Xterra/Talofofo

Our plan of beach combing at Jeffrey's Beach comes to a quick end with the torrential rainfall on Saturday. One of the biggest problems on several flood drenched beaches is the infestation of leptospirosis. We decide to keep our starting point at Xterra and then see what happens.
In attendence are Handy, Cutie, Chops, Giggles, and CC. The others, namely Clark, WW, and Peppy are involved in the Tournament of Champions.It is cool and overcast, as we duck under overgrown sword grass and dodge the thorny mamosa on the Xterra trail. We have to pick our way carefully to avoid tripping or twisting our ankles on the uneven path hidden under tall grass. At the famous and newly cleared crash-and-burn drop off, we wisely take the long way around. When the trail finally opens up, we find ourselves in the beautiful meadow-like path, and through a canopy of trees toward the farm at the end of the trail, where a turkey awaits us.
Onward to KingFisher on Talofofo Road. It's up and up and up the big hills, a real test to our cardial power. We take a short stop at the entrance of Jeffrey's Beach and decide not to venture further through the puddles.
Part way up Talofofo, we discover another trail head that leads to a stream bed, which is currently dry. We may take a hike on that trail in the future. A quick rest stop at the trail head to Old Man by the Sea, another future hike, soon finds ourselves drendged in a rain shower, except for Cutie who whips out a little umbrella, looking dry and happy. Maybe we should change Cutie's name to EverReady Bunny!
With a choice of either taking Egigi (longer hike) and visit with Babe, or continue on Talofofo, Handy makes a decisive choice of continuing on the main road.
At the top of the hill, we stop at Esco's for a group photo and for Cutie to have a cup of coffee and some snacks. On the way near the chicken farm, another discovery: Giggles points out a strange spiky fruit that none of us recognize. They look like baby durians, but the tree looks too small for a durian tree which is tall with a very straight trunk. Chops will research and report.

The hike takes roughly three hours.

P.S. Chops reports in that the fruit is called Atemoya. Read her email message and Handy's message for details.
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