Here's a short report on part of the trip so far. I've got that 1 GB card almost 2/3 full already. I have that 512 mb card still but at this rate I may have to get another one in Oregon or Washington.

I was successful in adding two more Lighthouses to my total so far on
this trip.

We all got to Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse on our way from Volcano, HI to
Hilo, HI. It's a fairly ugly example of a Lighthouse- but still great
to get there. It's on the easternmost tip of the island of Hawaii and
there is a facility there that tests the air quality as this si some
of the freshest air anywhere- it's hit nothing since it left the West
Coast of the US usually several weeks before.

This one can be gotten to fairly easily and with a regular car with a
bit of caution. The road is rough but very doable with a car.

I went to Kauhola Point by myself today- Esther (my wife) & Beth (our
daughter) were going on the Mauna Kea summit Tour (which they don't
advise thosw with heart problems to do ) so I decided to rent a 4
wheek drive vehicle and drive on up to the northern Coast of the
Island and visit this one.

I have to say that a 4 wheek drive vehicle is a requirement for this
one- or a one way walk of about 1.2 miles about 1/3 of the time in
the shade. The "road" is very rough with many levels within feet of
each other. Luckily it doesn't rain in this area much or it would be
even worse.

There is a gate with a private property sign but I stopped in at a
junk yard / body shop right there and asked and they said- no
Problem! Just be sure to close the gate behibd you. So I went merrily
(and bumpily) down the road. The Lighthouse is a double of Barber's
Point on Oahu and lacks a lantern room as well. It does have an
aerobeacon that was revolving while I was there. It's in a bit worse
shape than Barber's Point and could use some help.

I got some good photos of the Lighthouse (and the "road").

I can't upload them here but I will in about a week or so after we
get home from part two of our little trek- the Pacific Northwest. We
go from a tropical rain forest, dessert, etc to a Coastal Rain
forest. At least the temperature will be more to my liking- but not
Esther's.

More reports and photos to come. I did get to Diamond Head and
Barber's Point on Oahu but missed Makapu Point. We had seen all 3 on
our previous trip to Hawaii in 2003.

Dennis