Tuesday, May 09, 2017

Kauai Day 2 - Waimea Canyon State Park

We began our first full day on Kauai with a run along the Maha’ulepu Heritage trail. After a Precoa breakfast at the resort, Jared worked on celebration event prep and I read a book (What Alice Forgot) by the Lagoon at the resort.  I spent the morning relaxing and chatting with Paige and Mel at the lagoon.

After that, the real fun began, as we joined Jim, Mel, Don, and Karen on a drive up to the incredible, spectacular Waimea Canyon State Park. The colors were unbelievable - like the Grand Canyon speckled in greens. A site we never imagined!





The road ended at the top of Mount Wai'Ale'Ale, at over 5000 feet altitude and one of the wettest places on earth, averaging nearly 370 inches of rain per year. The ground is spongy and marshy because it is so wet. By the time we were there, clouds were rolling in, though it was not raining (yet).

At each of the pull-outs, and across most of the island, there were roosters living in the wild. We were told that, back in 1992, Hurricane Iniki released many chickens into the wild, joining the wild chickens. Adding to this is that the chickens, as with all birds, are protected, so they seemingly rule the roost (of the island!)

The roads were super windy - normally a big problem for Dani, but the open top of the Mustang solved any potential issues - and made for some spectacular vistas.
 


On the way down, we stopped at The Right Slice for some yummy pie, as recommended by Nana and Papa, and some dinner at Kalaheo Cafe; Jared had the fresh catch Ahi with forbidden rice, I had the roasted beet salad with the fresh catch Ono added.  We went back to the Hyatt for a cocktail event with the Million Dollar Producers.
 

0 comments: