I yawned for what felt like the twentieth time to clear my ears. The sign out my window said 5,000 feet. The road got thinner and uneven which resulted in many jolts and jerks as we made our way to the top of the dormant volcano. The sun was still beaming through the wispy stretched out clouds and by the time we had hit the 7,000-foot mark, the clouds had fallen to eye level. However, the rest of the journey still remained. Palm trees turned into pine trees and then it was just hills of rock, dust, and some scrub.
FINALIST 2015 FTF TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
At last we arrived just below the 10,000-foot mark, and everything surrounding us was gray and red rock. We pulled into one of the parking spaces and I awkwardly slipped my sweat pants over my neon pink shorts and put on my sweatshirt. Maybe it was the thinner air affecting me but I was beyond excited, so much so that I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. I was above the clouds; I was a bird, a plane seeing the world from a new perspective.
Even stuffed in my hoodie pockets, my fingers were red and shaking. Who knew that just hours ago I was trying to cool off from the heat. It was like another world. It had only been half of an hour waiting for the sun to set but it felt like a lifetime. At long last the sky began to melt into delicious warm colours. First hot pink followed by gold and then amber. The colours melted together as if the sky was cooking a fall festival, and I was in complete awe.
So this was why the parking lot was full of tour buses and cars, why the people lined the railing overlooking the now red rock landscape from the sinking sun. For many visitors their journey was done. They witnessed the glorious sky show and now they made their way back down the hour and a half mountain drive.
Even as the crowds decreased, the sky just got more vibrant. We drove up the small hill towards the Haleakala summit plateau. There were no banisters here, allowing me to look straight off the peak, seeing as far as the West Maui Mountains. It was like flying.
It all happened so quickly, like watching a time-lapse video. The colors faded into greens and blues, and colours I never imagined existed. Then everything melted into a creamy pitch black. It was truly breathtaking.
We took refuge inside an observation building where we waited for it to become dark enough to view the constellations. This felt like forever, staring into the skies ink-coloured eyes. We made friends with another family waiting out of the cold, making casual conversation.
Then a streak in the sky! A shooting star; the first I had ever seen. It looked as if someone had just torn the sky in half. As we moved outside to see the tail of the rocket star the other stars slowly became visible one by one.
It was as if a designer was deciding where to put sequins on a coal-black dress, carefully plotting out where each one would look best. Never in my life would I have imagined that I would be 10,023 feet above sea level watching stars slowly set a scene, but in that moment I knew this is where I wanted to be.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Above the Clouds”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog aand check again here frequently.
I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
Do you offer guest writers to write content
for yourself? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write concerning
here. Again, awesome site!
Essential bags: Remember to bring commonly used medicines, prescription medicines, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, wound closures, etc.
Thanks for sharing
Very nice article. I certainly love this site.
Contine the good work!
Wow, Fran Falkin’s pet travel tips are a lifesaver! ? Planning our pet-friendly vacation has been a breeze thanks to these insightful tips. We followed tip #2, and now our fur baby practically loves their carrier, making our journey stress-free. Plus, we found a cozy hotel that welcomes our pet, so they’re enjoying the adventure just as much as we are. Thanks, Fran, for turning our pet travel worries into tail-wagging excitement!
Hey There. I found your weblog using msn. That
is a really smartly written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of
your useful info. Thank you for the post. I will certainly
comeback.
i wish i was chinese
I am genuinely pleased to read this weblog posts which includes plenty
of helpful information, thanks for providing
these kinds of statistics.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular
article! It’s the little changes that will make the biggest changes.
Thanks for sharing!
Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka with our family tours. Discover unforgettable experiences for all with Family Tours Sri Lanka. Book your adventure today with Sri Lanka Family Tours.
Great post.
Yes, recent trends suggest that Americans are regaining confidence in vacations and travel. As travel restrictions ease and vaccination rates increase, many Americans are showing a greater willingness to travel and explore destinations again. However, it’s important to stay updated on travel advisories and safety measures to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
Reading Fran Falkin’s insights took me back to my first trip with Whiskers, my feline companion. The chaos of ensuring he was comfortable amidst the hustle of the airport was a lesson in patience. Had I come across these invaluable tips earlier, our journey would’ve been as smooth as a calm sea.
Thank you! I value it!
Great information. Cheers.
Very good write-up. I certainly appreciate this website.
Continue the good work!
I read your article on the Sheep of Sun Valley and I found it very fascinating and enjoyable. You have given a detailed and colorful account of your experience at the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, which celebrates the history and culture of sheepherding in Idaho. I think your article is a great way to introduce this unique and fun event to other travelers and families who are looking for a different and memorable adventure.
This is something new I saw on the internet today I want to thank you for writing such a great and helpful blog. I really appreciate your efforts.