Day 16
Up early. Jill made eggs and ham for breakfast. Last night was kind of warm - there's no AC and the breezes were minimal. Fortunately there is a ceiling fan and fans on stands so we were able to cope. And the sound of waves crashing on the rocks.Made helicopter reservations for Saturday with Jack Harter in an open, no doors chopper.
Tried the camera but it was dead. (It never did recover.)
Jill saw some large fish leaping out of the water thru binoculars - tuna feeding frenzy?Went to Costco for a replacement camera and found almost the exact model I drowned, that can use the same memory and charger, for $149. A cheap way out of my moron move. Fortunately the battery was (mostly) charged, so we were able to get thru most of the day without needing to go home and charge up. Jill got us all a hot dog and churro for a snack since we were starving.
Tried the camera but it was dead. (It never did recover.)
Jill saw some large fish leaping out of the water thru binoculars - tuna feeding frenzy?Went to Costco for a replacement camera and found almost the exact model I drowned, that can use the same memory and charger, for $149. A cheap way out of my moron move. Fortunately the battery was (mostly) charged, so we were able to get thru most of the day without needing to go home and charge up. Jill got us all a hot dog and churro for a snack since we were starving.
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Headed west to Waimea canyon, the so called Grand Canyon of the Pacific. In about a half hour we were in the town of Waimea.
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Another half hour or so of climbing to 3500 feet, and we started to see some overlooks. The canyon really did look like the Grand Canyon, but greener, and of course smaller. It was a little hazy too, so the photos won't be the best. But hey at least we have a camera!
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Stopped in the park for a light lunch and we got Kristen some stickers for her nose flute, just like the stickers on my Uke.Then we proceeded on to the last 2 overlooks on the road at Kalalau and Pu'uokla.
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When we approached Kalalau, the girls were in the lead and I gave a "thumbs up / down" across the field, inquiring whether it was worth the walk. Jill replied with the same and said it was changing. Sure enough, within about 2 minutes, we went from fully clouded to a partially-revealed view. But not just any view. Possibly the most amazing in the Pacific and certainly one of th most spectacular we've ever seen. A 6000 foot drop, thru clouds, to a deserted valley. Surrounded by jagged sawtooth peaks, and the Pacific in the distance. Amazing. Jill had tears in her eyes. It was like the hand of God revealed just for you.
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And to think we'll be helicoptering thru it in a couple of days!
Someone else noticed a couple of psycho hikers on a ridge 500 feet below, possibly about to descend. The book says the ancient nickname for this hike is the Scrotum Tightener and I can see why.
After this amazing experience we descended back to Waimea via an alternate route with amazing canyon and Pacific views... but we ran out of battery so will have to return in a few days.
We've listed everything we want to do on Kauai and a week isn't enough. This trip has gone so fast.Stopped at Jojo's (!) Shaved Ice once back down and it hit the spot. The best of the trip. Jill took the wheel for the drive home and we all had a dip in the pool. Then dinner at Keoki's again, $96 with appetizer, entrees and 5 drinks with a good tip for good service. We enjoyed the 2 musicians too.
Looks like another warm night ahead.
Day 17 >>>
Someone else noticed a couple of psycho hikers on a ridge 500 feet below, possibly about to descend. The book says the ancient nickname for this hike is the Scrotum Tightener and I can see why.
After this amazing experience we descended back to Waimea via an alternate route with amazing canyon and Pacific views... but we ran out of battery so will have to return in a few days.
We've listed everything we want to do on Kauai and a week isn't enough. This trip has gone so fast.Stopped at Jojo's (!) Shaved Ice once back down and it hit the spot. The best of the trip. Jill took the wheel for the drive home and we all had a dip in the pool. Then dinner at Keoki's again, $96 with appetizer, entrees and 5 drinks with a good tip for good service. We enjoyed the 2 musicians too.
Looks like another warm night ahead.
Day 17 >>>
