On the way to Hilo

There is a cutoff on Rt 19 on the way to Hilo called the 4-mile Scenic Drive and if I have time I like to go that way and enjoy a little bit of what Hawaii used to be like.  If you've been to the Big Island and visited the Hawaiian Botanical Gardens, then you've been on this road. 

Think very tall trees of all kind -- bamboo, palms, tulip trees -- lots of plants and foliage including a variety of ginger and way down below the road is the ocean.

The road is a narrow, winding road with a couple of one-lane bridges over  waterfalls and streams and lots of cars pulled sort-of off the road to take pictures or just enjoy the scenery. It's almost always green and jungly (if that's a word)

And then the road opens up and you are back on Hwy 19 and almost in Hilo. You can also take it in the opposite direction and get a different perspective. At one end of the drive is a small restaurant selling fresh fruit smoothies, sandwiches, salads and baked goods. They grow a lot of the fruit right there and all the tables are outside on the covered lanai.  Nice if you need a break.

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