please send me an email. I will see if there are any
Hawaiian forums that are of any use, but this is a fairly well-traveled
group, so who knows?

I am going in blind with no set plans on days 6 through 9, so anything
is helpful.

Thanks again,

Pat

miker wrote:

> The road up Haleakala (sp?) is great, but traffic can be heavy and there's
> loads of bicycles coming down. And on the coast roads there's plenty of
> idiots renting Ferraris etc and then trying to pass in a blind rage at the
> traffic density.
>
> On the Big Island we took the coast road south from Hilo, a Jeep would have
> been more fun. There are places that rent them, if I was going there again
> I'd get a Jeep and visit the peaks.
>
> Hey, there's a fun place (lodge/resturant) about halfway up Haleakala that
> had decent food and the most stunning view I've ever seen, if you can get a
> window seat reservation. I felt like I was falling onto the other half of
> the island. This info is 10+ years old tho... it was called the Kula Lodge,
> in Kula, Maui. (Digs in files...) I've still got a brochure, phone then was
> 808-878-1535 or 800-233-1535.
>
> miker

I just called and they do have openings on my birthday while I will be
there. You weren't kidding, what a fantastic dining area! The place just
looks great overall.

My budget went up a bit, I think, and there will be a lot of cleaning up
to do after 3 days on the trail before I can eat in there, but what a
neat place to look forward to!

They said to call back later today to get a window seat, it is only 6:49
a.m. there now.

http://kulalodge.com/

Thanks again,

Pat

<< Kula Lodge,
>
> I just called and they do have openings on my birthday while I will be
> there. You weren't kidding, what a fantastic dining area! The place just
> looks great overall.

Yeah, I just googled it too... that picture of the dining area at the bottom
of the menu? That's basically accurate but without the sense of vertigo...
when you're actually there the sense of depth and verticality is amazing.
Glad you'll be able to check it out!

miker

I lived in Hawaii for many years and all of the "fun roads" lead to the
beach, where the fun is. All of the roads that might be what Miata
drivers call fun, are up in the mountains and would scare the crap out
of you at any speed over about 15 MPH. The road that took you from one
side of the island to the other does not go thru anymore. (replaced by a
freeway) That road was a real expereance when the wind kicked up, very
narrow. They would put up "Small Car Warnings" signs. I know they lost
some VWs over the years when I lived there. As I remember it was about
700 ft. or more down and all rocks. I lost most of the convertable top
off my 48 Chev one day going back to Honolulu. It sounded like a cannon
going off.

Bruce Bing '03 LS

"pws" > wrote in message
...
> Lanny Chambers wrote:
>
> On another note, are there any fun roads in Hawaii? Does anyone know of a
> company that rents Miatas there?
>
> I will be hiking and camping on Maui for a good part of my trip, within
> the fog belt of the Kula forest for up to three days, (6200 foot
> elevation).
>
> Renting a car for a couple of days on the big island could be very cool as
> well, especially if it is a Miata.
>
> Pat
My wife and I have been to Maui and the Big Island. We rented a very small
Pontiac convertible (Sunfire) on Maui - there are some roads that the rental
contracts do not permit you to travel on - like single lane dirt around the
mountain with a 2000 foot dropoff - we went a mile or so on one before
becoming aware that I was in a prohibited area - it is not marked on the
road itself. I stopped when the road became one lane winding around the
mountain and I realized that someone would have to back up for quite a ways
if any vehicle came from the other direction.

We enjoyed the 38 mile bicycle ride down the central mountain. At the
elevation you are planning, be sure to carry some warm clothing, there is
considerable temperature variation as one gets into the heights.

On the big island - one excitement was rental flight time on a small
helicopter for an hour - with a certified flight instructor - piloting the
helo - about the size of a Miata, and able to travel in three dimensions
instead of two. We also went to the top of the white mountain by 4wd vehicle
(with a group) - it was 82 degrees at the beach, and a wind chill of minus
67 at the top (in December).

You will need a rental vehicle on either island, the only island with public
transportation all over is Oahu.

Jim

miker wrote:

> Yeah, I just googled it too... that picture of the dining area at the bottom
> of the menu? That's basically accurate but without the sense of vertigo...
> when you're actually there the sense of depth and verticality is amazing.
> Glad you'll be able to check it out!
>
> miker

They have a room available for $160.00 a night, and that is because it
is not peak season.
It's probably in the $250.00 to $300.00 range during the busy times.

That is a bit more than my normal cheap ******* hotel rates, but what
the hell, staying there for a night or two, especially after doing the
tent and air mattress thing, could be very worth it.

The rat trap hotels are about $60.00 to $70.00 a night.

Considering that this could easily be a once in a lifetime thing, I'll
spring for the extra $100.00 or so, at least for one night.

Thanks again for the recommendation.

Pat

BRUCE HASKIN wrote:
> I lived in Hawaii for many years

Bruce, you have lived in some pretty cool places.

> and all of the "fun roads" lead to the
> beach, where the fun is.

I plan on plenty of beach time, but what I am looking forward to the
most is the hiking and camping.

One of the campsites is described as similar to the area that you are in.
"Extensive trail system in the forest reserve, including through a
forest reminiscent of the conifer forests of the Pacific Northwest
coast, and with the elevation at 6200 feet, it occasionally freezes at
night."

> All of the roads that might be what Miata
> drivers call fun, are up in the mountains and would scare the crap out
> of you at any speed over about 15 MPH.

Sounds kind of like what US191 has been described to me as. (just kidding)

> The road that took you from one
> side of the island to the other does not go thru anymore. (replaced by a
> freeway) That road was a real expereance when the wind kicked up, very
> narrow. They would put up "Small Car Warnings" signs. I know they lost
> some VWs over the years when I lived there.

Do you mean VW Hippie vans? My first vehicle was a Ford Econoline van.
That one was quite an experience with high winds.

> As I remember it was about
> 700 ft. or more down and all rocks.

At least the fall would be quite scenic. ;-)

> I lost most of the convertable top
> off my 48 Chev one day going back to Honolulu. It sounded like a cannon
> going off.
>
> Bruce Bing '03 LS

Wow, that would not be fun.
Sounds like it could have been a problem for anyone behind you too!

Pat