Not far from the bright lights, sandy beaches, and busy streets of Waikiki lay the steep, forested slopes of the Koolau Range on the eastern side of the island of Oahu. It is a cathedral sculpted by the hands of our God. The green mountains rise quickly from the flat, densely populated lowlands. These mountains are often shrouded in clouds and remain hidden from the sunny beaches below. On my trips back home I often seek out places where the traffic of Honolulu gives way to an environment of moist, lush greenery. You are surrounded by a myriad of plants the likes of which you've never seen before if you're from the mainland. Huge ferns the size of large bushes and trees that reach high into skies form a dense layer of magnificent beauty. The sheer vertical cliffs and deep fluted valleys offer a dramatic, otherworldly landscape.
The cliffs offer intense hiking experiences and breathtaking views of windward Oahu. The Koolaus are nature's masterpieces on the island. I kept thinking about that as I did my pullups at the Y today.
The legs that achieved today's step count are the same legs that I hope will allow me to climb the Koolaus again in August.
The pali is never out of sight when you are in Kailua. I snapped this picture on my visit there 3 years ago.
