The Burns Ohana: Our Trip to Iao Valley

*originally posted 5.19.07*

With so much to do around the house it's hard to just relax, especially for Greg. So, on Saturday, we decided to go see some of the island and get out of the house. We drove about 45 minutes to the Iao valley, just outside of Wailuku. Cam slept the whole way and woke up right when we arrived.

The Valley is gorgeous! Right when you get out of the car and head to the bridge, you see the Iao needle. It's magnificent! So tall and so green, simply beautiful!

We head off, with tennis shoes on (my feet hadn't seen tennis shoes for some time as I live in thongs!) We had a backpack full with a picnic. I had Bud while Greg carried Cam. We walked a bit and then went off the beaten path. We walked through the trees on this narrow path that had been made simply by people who also took the turn off the main path. Greg led us and then found us a great spot right on the river. With a tiny mini beach of pebbles we set up camp.

Bud was the first to jump into the crystal clear water, drinking it as he paddled. Then Cam went for it. Then Greg and finally Cam talked mommy into putting her feet in - it was COLD! But we all loved it! It was so nice. We were alone in this gorgeous valley with the water rushing by us, the birds calling to eachother, it was awesome!

We ate our sandwiches, pickles, crackers and cheese and then chilled. It was fabulous! Little Cam got naked, his fave thing to do in the wild, and enjoyed putting the leaves into the river and watch them go down stream like little boats. We relaxed and laughed and just enjoyed it before we packed up and headed back into the forrest. It was awesome!