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I went for a walk today in Kaimuki. I'm no where close to being ready to resuming my normal running routine, so for the next few days, I'm out and about exploring Honolulu via foot and TheBus. (I have a killer rental car available to me...a brand new Pontiac Grand Prix that had 5 miles on the odometer when I picked it up...but what the heck...it's more fun to explore the city this way...and I really don't want to add to the traffic on the Lunalilo or the Pali if I don't have to.)
One thing I always wanted to do was walk up Wilhelmina Rise Drive. I've driven it all the way from Waialae Ave. all the way to top many times before, but walking it..nope..I've never done that. I've always wanted to see what it was like, physically, to walk it. Being in Kaimuki today, I deceided to go for it.
I might be a runner in fairly decent shape, but, boy, that climb up the Wilhelmina Rise is very challanging. In fact, I wondered about a quarter mile going up, if I should continue to try it, with my quads still in pain. I deceided to give it a shot..it will be a long time before I'm in Kaimuki again. To continue: It's a walk one cannot make utilizing a normal walking gait; rather, the climb up is accomphished by taking half-steps at half-speed. I could feel that my heart was really working on the ascent up.
I'm glad I made the trip up though...my reward upon reaching the summit was spectacular views of Honolulu from a small park which I had completely to myself. From my vantage point in this park, I could see as far eva, as well, Eva Beach and beyond; I could see planes landing at the airport with ease; I viewed the Financial District, Ala Moana, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Black's Point, and Kahala. Magnificent and stunning views to be had up there. I thought to myself that this must be what it is like to view Hong Kong from "The Peak"...except, of course, there was no tram up to this park, but even better than the experience at Hong Kong, there are no tourists..other than me; I guess I count as a tourist now.
I sat up there gazing down upon the city below, from afar. Here was this bustling city, in full operational mode, far below me, yet I was seemingly so distant and isolated from it. I couldn't break myself to leave...it was wonderful. I was there for over an hour enjoying the view.
Of course, I did leave, and made my ascent back to Kaimuki. The descent down was no easy feat itself as well. I could feel my legs were using muscles that are used primarily going downhill, and I have to admit, they may be out of shape for going down steep descents like Wilhelmina Rise.
On the way down, a home owner on the rise exchanged pleasantries with me and gave me a bag full of oranges from a tree growing in his yard. Then about a half-block later, on the way down, another homeowner did the same, but he gave me a pomelo to take home! Man...only in Hawai'i, would something like that ever happen, yeah?
I just wanted to share this little non-earth shattering story with the ohana of the Hawaii Threads. Really, it isn't that much of a story...but it's little experiences like the one I had today, that cost me absolutely nothing, that are going to make it very difficult for me to willingly get back on that plane for New York and the East Coast.
One thing I always wanted to do was walk up Wilhelmina Rise Drive. I've driven it all the way from Waialae Ave. all the way to top many times before, but walking it..nope..I've never done that. I've always wanted to see what it was like, physically, to walk it. Being in Kaimuki today, I deceided to go for it.
I might be a runner in fairly decent shape, but, boy, that climb up the Wilhelmina Rise is very challanging. In fact, I wondered about a quarter mile going up, if I should continue to try it, with my quads still in pain. I deceided to give it a shot..it will be a long time before I'm in Kaimuki again. To continue: It's a walk one cannot make utilizing a normal walking gait; rather, the climb up is accomphished by taking half-steps at half-speed. I could feel that my heart was really working on the ascent up.
I'm glad I made the trip up though...my reward upon reaching the summit was spectacular views of Honolulu from a small park which I had completely to myself. From my vantage point in this park, I could see as far eva, as well, Eva Beach and beyond; I could see planes landing at the airport with ease; I viewed the Financial District, Ala Moana, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Black's Point, and Kahala. Magnificent and stunning views to be had up there. I thought to myself that this must be what it is like to view Hong Kong from "The Peak"...except, of course, there was no tram up to this park, but even better than the experience at Hong Kong, there are no tourists..other than me; I guess I count as a tourist now.
I sat up there gazing down upon the city below, from afar. Here was this bustling city, in full operational mode, far below me, yet I was seemingly so distant and isolated from it. I couldn't break myself to leave...it was wonderful. I was there for over an hour enjoying the view.
Of course, I did leave, and made my ascent back to Kaimuki. The descent down was no easy feat itself as well. I could feel my legs were using muscles that are used primarily going downhill, and I have to admit, they may be out of shape for going down steep descents like Wilhelmina Rise.
On the way down, a home owner on the rise exchanged pleasantries with me and gave me a bag full of oranges from a tree growing in his yard. Then about a half-block later, on the way down, another homeowner did the same, but he gave me a pomelo to take home! Man...only in Hawai'i, would something like that ever happen, yeah?
I just wanted to share this little non-earth shattering story with the ohana of the Hawaii Threads. Really, it isn't that much of a story...but it's little experiences like the one I had today, that cost me absolutely nothing, that are going to make it very difficult for me to willingly get back on that plane for New York and the East Coast.
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