SOUTH POINT, HAWAII
Key West, upstaged...
Hi
ghPointing, TriPointing, and throw in "GeoXtreming." The latter for us being the acquisition of "South Point" (Ka Lae) on our Hawaii, 4-island Globus tour "free" day. While Key West is the southern-most of the 48, it's HI with it's Big Island lava-gnarly rock equator-side shore that qualifies with the southern-most point of the U.S. 50.
West of Na'alehu the 12-mile gradually deteriorating South Point Road takes you past a forlorn stand of has-been windmills. At mile 11 or so go right where the road forks more directly to the shore. Driving this southbound route to Ka Lae was even more challenging since it was also on the car rental off-limit list. Hey...if you rent a 4WD, what do you use it for? Duh.
The route became more and more a non-road, yet doable. Seaside locals fishing the surf directed
us to the obvious blinking beacon with black/white checkered square (left). This should be visible from the above fork. Hereabouts, graffiti takes the form of contrasting whit
e coral chunks on black lava (rt. - unofficial sign twixt beacon and surf). If you must, use a GPS for the lowest latitude; otherwise, tiptoe on slippery rocks as far as you dare for your conquest. Purist/techies who need the periodically visible very southern-most rock must venture even closer to the equator, 1500mi. away.
Key West, upstaged...
Hi
ghPointing, TriPointing, and throw in "GeoXtreming." The latter for us being the acquisition of "South Point" (Ka Lae) on our Hawaii, 4-island Globus tour "free" day. While Key West is the southern-most of the 48, it's HI with it's Big Island lava-gnarly rock equator-side shore that qualifies with the southern-most point of the U.S. 50.West of Na'alehu the 12-mile gradually deteriorating South Point Road takes you past a forlorn stand of has-been windmills. At mile 11 or so go right where the road forks more directly to the shore. Driving this southbound route to Ka Lae was even more challenging since it was also on the car rental off-limit list. Hey...if you rent a 4WD, what do you use it for? Duh.
The route became more and more a non-road, yet doable. Seaside locals fishing the surf directed
us to the obvious blinking beacon with black/white checkered square (left). This should be visible from the above fork. Hereabouts, graffiti takes the form of contrasting whit
e coral chunks on black lava (rt. - unofficial sign twixt beacon and surf). If you must, use a GPS for the lowest latitude; otherwise, tiptoe on slippery rocks as far as you dare for your conquest. Purist/techies who need the periodically visible very southern-most rock must venture even closer to the equator, 1500mi. away. If asked to choose from the comparatively little we covered on our HI trip, the South Point area was the most simplistic and laid-back we experienced. Don your straw hat, clogs, go a-fishin' or hike to Green Sand beach. SP just might be one of those best-kept secrets. And, of course, don't tell anyone.
Note: There are no tour buses going to SP. Also, most of the highways on the B.I. are "old-fashioned" 2-lanes so don't expect to roar around Hawaii at interstate speeds.
Note: There are no tour buses going to SP. Also, most of the highways on the B.I. are "old-fashioned" 2-lanes so don't expect to roar around Hawaii at interstate speeds.
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