Sharry Miller

Sunrise on Haleakala

There has to be a darn good reason to get up at 3:00 in the morning and drive for two hours. I managed to convince my family that no trip to Maui was complete without driving to the top of Haleakala, the island's highest mountain, to see the sunrise. With coffee and snacks in hand, we were all more or less willing. Our bible, Maui Revealed, warned us that it would be cold on the... Read more →

Exploring Maui - to Lahaina

I actually don't mind a rainy day in Hawaii. Sometimes it's nice to have a break from the sun. This one, however, came a little too early in the trip. I wasn't quite ready for a weather change yet. After breakfast, I made Thane take a walk in the drizzle with me, just for a couple of miles. Walking doesn't bother my knee nearly as much as sitting too long. I did try to speed... Read more →

Wounded in Hawaii, Again

I have a three-inch long scar just behind the toes on my right foot from stepping on a sharp lava rock at a beach on the Big Island about eight years ago. Today I added to my collection again. First things first though. Rather than going for a run this morning, Rowan and I walked the full length of Kama'ole Beaches III, II, and I. I listed in them in reverse order because we're staying... Read more →

Hana Highway

I came to the conclusion today that we are well and truly spoiled. We drove the incredibly twisty highway to Hana today, a stretch of road on the north side of the island of Maui, Hawaii, best known for its many waterfalls. We saw a few, but none we were really willing to stop for. Once you've driven through Keystone Canyon on the way to Valdez and gawked at the waterfalls there, nothing else compares.... Read more →

Visiting Maui

The problem with vacationing in a place like Hawaii is that there isn't really much to write about when all you're doing is spending the day hanging out on the beach. I know, I know, I'm getting no sympathy. Trust me, I'm not complaining. Not every trip can be Peru or Bhutan, and that's okay with me. Anyway, we're spending Christmas vacation in Maui, the three of us and Thane's mom, Carol. We have a... Read more →

Season Firsts

There's just something special about the first time I do something each season, even if they're firsts I have every year. First bike ride in the spring when the highway is just barely dry enough to ride safely. First hike of summer when the trails aren't yet overgrown with nettles and cow parsnip. First blueberry picking trip to Thompson Pass in the fall when the tundra is crimson and smells of autumn. Today, it was... Read more →