Garrett and Nicole happened to be in Kauai a couple weeks before us and did an amazing hike along the Napali coast. Hiking is the only way to see this part of the island: this coast is so steep and rugged (and rainy) there are no roads. I knew we couldn't do a 24 mile hike with the kids, but I was looking forward to walking through the jungle, the views off the tree covered cliffs, and the endless ocean. So when the forecast the next day was "low chance of rain," we got up early, drove the 2 hours around the mountain (just to end up a few miles from where we started) to ensure I didn't miss out on this experience.
We were off to a good start. It was warm and sunny and the landscape was quite different on the south side of the island. The high iron content in the soil made for interesting red dirt against the green vegetation.
As we entered Waimea Canyon, the views were expansive and impressive.
Unfortunately, as we went up in elevation, the temperatures started dropping and the clouds started rolling in.
This is the highest point (about 5,000 ft) you can reach by car and also the "wettest spot on earth" averaging around 500 inches of rain per year! It was raining when we arrived so we ate lunch in the car and ran out as soon as the sun appeared. We were gifted with a double rainbow as the rain departed and a spectacular vista of the jagged coast diving into the blue ocean. This moment lasted but a moment and then out of literally no where, clouds rushed in and it began to rain again.
Rain clouds pushing the sunshine out.
The hike planned was down one of the many spines to the end where the mountain met the water. With the realization that the rain was never going to stop, we tried to hike anyways to salvage the day. We got about 5 minutes in slipping and sliding in the mud and freezing in the wind and rain and Aislin frustrated stopped and said: "That's it! I quit!" and turned around walking back to the car. The rest of us followed. It just wasn't going to happen. I guess that means we will just have to make a return trip to Kauai another time!
But when we got back to the bottom of the canyon, out of the clouds, the weather was warm and sunny so we stopped at Poipu beach on the south shore. There was some decent snorkeling here but the kids spent most of the afternoon building a sand fortress and soaking in the sun.
Aislin enjoyed snorkeling with Patrick.
They spent hours on this sand castle until the tide took it away.
We also had some friends show up at the next beach over.
The turtles frequently take naps on this beach.
On the way home, we drove through a tunnel of Eucalyptus trees planted by a plantation owner over 100 years ago.
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