MAY 31ST, DAY 3 IN KAUAI

By about this day of the trip, we realized that we were doing all of the cooking and eating in our condo, so we would gather every morning and all work together for a tasty breakfast. (Believe me, when the cleaning crew came after we left, they would wonder if anyone was even staying and sleeping in Brady, Laurel, Johnny, and Brittney's condo---it was still sparkling clean---ours on the other hand had seen 16 people in it, day in and day out to eat, visit, and play.) Some mornings we would walk and that was usually when we got the EARLY misty rain. We had such wonderful weather the entire week we were there.

We took a day to drive, hike, and explore some of the sites and scenery of the island. Opaekaa Falls and Wailua Falls were about a about a half hour from where we stayed. They were both beautiful.

We all took turns posing on the bridge in front of Opaekaa falls in the distance behind us.

This is on the other side of the bridge at the Wailua River Valley

We then drove to Wailua Falls and the road is so narrow that two cars can barely pass each other driving. When you get to the top of the road, it is a dead end with too many cars parked in a small area. Most of the kids decided to hike down to the falls. When they returned they said it was a hard hike on a steep and slippery trail, but they were glad they had gone because they could get close to the falls and it was beautiful.

Wailua Falls

We were glad that Emily left Creed with Grandpa while she hiked

The two "boys"

Grandma enjoyed watching people while the others hiked

Paisley waited with a smile

Johnny and Britt were definitely up close and personal with the waterfall

Sisters, sisters

Emily and Colton at the pool that begins the waterfall

A very steep climb

Greg and Emily are thinking, "We could enjoy a second honeymoon in Kauai."

After the hike in hot and humid weather, everyone was ready for something cool to drink. John had read in the Fodor's book that there was a great shaved ice place called Hawaiian Blizzard in the town of Kapaa. It is run by a great guy from his truck outside of a grocery store. We each ordered a shaved ice and after one taste......WE WERE ADDICTED! Best shaved ice ever. We ended up buying a shaved ice each and every time we passed through Kapaa. This man was even nice enough to take everything out of his truck when the group got there just as he was closing to make their shaved ice.

Waiting is worth it

The owner and operator

So many flavors---so many delicious tastes

We drove to a beach we had passed to check out the water for the next day. Johnny and Brady were determined to rent surf boards and try to surf. This beach was used by the locals because it had huge waves.

Colton and Cannon had done the Haka warrior dance for their school talent show.

They showed us how they had done their dance while we checked out the beach. We all loved it.

Maori's always stick their tongues out when doing the Haka.

On our way back to Princeville we stopped at the Kilauea Lighthouse. This lighthouse was built in 1913. It sits high on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. The sight is beautiful and postcard perfect.

Kilauea Lighthouse

We decided to eat dinner in Hanalei since we drove there to rent our beach chairs, boogie boards, and surf boards for the next day. There was Mexican, Chinese, a deli, pizza, and a burger place called Bubba's to give everyone food choices. We all separated and bought our food and met back in the green open space to sit at picnic tables and eat. Another happy day!