Windblown and Happy on the Kapalua Coastal Trail

It was a stormy day, the beginning of what would turn into a week of island-wide rain. Some people choose to hide indoors on days like this. Sometimes I do too. But we had planned to hike, and the thought of fresh air and exercise were at the front of my mind. Not easily deterred, I drove up to the Kapalua Coastal Trail and headed out to the trail.

From resort-lined paths, we continued on to more rugged terrain. Rocky ground and sandy walkways were lined by grass. Signs alerted us to unseen seabird habitat and unfriendly cliffs. It was tame enough for most but provided just enough nature to satisfy me. Developed and yet somehow still a bit wild, the trail meandered along the coast, taking us with it.

Eventually we found ourselves on a beach. The high surf and sporadic rain left us by ourselves, joined only by an occasional passerby and two girls having lunch by some rocks. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I often find that the wild ocean puts me more at ease. It was not a calm postcard day, but there was something special about it. My hair was windblown, my sunglasses were covered with a blurry salt film, and I was happy. So happy.

Maybe part of what makes the outdoors so inviting is that is is both beautiful and untamable, unpredictable and inviting. The more I see, the more I realize that I have hardly even scratched the surface of the greatness of the outdoors.