The year I was turning 50 years old I decided I would celebrate my ½ century by doing something really awesome. About 15 years earlier I had seen a Travel Channel program on the island of Maui, and was very intrigued by cyclists going to the top of Mt. Haleakala, a dormant volcano, before sunrise and bicycling down the 35 miles or so to the base after the sun came up. I decided right then that someday I was going to do it.
So when my 50th birthday was approaching, I decided there was no better time. I loved cycling, loved traveling, and just thought it would be a great way to celebrate being alive.
Atop Mt. Haleakala in Maui
What an incredible experience, standing atop the volcano amidst the clouds in the shivering cold, waiting to see the sun peek above the edges. When that moment came, it was nothing short of spiritual. Of course no picture can do it justice, but it was an indescribable experience.
When the sun rose fully, we got on our bikes and rode the 35 miles down, stopping for breakfast at a little roadside restaurant and shedding layers of clothing as we descended into the warmth below.
I also zip-lined while on Haleakala…imagine soaring over gulches and through the trees along the slopes of one of the world’s largest volcanoes. I’m terrified of heights and can’t climb above the 4th rung of a ladder, but the exhilaration of speeding 50 miles an hour hundreds of feet above the forest floor overcame any fear. At least I didn’t wet my pants. I don’t think.
I can’t imagine what I’ll do to celebrate 60 that can surpass it. I do have awhile to think on it.
