Waimea Canyon, NaPali Lookout, and Hiking the NaPali

We've been busy the past two days. Yesterday we drove from the northeast side of Kauai to the southern side and up the northwest side. It's a long drive up, up, up to Waimea Canyon. The view there is spectacular, as you can see.

But to me, viewing Waimea Canyon is only a prelude to the best, most spectacular sight of all: the NaPali Lookout. To get to it, after you leave the Waimea view site, you continue up, up some more and eventually come to the end of the road.

There you look down at the western edge of the NaPali. We were worried about yesterday's viewing, because clouds closed in as we were climbing the last few miles of the drive. Just as we arrived at the lookout, though, the clouds parted and we saw THIS!

We also saw a helicopter far, far below us, so that gave us some perspective as to just how deep the canyon view is.

Today we put a little icing on the cake by hiking the NaPali from Ke'e Beach. The Kalalau Trail is 11 miles long, but we hiked in only two miles because really, we're not complete idiots. I say "only," but it's a rigorous hike. You need to watch each footstep to make sure you're not stepping onto a mud-slick rock or about to tumble over the steep cliffs. The last time Ken and I had hiked this trail was about 8 years ago, and it's amazing how eight years added to your life can slow you down! We persevered, though, and made it to our destination, the first beach along the trail. Then we turned around and hiked the two miles back. We were covered in mud by the end of the hike, but we were happy to have accomplished our goal.

I suspect we'll be taking a leisurely day tomorrow.