This morning, we got up early to make the drive to Waipio Valley, on the north side of the island. We were going on a horseback tour through the valley at 9:30. Its about a 1.5 hour drive from Kona, and we didnt want to risk being late, so we left at 7am.
The plan was to stop at the Hot Malasadas Truck on the way to the valley. We arrived at the location at 8am, but the truck wasnt there yet. So, we continued on our route. About 5 minutes later, we passed it on the road! It appeared to be heading to the location for the day. We thought about doubling back, but we worried the extra drive time and waiting for them to set up would be too much. So, sadly, we skipped the donuts this time.
Our route there followed the ocean on the west side of the island. Then, when we reached the north side of the island, we sort of followed the ocean as we drove east, but we were too far inland at that point to really see it. On the drive back, wed drive through the center of the island
in a more mountainous drive. We got to see a lot of the island, and we saw everything from old lava flows to ocean, from forest to mountains. Its really beautiful.
Our destination was really the W. O. H Ranch near the Waipio Valley Lookout. We were joining the Waipio on Horseback tour. The drive down to the valley is extremely steep. There are signs posted that you need drive (4 wheel drive is not good enough). There were also signs posted that it was a 25% grade! Im glad we went with someone experienced at driving this route. Our tour group was small. It was our family of four, a French couple, and a family of three. The van was open air. As we drove down, we passed many people who were trying to make the descent on foot. Once down in the valley, the tour van forded rivers to get to the ranch at the bottom of the mountains. We saw many wild horses on the way (apparently, there are about 100 wild horses down in the valley).
We were taught how to make our horse go (give a kick), how to stop our horse (pull back on the reigns), and how to turn left and right (pull the reigns to the left or right). Mostly, our horses would follow on their own, but sometimes we had to use our limited knowledge to stop our horses from passing another, or to get them going again after they stopped for a snack.
I wish Id asked our guides how to spell the names of our horses. My horse was pronounced something like Ukoola. I was told it meant backside, because when they first got this horse, he would always turn his back side to the trainer. My horse liked to trot. I have no experience with horses, but he seemed like a really good horse. The only thing he didnt seem to like was when other horses passed him by!
Oliver was paired with one of the older, most experienced horses. He was sturdy and had long, shaggy hair. His horse was content to follow the horse in front of him. I was often behind Olivers horse, and sometimes my horse seemed to think that Olivers went
too slow. Oliver had to do very little to guide his horse. That is, until we started passing avocadoes. His horse loved avocadoes! After awhile, Oliver would need to give a kick to get his horse moving again.
Joanna was paired with a sleek little horse. He seemed young but was very reliable. He liked to snack a lot, so Joanna was often spotted with her horse at the edge of the trail or road, her horse snacking away. The guides would try to help get her horse moving again. It was really cute.
Andrew was paired with a stubborn but sweet horse. He simple didnt listen if he didnt want to. I think Andrew had fun moving his horse around. Hed stop sometimes to check on one kid, or ride ahead to check on another. By the end, he and his horse were working really well together.
We moseyed around the valley. We had some beautiful views of waterfalls. The views of the rolling, green mountains were stunning from the valley below. Many were covered by low, rolling clouds.
