3/21/09

Tropical Topics, Big Island Edition; Episode 3

You may be surprised to learn that Hawai'i has a "scenic route". I was. Turns out the four-mile stretch off of Highway 9 north of Hilo, just past just past the 7 mile marker, is a cut above the general level of Hawaiian scenicity. It would be lovelier still to actually walk this route. Maybe someday.

Four Mile Scenic Route

Four Mile Scenic Route

The one lane-bridges and low, lava rock walls on either sides of the road and of course the lush vegetation all work to evoke a potent sense of "old Hawai'i".

Four Mile Scenic Route

Four Mile Scenic Route

Four Mile Scenic Route

We stopped at the cute little gallery. The door was open but nobody was home.

Four Mile Scenic Route

Four Mile Scenic Route

An old cemetery is next door.

Four Mile Scenic Route

Four Mile Scenic Route

Random scenes passing by, snapped from the passenger side window.

Four Mile Scenic Route

Four Mile Scenic Route

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Four Mile Scenic Route

This road, btw, leads directly to the Hawai'i Tropical Botanic Gardens--an amazing place, and we're going there next.

2 comments:

Christopher C. NC said...

The BI's wet side is different from Maui's wet side because the plants are slightly different. On the BI, the Alexander Palms make a big difference in the look.

lisa said...

I bet it can get interesting if you meet another car at the one lane bridge on such a twisty road. It did seem to me that a "scenic route" in Hawaii would be a bit redundant, but it looks almost like a secret "locals route".