For today’s installment of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, we’ll begin with Lavender.  Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm is one of my favorite places to visit on the island of Maui.  It’s crisp up there on the side of Haleakala, and the view is amazing.

Whenever I need a little dose of fall weather in a place that smells and looks a bit like heaven, I head up the winding road leading to this beautiful farm.

You can have tea, scones, cookies, and if you at least LOOK like you’re a kid, you can do the scavenger hunt around the farm.  At the end, you might be rewarded with a lavender shortbread cookie.  As a BIG kid, you have to buy yourself a box, but that’s OK because you aren’t going to be able to stop at just one anyway.

Protea

Watch for this cute little Jackson’s Chameleon when you wander the grounds.

When you finally get too cold up there in the clouds, wind your way down through Kihei, out past Wailea, and way out to the end of the road, also known as La Perouse.  On your way you will drive past the most recent lava flows on the island.  The latest research shows that this area was likely formed in the 17th century, though many reports give the year as 1790.  Either way, fairly recent in the grand scheme of things.  Don’t try to walk out on these lava fields.  You’ll only end up hurting yourself or the environment.

To venture out into the land of lava, park at the end of the road, have some sturdy (and I mean STURDY) shoes on and a whole pile of water bottles.  Take twice the water you think you’ll need.  Really.  The King’s Highway offers a mildly manicured way of traversing this part of the island.  It’s mostly flat, offers little shade, and ample opportunity for twisted ankles.  The first part meanders along the water…

…and then you get out in the blazing sun for miles of hiking right on the lava rocks.

If you make it far enough down the trail, you’ll encounter an anchialine pool.  There are not many in the world, and they are home to at least 7 very rare aquatic species. It’s a great place to “look but don’t touch” as you enjoy their odd coloring and amazing beauty when set against the backdrop of lava and ocean.

Aloha ~ Rhonda

Photographs (the super nice ones) courtesy of Photograph Bug.