Life of Larisa or LOL

I can usually judge how well I liked a particular hike based on the number of photos I have in my Camera Roll on my phone afterwards---on the Crouching Lion Mini Hike, I'm surprised I didn't run out of storage space---a lot of photos were taken! Be forewarned.  It was a GOOD hike.  An hour or so drive from my house, on the other side of O'ahu, next to Kahana Bay, is a well known trail (officially closed) known as the Crouching Lion Trail.  The trail is named for the rock formation that can be seen from the road and looks (supposedly) like a lion crouching.  The mini trail is part of a bigger, longer, more dangerous, and I'm sure more stunning trail called Pu'u Manamana Ridge.  While I'm always up for an adventure these days, checking out the mini trail and bunkers at the bottom of the trail were all that were on the agenda for my most recent Thursday Trails. Before the trail even began, I was already taking snapshots like a mad woman. ...

Eight o' eight state of mind---the Hawaiian Pyramid Trail offered expansive westside views, a mini Hawaiian flag, moderate graffiti, and a hot rocky landscape up to Pu'u Heleakala, better known as the Hawaiian Pyramid. If you are looking for a hike offering you a break from the Eastside forest and city scape views---you will love this steady inclined hike located at the back of a small neighborhood in Nanakuli (meaning "look at knee", "knee inspection", or "pretend to be deaf"...wildly different interpretations!) on O'ahu's westside.  The pictures let you know that the terrain is hot and dry at this time of year (mid August).  I would love to revisit this trail again in cooler, winter months when every peak and valley is lush and green.  As it was, this trail was still enjoyable due to the immediate and consistent views of the Pacific Ocean.  Within five minutes of steady uphill rock climbing, when we turned around, we alrea...