Paradise (8&9)

(A few pics of us at the resort before we left on our adventures for the day)

This last day on Kauai we got to see some unforgettable sights.  On our drive up the coast we stopped at Lumahai (otherwise know as Luma'die') beach with some crazy surf and a pine forest lookout with a black rock shoreline that was getting pounded.  We decided to hike in our hiking sandals and socks (to avoid blisters) wince they had better grip than both of our tennis shoes.  So we looked a little wacky, but it ended up being a lifesaver because it was a very wet, slippy rock, 4 mile round-trip hike. 

This was a sad posting right before we reached Hanakapi'ai Beach.  When we actually reached the beach there were a fair number of hikers sitting around and no one going in the water.  One child and another fellow tried at different times to go toward the water and this lady would rush to them and looked like she was begging them not to go closer.  Aaron spent the night before reading about tragedy after tragedy on this beach-scary.  So we didn't touch the water.

On our way back we took pictures by 2 different dry caves which were pretty cool.  They were both surrounded by signs that warned of death by falling rocks.

And because it was our anniversary trip, I had to take a picture of the heart shaped mud puddle in the parking lot:)

We made a quick stop at the Regis resort on Hanalei Bay where the rich people and movie stars stay.

Then it was back down the coast to Kiluea Lighthouse.  Aaron had been given a picture by a friend in college of this lighthouse to paint, but he had no idea what the name was or where it was located.  Then while he was planning our trip he found it as a point of interest and recognized it immediately.  He was so excited to visit it and it was really a miracle that we did.  It's nestled on a piece of land that serves as a bird conservation area and is gated in and closes in the early afternoon.  We arrived 5 minutes before it closed and the lady at the entrance desk was not very helpful.  We were so relieved that we got our five minute tour and pictures before it closed!

And since that wasn't enough for one day, we drove around for an hour looking for Secret Beach.  The GPS was not helpful and neither were the passersby that we came across.  Eventually we found the right dead end to park at, but mistakenly hopped the barbed wire fence and trespassed all over some Hawaiian's property looking for the path down to the water.  When we realized we were definitely in the wrong place and went back to the car (luckily not slicing our legs up on the barbed wire) we turned around and saw the clearly marked pathway down to 'Secret' Beach-felt kind a dumb!  Ended up being another cool and secluded spot to watch the wild winter waves.

We got back just in time to see Opeaka Falls before sunset, which truly was only a peek from this distance away.  Being our last night, we found a cute beach house hole in the wall restaurant with outdoor dining and live local music.  

Saturday morning it was time to say goodbye and what a blessing-this was the only rainy day we experienced!  After grabbing some souvenirs at the stadium flea market, we went back to Pali lookout, but as you can see, the only thing to look at was cloud cover.  The drive on the highway was lush and green tho-we definitely miss that view.

So thankful for this incredible trip and that we've had each other for 15 years!