When the night came on this particular day my hours had been spent being highly productive. Writing, editing, working on music, driving to new locations and enjoying new thoughts. Annika had gone to work at the Hilo fair with all the carnies as a temp position. There were quite a few hours between when the point of sunset and the end of her shift. This left me with a few options. In the heart of Hilo was a large music festival taking place that I would have really enjoyed checking out, but something inside was saying not to go. The thought of taking time to focus on someone elses music and art vs. putting more time and effort into my own work was really pounding throughout my head bone. Convincing me to put more quiet hours into the blog posts and a new song that has been in the works. So, with the permission of Annika I went back to her house and began to work both on the creative endeavors and a surprise dinner. The dinner consisted of chicken, rice, black beans, home made tortilla chips and guacamole. Around 11:44 P.M. dinner was nearly complete and the time arrived for me to pick her up from the fairgrounds. She and I drove down the empty roads when we came to the realization that the fuel tank was nearly empty. “Should I get gas now or tomorrow?”, I asked. We both agreed that the time was now. Good thing too, because this night was about to turn into a spontaneous journey through the stars. Upon returning to her place of residence the chow was devoured in enjoyment and with our conversation came the idea to take some night photographs.By the time we had finished eating and conversing it was nearly 2 A.M.
With no destination in mind, we piled into the car and hit the road. The sky was incredibly clear, not a cloud in the sky or mince of pollution and the road continued to barrel down beneath the tires. Now in my head came the idea to check out Mauna Kea, an unreal location on the Big Island of Hawaii that stands at 13,976 feet tall and has one of the most spectacular observation points in the world. Tiredness was absent from my mind, curious to see if we could make it all the way to the summit or if the pond was closed at certain hours. Pulling up to the entrance, the gates were open and we continued moving forward off the asphalt onto the winding rugged dirt road. The CR-V was keeping strong with the steep elevation changes and I was most definitely enjoying the drive upward. It’s almost as if we were taking a amusement park ride up to the stars. With one last bend in the road we pulled into the summit parking area where the immense and Star Wars science fiction looking telescopes stand. Having gone up here before during the winter time I knew that it was going to be quite cold. Since we left with no destination or idea that this would be happening tonight, Annika did not prepare very well. Luckily the CR-V is well equipped with blanket, sleeping bag and warm attire. Bundling up in long sleeves and the blanket we hopped out of the car to stare astonishingly into the nights light show. In front and behind us stood the monolithic telescopes like ancient robotic centuries, one of which was piercing the bending endless black with a laser beam that took to the skies lie a ladder through the heavens. It felt as if we could both reach out and shimmy into the depths. The luminescent moon wavered here and there as time passed sitting like a crescent grin watching our every move. The Canon 7D was setup on the tripod with rubber bands and a rock to hold the shutter down, allowing for long exposures. Another opportunity to teach Annika another photography lesson. How to use the “bulb” setting and exposure for night photography.
The camera was left outside in the creeping chill of the thin air. Taking refuge in the car we watched the moon elevate further into the sky, listened to the eerie moaning of the telescope structures rotate and adjust. The laser beam slowly scanning the dark echoes of space brought ideas of alien visitors taking me onto a galactic journey through times unknown. My hope to find someway through the fact I am still wondering what the entirety of being in Hawaii is about still lingers. The idea of staying Kona side and being deeply involved with things of my past have been put on hold or possibly won’t happen at all. All in all it seems that it is for the best. Pressed into the funnel of love and growth with God and the person that was brought into my life. We are ever changing, ever turning the fruits of our hands for a well rounded preparedness. But preparedness for what? Some say live life day by day in order to be in the moment. To let go of all control, let go of all time, let go of all your thoughts of self denial. The lost entrees to your withering journal tell the tales of who you were and yet at the same time where you are going. What if you lived second by second with the understanding that there is no time, but only scenes believed to develop your life? Much like a movie scenes often slow down or speed up, but during the movie you aren’t necessarily aware of the time, in fact often for myself time begins to slip. This is one of those moments. My mind releases the common concepts that the world has molded to deeply through our ages and I. am. simply. there. In a place where nobody else is, a scene that nobody else but the two of us will experience. Whirlwinds of star trails careen around in circles chanting melodic undertones through the silence. This is the film we are playing in, the film that God is beautifully directing. Orchestrating the audio visual mysteries that we as creatures are able to unwrap day in and day out with complete surprise if we give it over.
The exposure was captured after about thirty minutes or so bringing forth the pooling star trails as well as the orange beaming laser. After a couple shots were taken the cool blue sunlight began to erupt over the horizon. A nap was necessary to keep the aching lethargic hues from my face and character. The inside of the car slowly but surely came to be immersed in blue light and I know that it was time to get up for some photographs and video. Once again wrapped up in the blankets and sleeping bag we walked to the edge or the summit just in time to witness the sea of clouds below up begin to glow and buzz like an electric light orchestra.
By this time there were vans filled with tourists pouring out all over the place, but they were only around for a brief moment. Annika and I stood literally being warmed as the ball of flame peaked its face from below the plane of rolling fluff. It felt incredible to be so high and witness the sunrise. Having lived here before I had only watched sunsets from Mauna Kea. This was truly a blessing.
The decision was made to take some self portraits and have some fun with the guitars. It must have only been around 6:00 A.M. or so by the time we were complete with our photographic shenanigans and both somewhat dazed from the altitude mixed with lack of sleep.
The drive down was a journey as per usual. The grade of Mauna Kea is incredibly steep and gravel so the risks of sliding around or brake failure are something to be cautious of. By the time we made it to the half way point at the visitors center the CR-V brakes were giving off an intense burning smell. A lot of the way down, my main speed was around 15 MPH and pumping the brakes off and on while in low gear. Careening off the side of a foreign planet looking mountainside was the least of the wanted events for the morning. But indeed we did make it down intact. Spending about thirty minutes or so at the visitor center is often recommended to allow the vehicle to cool down as well as your body to adjust to the altitude difference. We do so and find that snacks are incredibly over priced, that one of the telescopes is named “Subaru” and the sometimes you just have to flip a coin to make the next decision. To Kona or not to Kona? That was the question. Being about half way there the idea drifted near to my eyes to go visit family and see the sandy beaches of the Western island side.
But the coin flipped to tails just about every time and headed back to Hilo. The spontaneous adventure was a great success in stepping out of comfort zones, exploring new territory and experiencing things that often go unseen.
Take a step forward in the direction you want to go.
– ArrowAhead
I enjoyed this. you are such a great writer! ~ Mom