Beach Bummin'

perfect mountain apples that were, of course, waaay out of reach





yellow and white ginger blossoms were abundant and sooo fragrant in the warm humidity
the hike smelled lovely

faith's finds

we decided midday to go on a hike.  we got sprinkled by a few showers on our way to the swimming hole, but it was so hot, they were a welcome treat.  we spotted so many yummy looking mountain apples teasing us from way up in the treetops.  upon arriving at the river, we started a fire to help repel those voracious 'skeeters lurking about.  we went swimming, had a picnic, explored.  we gathered a few ripe guava to eat, along with ONE ripe mountain apple within reach.  we also found some waiawi. i came across some awapuhi that brought to mind stories my grandma told me about her childhood growing up in honokane 'iki, a little valley on the north shore of the big island.  she said that she and her brothers, cousins, and/or friends would be hiking up along the river to the waterfall to swim and they would always try to smack one another on the head with awapuhi.  awapuhi is shampoo ginger and there is a slimy substance that comes out of it.  my grandma told me they would get irritated because everytime they got smacked on the head with one, they'd have to hop back into the water to rinse it out. 
i was very curious and have always wanted to try it, so today i bopped malik and faith on the head with some.  they laughed and then dunked their heads underwater to rinse it out.  we had a grand old time!  on our way out of the valley, we got drenched by a HUGE downpour.  it seemed to be invigorating because every single one of us hiked outta there soaking wet with big smiles on our faces.