We woke to more wonderful weather today. Back to Lydgate we went - we were excited to get a closer look at all of the fish. Carson tried the snorkeling, but it will take some getting used to. You really have to fight the feeling that you cannot breathe and force yourself to breathe in and out through your mouth. Still, it was a great way to spend the morning after such a busy day yesterday. The kids created another sand castle masterpiece and then taught a young boy how to knock it down.

The afternoon was spent walking through the different shops of Kapa’a. There are plenty of t-shirts and kitschy Hawaiian items. I think the kids would have purchased half of them if allowed. We did manage to take in a fabulous hula show, complete with drum music, back at our condo before heading up the street to Casa Bianca.

We had walked by the restaurant earlier in the day and were drawn back for dinner by the incredible smell. It was worth it – the pizza was absolutely fantastic. They also had live music by a very talented guitar player. We left with full bellies and happy smiles.

Waimea Canyon and JoJo's Clubhouse

It is raining here this morning, but not to worry. We are on our way to the west side of Kauai to visit Waimea Canyon. Mark Twain called it "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific." It doesn't rain much on that side of the island. I think all the clouds get held up by the mountains. One of those mountains, Mount Wai'ale'ale, is the wettest spot on earth - 432 inches per year. Whoa.

On the way to Waimea, we made a few stops. First, we stopped at the bakery in Lihue. They are reputed to have the best apple turnovers on the island, and, well, you can't just drive by that without stopping! They were good. Maybe I'm just not an apple turnover person? There was no ice cream. That might have helped.

I really did enjoy the next place we went -Glass Beach. Glass Beach is actually next to an old dump - very touristy. Actually, it was very neat. The millions of pieces of broken glass have been crushed into smaller pieces and polished by the waves, then mixed in with the sand. All the different colors of the rainbow were there if you looked closely. (We also met a new friend named Chloe. Please don't tell Lucy and Kasey.)

We spent 30 minutes or so picking up different colors to take home. I'm not really sure why, but they were so pretty that we couldn't help ourselves. It gave the kids something to do, which was great. They've been picking at each other since Sunday. Until today, I wasn't sure they were going to be returning to Dallas with us, unless it was in our luggage.

Our drive up to the top of the canyon took a long time - only 25 miles but we had to stop all the time to take it all in! You will not be able to see the the actual majesty from these pictures. It was very misty and cloudy when we got to the top. It even rained on us for a few minutes. We didn't let that stop us from taking a hike down one of the trails from the top lookout. The variety of what you see is hard to imagine. There's plenty of the famous red dirt, but also a jungle of different plants and trees. Parts of the hike were challenging with lots of rocks and steep climbs. Other parts were like being out for a stroll in the woods.

Carson was not too enamored with the hiking. Actually, she enjoyed it about as much as I enjoy mopping my floors - maybe less. I guess we need to give her more opportunities to grow into an appreciation for this, because the rest of us enjoy it so much. It was good to move - I felt like I'd been sitting for a week. Luanne has some real work to do when I get back!

We could have spent days here and not seen all there was to see. There were some who had rented cabins or tents. I think that would be fun, at least for a few days.

Keith and Kyle had the most fun driving/coasting the car back down the mountain. It's good that Budget Rental Car could not see it. Keith thinks he coasted about 12 of the 18 miles down the winding road to town. Kyle loved it. It reminds me of something my dad would have done. I can also now say that I understand why my mother didn't enjoy it quite so much.

We were all looking forward to our next activity after that hike - a trip to JoJo's Clubhouse. (sounds like a show on the Disney Channel, doesn't it?). JoJo's is the island-wide favorite spot for shave ice. I was skeptical. I've never been a fan of snowcones. Ice with syrup? As promised, however, this was different. They use a sharp blade to shave the ice very, very fine. Then, they add the flavored syrup. For an added twist, at the bottom of your cup is ice cream. Yep, you know how I feel about ice cream. It wasn't a combo I would have expected - shaved ice and vanilla ice cream - but it works! Carson liked this part of the day much better. It's killing me that I didn't take any pictures of this part of our day. Don't worry, I'll get one next time (because there will be next time.)

Lydgate Park

Today was an incredible day. It helped that we all got a decent night sleep, despite our rooster friends. The kids are actually sleeping on the sleeper sofa. Yippee!

We started out at Lydgate park this morning, which was a wonderful surprise. The playground was enormous and shady. The kids really enjoyed the chance to run around, while Keith and I enjoyed watching the birds (including the roosters). There was a beautiful bird that we finally identified as a red-crested cardinal. I'm not usually a bird person, but this one was so pretty.

Best of all, Lydgate has a boulder-enclosed pond that allows sea water and fish in but allows for nice, calm, clear water. I had heard that you could feed the fish, but this was beyond anything I had imagined. I began walking along the rocks off to the side and saw some very small fish. Interesting, but not so impressive. As I moved toward the center, they got bigger. I pulled out my baggie of bread crumbs and soon was surrounded by fish, some were blue with yellow near the fins and as big as a loaf of bread. There were silver ones half the size and palm-sized yellow and blue ones. My favorite was the needlefish. I'm sure my pictures won't do this experience justice. You'll have to come visit and see for yourselves.

After we ran out of bread, we sat on the beach and enjoyed the view - well-slathered in sunscreen this time - while the kids built the first of many sandcastles.

We ate lunch back at the condo and then headed out to the weekly farmer's market where a banner event occurred. My dear husband, who will not eat anything containing even a pinch of coconut, joined us in drinking from an ice-cold coconut. I have a picture to prove it!

We finished off our fabulous day by enjoying some hula dancers at a local shopping area. Three of the girls were Carson's age, which made it even more fun to watch. At the end of the performance, they sold leis to help support their "hula education."

Warning: Kyle will be returning with a drum that he used his saved allowances to purchase. Along with the Hula-girl set that Carson has purchased, we have some great evening entertainment in our future!

Tomorrow: Waimea Canyon and shave ice!

Lihue, Po'ipu, and Costco

Hitting the beach was not an option for us today given the overcooked state of our bodies. We drove south to explore the island. First stop, Borders bookstore in Lihue (li-hoo-ee). Really. Because I can walk through a bookstore anytime.

The picture on the left is from Spouting Horn Beach Park. It is in the town of Po'ipu, which I have no idea how to pronounce. When the waves crash into the lava here, the water is forced up into the blowhole. It was very fun to watch, and the surrounding scenery was equally beautiful.

From Spouting Horn, we drove on into Po'ipu. This part of the island is covered with swanky resorts and golf courses. We found a shopping area and enjoyed exploring the shops before lunch. We bought the kids some really cool shirts. They appear black and white until you expose them to sunlight. Sunlight makes the colors fill in. Very cool. I think they should offer paint that can do this. Can you imagine a neighborhood of homes that use that paint? Or, if you could use in on your car!?! Or, maybe the sun has addled my brain.

While in the shopping area, we also treated ourselves to some amazing gelato. I've never been to Italy and tasted the real thing, but this stuff was fantastic. I had belgian chocolate, which meant I got 2 of my favorite things - chocolate and ice cream (close enough, anyway). Keith had the POG, which is a combo of guava and passion fruit, I think. Also very yummy. We may have to go back here before we leave.

Last stop before our island home, Costco. You can't get away from it, even on Kauai. We stocked up on more groceries. I'm glad we went, even if we were tired.

Roosters? Really?

Yes, amazingly, the island of Kauai is covered with them - roosters and the accompanying chickens and baby chicks. They beg for stray french fries; they scurry through the parking lots; they crow all the time. These roosters need remedial training. For them, crowing is an around-the-clock activity, meaning sunrise is not required. Not too helpful in the middle of the night when you're trying to sleep. The kids slept better, at least. Their bed isn't on the side of the condo that the roosters favor.



We spent this morning at the beach, and Keith and I have the sunburns to prove it. We didn't make it past day 2 without a set of deep-fried feet for Keith and an overcooked back for me. After a childhood full of sunburns, you'd think I would learn to reapply! The waves were rougher here. Both Keith and Kyle got drilled on their boogie boards a few times. I think we'll stick to calmer waters, though it was fun to watch the surfers.




In the afternoon, we drove up to the north shore, stopping at what is supposed to be the best burger place on the island, Duane's Ono-Char. It was good and came complete with the required roosters and friends. We were nice enough to share some fries and hamburger bun while we sucked down the recommended marionberry shake. Never even knew there was such a thing as a "marionberry" - I'm told it's basically a blackberry, which is so much easier but doesn't sound as exotic.

Kauai is almost round with a highway that encircles all but the northwest part of the island, the Na Pali coast. In the middle of the island are incredible mountains, valleys, and the Waimea canyon. We drove as far north as the road would allow, stopping at the Kilauea lighthouse. You could take enough pictures here to publish your own guide. Near the lighthouse you can take advantage of provided binoculars to get a close up look of the bird sanctuary on Moku'ae'ae Island, directly off the north shore.

We finished the day with a game of wiffle ball. Carson played in her pajamas. That's my girl! You can do that on vacation.

Sunday in Kapa'a

Did you know that when it is 8 am in Dallas, it is 3 a.m. in Kauai? I do. We all do. There's not much to do at 3 a.m. except lie in bed and hope for sleep to return. It didn't - for any of us. That's OK. Not sleeping in Hawaii is still better than not sleeping in Dallas.

We arrived last night at 7:50 pm local time. To our bodies, it was almost 1 a.m. Kyle slept on the plane. In fact, he slept so well that we had to wake him - the rat. After an hour plus in line for our rental car, we finally made our way to Pono Kai and climbed into bed. And, well, you already know how that turned out.

When it was finally late enough, the kids took a dip in the pool before we headed to the dreaded grocery store. It is painful to walk out with 5 bags at a price of around $40 a pop. Had to be done. Finally, with the work done, we hit the beach - the beach right outside our door. It is beautiful. The keikis (children) got their first taste of boogie boarding. Loved it.

We were exhausted and hoping to sleep better. First, take a peak at the sunset off our Lanai (sounds so much nicer than "patio", doesn't it?).