{ajm}

Our morning helicopter tour was canceled so we went hiking in the rain. I think our waterfall/water park find was totally worth it! This delightful little spot is home to rope swings and a ladder to climb back up the waterfall so you can do it agian!! Completly wonderful and my only regret is not jumping. Ben kept saying, "I need a mother for our children." So I restrained myself. Barely.

We headed back to the hotel after another trip to Poipu and a delightful lunch to pack our bags and check out. I loved having citrus flavored water each time we passed through the lobby and seeing the lush, Hawaiian floral arangements, full of exotic island flora.

All great trips must come to an end, and this one did too. We had a LOVELY time and are sure to head back and explore more of the amazing Hawaiian islands. Thank you again Nonnie and Pape for hosting camp this week and for living in a city with a HUGE international airport!! :) 

We began our day touring waterfalls and the interior of Kauai. Manificent waterfalls.The first one is named Wailua Falls. 173 feet of soild drop to a breathtaking pool and stream.

This next photo series features 'Opaeka'a Falls, "these lacy 151-foot falls flow year round," according to my trusty guidebook. Directly across the road is an overlook we used for a tripod. Yes, we were there 🙂

Just down the hill from this overlook, there is a traditional Hawaiian village staged for the tourists. We wandered briefly and Ben attempted to eat a banana that the employees encouraged us to pick and eat as they were ready to eat. Note to self, even in paradise, green bananas are not ripe or ready to eat.

On to W'anini Beach for snorkling with sea turtles and more roosters crowing while patroling the beach.

This was the only snorkling we did this trip. I was thrilled to get to swim with turtles and see some other beautiful marine life, but I will confess the water was BRISK. As in to cold to be "refreshing." So after our swim, we wandered around the rest of the north side of the island. This is the Hanalei lookout:

We did a little shopping, and enjoyed ice cream while I indulged Ben with a game of mini-golf. The man is addicted.

Another wonderful day spent with my love. Thank you Ben for loving to travel!

Our first full day in Kauai we started early and headed to Wiamea Canyon. We were told repeatedly the views are AMAZING. That it's a must see. So off we went. After quite the elevation change, we were greeted with fog. Lots and LOTS of fog.

 

We waited a while, and tried a second view point and were rewarded with this spectacular sight.

Next up was seeing some of the coast on the west and south sides of the island.

This is a state park beach. There are facilites and camping areas. And LOTS of roosters. There is a salt collecting space? Place? Area? Kinda neat. It's one of just a few in HI. Yes, those are our footprints. Coming and going.

Then we headed south through the tunnel of trees.

We found monk seals and more roosters. The seals seem very sleepy. Not much movement but fun to see "in real life" not a zoo. I was shocked by the rooster population. They are EVERYWHERE. I don't get it, why don't people eat them? Hello, free food and getting rid of the noise too. I was amazed at the constant crowing and that the beaches all said "no animals allowed." And yet, there are chickens and roosters wandering all over the place. Really, how can one take that sign seriously?

 

Next up was a tour of the gardens where Jurrasic park was filmed. Lots of tropical plants and look…there we are 🙂

More beaches, these promised turtles and YEAH!! They delivered 🙂 We walked up and this turtle was obligingly sunning on the beach. In case you aren't aware, I {heart} sea turtles.

Would you believe exaustian set in shortly after this? We decided to take it easy and headed back to the hotel for some down time. Ben takes this quite seriously.

I couldn't sit still, so more camera wandering for me until dinner. A really REALLY fun first day.

 

It still seems too good to be true. Several weeks ago, we flew over a big blue ocean. on our way to Kauai. We've been married for 12 years (also hard to believe) and have discovered that we LOVE to travel. We love to travel with each other. We love to see new places and experience this amazing world God created. We try really hard to go somewhere, just us, once a year. We missed going last year, our son Mark is a completely reasonable excuse to stay home. It made this trip even more important and, well let's be honest, needed.

This first photo was taken the evening we arrived. A bit later than anticipated as the flight was delayed and airplanes substituted. I was just thrilled to be on the ground in Hawaii with Ben and no children. That's the other really important piece of this trip. No kids. My parents are SUPERHEROES and keep our children while we go. I could not possibly love them more (my parents or children!) It is one of the greatest blessings of my adult life, to have amazing parents who love to keep my children. So a HUGE, "thank you," to my parents for what we lovingly call "Camp Nonnie Pape" you guys ROCK.

This was the view from our room. All I can say is that it was breathtaking everytime I looked out the window.

Our dinner club that has met for over ten years expanded it's horizons this month. We included our daughters (gasp-it's been adults only since before there were children) and decorated Valentines cookies.  We had a great time-particularly with the girls. Between the 6 moms present, there were 12 daughters present. I'm still reeling at the fertility of this group (lots more children just boys and several girls not feeling well.)

A big shout out to Kristen for baking all the cookies and teaching us how to make icing and decorate the cookies-these are her finished products pictured. Seriously, thank you! Next year will be even more fun!!

Mallory had a great time. We stayed WAY past her bedtime as no one wanted to leave and she's already asking to do it again!  Thanks D for having us and Kristen for doing all the baking! I'll help next year-promise 🙂