One of the most spectacular coastlines, a struggle to get there and back, too.
Our turn-around-point unless we wanted to try the 'big splash.
We spotted this mountain from nearly two miles away, it always looked just 'over the hill' (unlike the editor).
This was our second hike in the Garden Isle, perhaps one of the most beautiful spots to visit.
Unfortunately, it is only accessible by foot thus precluding many visitors a view of incredible, rugged beauty.
One can hire a boat or helicopter to gain access to a degree although we would think one only catches a glimpse
that way. At $250 a ride in a whirlybird for less than a minute in the alcove is some 'bang (whimper) for your buck'.
The poorer folks sweat much more but rise the 1,700 feet a little wealthier, we think.
We also do not want to say too much about this wonderful spot for we have known to have raised the ire of some
Capetonians in the past. We think Cape Town is a delightful looking city, surrounded by a wonderful array of
mountains, too. We'll conclude that we live in a magnificent world with some outstanding people and unfortunately,
too many 'ugly' ones.
Wall 'built' to block ocean from flooding Kauai. (For the record, unsubstantiated)
We don't know whether we didn't want to return home because of the beauty or the thought of facing
a stiff 1,700 feet on slippery slopes was too intimidating.
Deep, wide and colorful, stunning to view.
Each island of Hawaii has its own character, it seems. Kauai is beautiful, green and very wet.
Perhaps in a little less charitable frame of mind we might call this the muddy island. At time of writing,
we have undertaken three hikes, two glorious and the third just fine. However, common to all is mud, puddles
of water, slippery slopes and always steep paths. Many hiking paths are on state owned land. Unlike the Federal
Government, the states don't have nearly as much money to waste...um, that should be, spend. Therefore, the
trails are far more rugged and less well tended. In many cases, this is more desirable than the Federal system.
However, as Jenni oft states, "When they categorize a hike as difficult in this state that's exactly what they mean."
We concur.
The runaway truck—once in motion, a person has to keep running to avoid ending on the rear. This is
(you've heard it before) much steeper than it looks or as the editor might say, "I got your back".
Waterfall in the shadows, impossibly high.
The most distinguished, colored mud we've experienced (fairly hardened section fortunately).
There are many visitors in Kauai, lots of cars on the roads, sunbathers on the beaches but very few hikers
on the trails. This suits us just fine. However, we read that the island is crumbling and could disappear in a
million years. It is the oldest of all. Although this might seem like a long time, a million years or so, before
you turn around, the time would have flown by. We suggest you get here before it's too late.
By boat, helicopter or foot—the only way to visit.
She knows two tough hours on steep, slippery slopes await ahead. Her little smile is putting on 'the brave face'.
We dropped 1,500 feet with a cumulative loss and then gain of 1,700 feet over a rather difficult trail.
In some places it was impossibly steep. On the way up, it is a preference of ours, that is, steep trails, but
downhill on slippery slopes is nothing short of treacherous. After the little over 8-mile hike, we knew we'd
had a work out. We remember the period after returning to the visitors' center, sitting outside on a bench, removing
our boots, and looking at the tourists who were glancing at two muddied hikers trying to rearrange our skeletal
structures. Where's Dr. Norman when you need him?
Taking the gap to the beach.
Jenni takes a last look before turning for home.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
High, narrow and spectacular—editor puts us on a pedestal—what a vantage point.
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