I'll Think Of It Tomorrow

The Haʻikū Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven or Haʻikū Ladder, is a steep hiking trail on the island of Oahu.

The trail began as a wooden ladder spiked to the cliff on the south side of the Haʻikū Valley. It was installed in 1943 to enable the construction of antenna cables that would be strung from one side of the cliffs above Haʻikū Valley to the other. A building to provide a continuous communication link between Wahiawā and Haʻikū Valley Naval Radio Station was also constructed at the very peak of Puʻukeahiakahoe, elevation at about 2,800 feet (850 m). These extraordinary antennae transmitted very low frequency radio signals from a 200,000-watt Alexanderson alternator located in the center of Haʻikū valley. The signals could reach US Navy submarines as far away as Tokyo Bay even while the submarines remained underwater.

When the Naval base was decommissioned in the 1950s, the United States Coast Guard used the site for an Omega Navigation System station. In the early 1950s, the wooden stairs were replaced by sections of metal steps and ramps — by one count, 3,922 steps. The station and trail were closed to the public in 1987. Despite the closure, some hikers ignore the No Tresspassing signs and continue to climb, contributing to the local community's misgivings about reopening the structure.

In 2003, the Haiku Stairs were repaired costing the city $875,000. The trail will still remain closed and patrolled by security until access and management issues have been resolved.

Have you ever laughed so hard that you've cried? Let's take it to another level: Have you ever laughed so hard you were sobbing? That was me on one of our last days on Oahu.

Sarah and I spent the day up North Shore just taking in the sand, ocean, beach, waves ... everything. It was lovely. We walked up to get something to drink, and on the way back I had the crazy idea to use the washroom. So I, ever unsuspecting, walk up to one of the beach washrooms and, as if in slow motion, begin my way to the stalls.

Then it happened: A m*a*s*s*i*v*e explosion. I mean HUGE. In my mind (oh how you would laugh if I could draw it for you) the lady blew the door off of her stall.

I was frozen with shock; what do I do?!? Sarah is standing there, blocking the door (remember, this is all slow motion) and I am so horrified that I want to scream.

But I can't ... because that would be rude.

I know that the expression on my face must be priceless because I can see the beginning stages of Sarah starting to fall to pieces .... I can see the huge bubble of laughter starting to make it's way up to it's escape.

So I ran.

I pushed past her and fled down the stone pathway and didn't stop until I had set up camp. And then we laughed ... a lot ... oi ...

It was a good four hours later when it was starting to get late and we decided to head back. Strangely enough we still needed to use a washroom (I guess that our bodies were in shock for 4 hours ... go figure). There was no way I was going in there again, so Sarah was the brave soul and said that she would go in to investigate the damage ... and after one step into it, she ran out screaming "abort! abort! Ahhh!!"

So we got in the car and headed down the beach. We will just find another one! One that is nicer, with less people ... and we did. It was perfect. I pulled up to the parking lot, turned off the car and opened my door.

This is when I noticed the 100 year old man trying to navigate the big black blind lady over a low chain-link fence. I headed over to help them until I heard the curse words the man were flinging out ... then I decided that they were having their very own fun time together and didn't need me at all. (I ran from there too)

Then the fun part happens.
We find the perfect clean washroom, peek our heads in, call it all clear and make a mad dash to get in and get out (you really never know when/where that lady is ... it has been 4 hours ... she might make another appearance).

When we come out, we are greeted by an amazing sunset.

So, being tourists and all, I told Sarah that we really needed to get a picture of her holding the sun! Wouldn't that be fun? Here Sarah, get up right here on the wall and hold out your arms, I'm going to step back here and get my settings just right and I'll tell you where to go.

Then (da da da) from behind me I hear heavy, fast breathing ... really loud. I don't have time to turn around and/or register the sound before a man brushes past me at full speed straight to the showers (which were right in front of us).

He, very quickly, begins to tear off his clothing. Remember, I'm still standing right there .... holding the camera ... frozen. Sarah is standing at the wall, staring straight at him ....
And then he's in his man thong. (although he never took off his toque, which I thought was weird?)

I am frozen ... I have no idea what to do. I know that to laugh would be completely inappropriate, and I don't realize how long it's been before I hear Sarah grit out between her teeth "Heidi! Am I in a good position? Am I holding the sun?!?!?"Oh yeah! The sun! Me: "Ummm ...... nooooo .... I'm sorry but you're going to have to move closer!"

Sarah lets out a little squeak and slowly shuffles closer to the showers ... and the man thong.
I was barely holding it together. This was just too much in one day! So I just kept snapping pictures .... and ....

For your viewing pleasure! (I know, you love me). I had my settings all changed around to accommodate the sunset/sun holding pictures, so it came out pretty dark ... but I think it needs to stay that way ... for everyones sake.

When he finally walked away I counted to ten .... and then lost it. Absolutely lost it. I had to bend over and hug my knees because I couldn't hold myself up enough to control the shaking sobs that were taking over my body. I was laughing SO hard ... not the cute a-tear-trickled-down-my-face kind of laughing ... the tears-EVERYWHERE-you-have-to-blow-your-nose kind of laughing .... it was too much.