Haleakala, Maui

Today we visited the extinct volcano on Maui, elevation 10, 043 feet. Temperature at the top was 43 and the wind was at least 40mph. To say the least, it was COLD!!! BUT BEAUTIFUL!!! We were lucky to see the silversword fern, which grows for 50 years before flowering, and then the plant dies. It is stunning. We also saw the observatories at the top, and then spent a little time in Hosmer's Grove looking for birds on the way down. We are hoping to return next week and spend more time "birding":))

To see more of my photos from our trip today, visit my FLICKR PAGE!

Our friends departed on a "red eye" back to Portland tonight! We will miss them...had a great 11 days with them!!!