Meet Wolf Moon

Meet Wolf Moon

On Maui I learn that each full moon has a name.  The one in January is called the Wolf Moon.

I guess having been born and raised in the Seattle area, I never thought much about full moons, as they often are MIA.  Years have gone by and I have not being wowed by full moons.

So we get to Maui in October and are sitting watching the sunset at the Honokowai beach across from our apartment.

We start to chat with a few neighbors when behind me a light turns on.  I think it must be park lights. It is so bright.  I turn around and it is the moon.  I am flabbergasted it is so brilliant.

Kevin and Faye start talking about Haleakala and how they treated themselves to a moonrise/sunset experience this past August.

I have never been thrilled at the prospect of getting up at 3 or 4am to drive in the dark, up to the top of a 10,000 foot volcano, in hopes that the skies were clear enough to witness the sunrise.  I knew it must be spectacular, but I was not motivated.

However, after hearing about their moonrise/ sunset experience I become excited.  I feel this is not only doable but in the realm of possibilities AND  I want to share this experience with Garrett and Erin.

Only a few details need to be worked out and occur simultaneously.  First no clouds/rain  at the top of the volcano.  Second no high winds.  Cars have been known to blow off the road!  Often the parks department closes the top portion of the road in order to prevent cars from cascading over the side.  And finally Garrett and Erin have to schedule a visit during a full moon.

They came in November - no go.  They came in January -  Huston we have a go! Not only is it a go  it is the WOLF MOON!  The crazy cool thing about the Wolf full moon on Maui and perhaps elsewhere is that the timing of the two events sunset/moonrise occur with in a minute of each other.

We drive up early and tour high country.  We arrive to the summit about 30 minutes before sunset/moonrise.  We have time to do a little bit of exploring.  Garrett and Erin go off to see the "Shifting Sands".  We go up a hill to see if we can still breath at 10,000 plus feet.

 

We drive up to the observatory parking lot.  The car is gasping for air.  We are at the highest  peak and here are these amazing plants, the silver sword.  I now know we have left planet!

WE ARE READY

 IT HAPPENS  

OMG IT IS AMAZING!

ALOHA

Self Portrait from top of Haleakala

Gracie

Meet Gracie.

Amazing Gracie, got to thank her for this moment.  We were trying to take a photo of our selves, it was the "golden" moment of the day... the setting perfect at the Old Lahaina Luau.  When we hear this voice behind us... "Want me to take your photo?"  We turn around and there is Gracie, big smiles, big attitude, all Hawaiian.  Who are we to say no... So we hand her our camera and she says "First things, First"  And then proceeds to snap off a few photos of her self  All the while telling us that we need mementos of  HERSELF!  Of course she was right.  After she was done snapping pics of self then she decided she wanted a portrait moment of all of us.  Finally when satisfied she took one photo of us, handed our camera back and left.  Never laughed so hard at a "photo shoot" nor had such a competent take charge multi-personalitied director.

A week or so later we were at "the WEDDING" beach.  This has become a favorite thing to do in the evening - watch the multiple wedding parties have their weddings performed and photo shoots taken at sunset.  Very entertaining.  One night we saw the number one photo shoot ever.  It was a lovely young couple all dressed up in traditional garments... They were at the far side of Kapalua Bay and working their way around of the horseshoe shaped beach towards us.  Did I tell you that the groom was also the cameraman?  He had his camera on a tripod - would position his bride, set the camera, run back, straigten his hair, get in position.... flash, photo taken.  By the time he came around to our side they were doing the more complicated traditional poses - kissing, bride held in grooms arms, etc.  Crazy fun to watch.

Well a few weeks later as Gary and I were watching more couples get married on shore we started to goof around and think about money making ventures.  We decided we could become "The Unique Wedding Package".  I, as a minister would perform the ceremony, Gary would be the photographer, Max would add the unique crazy element and Gracie could be Gracie and add whatever she wanted.

So I ask ya'll how many of you would like to participate in our wedding events?  Bring the wedding certificate and it could be real... don't and we can pretend while having loads of fun.