Crazy mountain ridge hike

Annie and I did a very strenuous hike in Kailua/Lanikai today. I didn't bring the camera along, but these were the kind of views that you'd really have to have a camera that went 360 degrees to capture appropriately. So you'll have to just trust me on this one. We went uphill steeply for what seemed like forever. When we got to a spot that was flatter, we were at the top of a mountain and walking on a three-to-five feet wide trail at the tip top of a mountain ridge. Luckily I am not distressed by heights, because on either side of the trail, there were drops of over 1,000 feet (this is an estimate, but we were on a very tall mountain). There was a wonderful breeze at the top, which was a relief after the very hot climb up. And along the ridge, there were three different "pillboxes" that were used as lookouts during WWII. We only made it to the first one because it was hot, we were out of water, and, well, I wasn't in good enough shape to go farther! I'll definitely have to hit the climbing wall before I try that one again - and I will do it again. We could see everything on that side of the island from up there, Lanikai, various islands offshore, Naval ships doing exercises, people in boats, people golfing, big houses, little houses, just about everything. Breathtaking. Afterward we had Hawaiian shaved ice and took a swim. All-in-all a great Sunday, and I'll have to take Jeff sometime!

--jess