Maui Vacation: An Untold Adventure

Two months have already passed since we returned from our memorable Maui trip. Several people have expressed surprise that I didn’t blog more about this. Little did they know the untold story, how we were desperately trying to keep our spirits up while I devoted all my energies to supporting my sick husband and he devoted all his to pretending he felt better than he did so he wouldn't ruin the vacation for me. I thought his embarrassing ailments would remain our secret forever. Little did I know that after we returned home, he would share his story with the world, with the noble desire to help other men avoid the trials he suffered.  If you haven't already, you can read this fascinating story here ("Vacation with a Dark Twist").

If you don’t wish to read his tragic tale of woe, suffice it to say, we arrived in Maui on Friday afternoon, and after a great deal of misery and a harrowing trip to the emergency room through strange dark streets, my poor husband suffered the indignity of having a catheter bag strapped to his leg on Monday evening, where it remained for 8 days until after our return home. This cramped our style just a little. Especially since it caused him extreme pain to stand up, sit down, walk, or move in any other way. 

On Thursday we managed to go out to lunch, and afterwards we drove out to Makena State Park, where I wanted to see Big Beach. When we got there, Will said he would just stay in the car while I went to the beach.That did not sound fun for either of us, but fortunately I already had an alternate plan. I had worn my running shoes, knowing that this beach was about five miles from our condo, so I told him I would like to take a beach run/walk back there. He wasn’t thrilled about it, but since he just wanted to go back and take a nap, it was easy to talk him into it!

It was about 2:30 p.m. when I started my walk at Big Beach. So beautiful. The beach ended with an easy climb up a cliff that divided it from Little Beach At the top, a young man was strumming a ukulele and greeted me with, "Aloha, do you need any herbal today?" Really, do I look like I need any “herbal”? I guess you never know.

After a little rocky outcropping, Little Beach was viewable. I stayed on the trail above in the trees, knowing that it was a nude beach but noticing (when I took a quick glance!) there were also clothed people there .

Again, it became rocky, and was breathtakingly beautiful as I climbed and hiked the irresistibly rough trail that beckoned me along the edge of the cliff. There were only a few other people up there. The trail  grew rougher and I thought it might be  ending, but a middle aged couple was climbing over the rocks on the way back, and they assured me the trail continued on.

I was totally enthralled by the gorgeous scenery, the rocky cliffs, the amazing blue and aqua of the water below.  I was disconcerted when I realized a couple of naked guys were climbing a rock. 

But I continued on. Oh, no, more of them up ahead. 

Well, the trail was getting pretty rough anyway. I saw some trails back in the trees so I headed there, away from the edge to avoid the naked guys ahead. (Yep, those white specks on the lower right hand side!)

A young man who had been on the trail behind me when I started was coming toward me. “Ma’am, what are you doing here?” he asked.

“I’m hiking the beach back to my condo.”

“Sorry, but you can’t go any further. The trail ends in the rocks ahead,”

“Well, “ said I, “Maybe I’ll just cut through these trees back to the road.”

“No,”he declared. “You can’t get through that way either…..Ma’am, you do not want to be here. This is a hookup area for gay men. I've been watching you and wondering what you were doing up here.”

Well, to say I was shocked and appalled is a slight understatement. I needed no convincing to quickly skedaddle out of  the area. He escorted me back, on the trail away from the edge of the cliff, and departed from me when we were in safe territory. Such a nice young man; he kindly assured me that a straight woman was perfectly safe there.  But how unbelievable. So, 40 minutes after I started, I was back at the parking lot with 1.5 miles on Runkeeper, heading to the road for the first leg of the journey.

I saw so many beautiful flowers, this lovely church, and fabulous homes and resorts as I walked, pausing to take many pictures. I left the road every time I saw a beach access sign and returned to it when the beach became inaccessible. 

Sometimes I would walk the beach and have to turn back because the only access was private or a rocky cliff I couldn’t get around. There were lots of little beach parks along the way where I could splash myself with water to cool off.

Sometimes it seemed like the journey would never end, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. And of course, I sent Will a text periodically so that he could rest in peace knowing that I was safe. I hope it didn’t disturb his napping too much!

A wedding was taking place at the beach right by our condo.

I trekked over 8 miles before getting back just before 6 p.m., barely in time to grab a drink and head down with my husband for the evening ritual of watching the sunset at 6:12.

After the gorgeous sunset, (which is also my blog cover photo) as Will and I were sitting there on a bench, an older man and his wife went by. He asked us if we knew that the bench where we sat is known as the Lover’s Bench. He made me move my water bottle out from between us, scoot close, and lean our heads toward each other. “There you go, much better!” he said.  We did not tell him our unromantic tale of woe.

Then again, it never hurts to lean on each other. We took our picture to immortalize the moment.

Just another day of our unforgettable Hawaiian vacation.