Winter Trip Plan

 I considered Puerto Rico, Mexico and Hawaii for February.  Given the current political situation, it's probably best to steer clear of Latin America at the present time.  It's going to be Maui, Hawaii!  It will be my 3rd visit to this state and my 3rd different island.  Only Kauai to go after this.  

I'm off for President's Day on February 16th but probably won't leave until that day.  I want to be home for Valentine's Day and the flights are much better during the week versus Friday and Saturday.  Logistically, it will be a challenge.  I will take a connecting flight from Birmingham instead of a direct flight from Atlanta.  I can connect in either Dallas or Denver.  I'd lean towards the former because there's less risk of a snow delay.  Either way, I'll land about 4:45 local time and get settled in by sunset.  The 2nd leg will be about 8 hours flight time.  Ouch, but it's worth it.  

I don't expect to be up for doing anything that evening.  It will be an early night followed by an early rise.  Perfect setup for the Road to Hana.  I'll stop at a couple of waterfalls and see a Black Sand and Red Sand Beach.  If I get back before sunset, I'll take a dip at Baldwin Beach.  

The next 3 days will be primarily beach sampling.  Baldwin and Fleming are the 2 best spots for boogie boarding but there are several others that look beautiful as well.  There will be mountain views in the distance.  There is also the summit of a volcano, which rises to 10,000 feet elevation.

Getting back is always painful.  It's impossible to avoid a red eye and severe jet lag if you want to get back the next day.  Last time, I broke up the trip with a 24 hour stop in San Francisco.  This time, I'm stopping in Las Vegas.  I can work it out so that I get in around 7 PM.  Jet lag will be a little rough but not severe.  I'll go out for a drink and that's probably it.

  I should feel better the next day.  I won't be spending much time in Las Vegas itself.  Instead, I will be seeing Mt. Charleston and Valley of Fire.  Both are about 45 minutes from the city but in opposite directions.  Figure that's a full day.  I won't leave until the next day.  I may have a little dead time before the flight but I'm sure that I can find something to do even if it's just a walk down the strip.  Barring a delay, I should get back at a decent hour.