Wednesday, June 23, 2010

W is for Waterfalls @ Life is Good

One of my favorite vacations was the one The Engineer and I took with Sissie and Schedule Man to Kauai, Hawaii. My sis and her hubby have vacationed on Kauai since they got married. We joined them on their annual trip in 1996. It was a trip to remember. A trip where we saw many spectacular waterfalls.

Kauai has a LOT of rain. I looked it up, over 40 inches annually is normal, and one year they got 480 inches. Thankfully, this rain does not interfere with plans at all, since we experienced it coming only in the mornings as were getting ready for the day. I could gaze out the inland window and see many waterfalls each morning, as I enjoyed the breeze from the lanai side. Did you see Jurassic Park? Parts of it were filmed in Kauai, and when we took our helicopter tour (thanks again, sis, never would have afforded it, the treat was awesome)we flew over the waterfall that is in the opening sequence. 

 The helicopter pilot even played the soundtrack song. Throughout our ten day stay, we saw many more absolutely gorgeous waterfalls. But the one I want to tell you about is on the Kalalau trail. I swam though it.


For those of you not familiar with this trail, go here. We set out in the morning, 
going through terrain such as this. 


And this.

Here's the view, looking back at our starting beach (Ke'e), after many switchbacks. We had not planned to hike the full eleven miles, but to stop for lunch at a popular resting place. 


At that stop, that switchback view was now this.


And here's our destination waterfall. Look closely, the people are very small in this shot.


After we were done eating, Schedule Man, The Engineer, and I set off. We wanted to swim through the waterfall, and climb the rocks in the cave on the other side. (Sissie is quite adventurous, as in she'll goes skydiving, but this was a bit out of her comfort zone.) I can't even begin to describe the sheer delight of that curtain of bliss falling on my head. It had been a tough climb, with lots of elevation gain, and lots of finding your own footholds in places most people wouldn't dream of walking. We were hot. As I swam through that deluge of delight, I giggled. On the other side, we sat on rocks and smiled.



Unlike the water we'd experienced at the beach, this was FRIGID. But oh so refreshing. Inside the cave we experienced an awesome stillness. Of course we could still hear the falls tumbling down, but it was almost as if we were in a bubble of our own solitude, and those falls somewhere outside. Our voices didn't seem to carry, but just reach our circle, and then stay. Secretly. Sitting there, making plans for the evening, and cataloging our bruises, scrapes, bug bites, and sunburn, we were in our own world.  And as we made our way back to the other side of the pool and joined Sissie, and other hikers, we left that world reluctantly behind.

Down was of course easier, and a good thing, too. Tired, sore, spent, and thirsty, we eagerly ran into the waves at Ke'e beach, 

conveniently right there at the trailhead. Bliss. And that wonderful accomplished feeling of physically dead tired, but mentally and spiritually, so renewed. I wish you the same experience some day.

(Images from google.  My own pictures aren't digital.  But come on over and I'll show you one of the few adventures I've managed to scrapbook.)

This is an Alphabe-Thursday post with our teacher, the fab Ms. Jenny Matlock.  Check out the other great posts featuring the letter W.

29 comments:

Brian Miller said...

would love to go...a gorgeous place. my parents went last year...yeah i am jealous. smiles.

Sarah said...

What a gorgeous place. I made this trip in the early 70s. I think it's time to return. ~ Sarah

GardenOfDaisies said...

Gorgeous waterfall!! I have been to Maui and Oahu, but not Kauai.

Brenda said...

The waterfalls are lovely. I have never been but we have some wonderful falls in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

mrs. c said...

This looks like Heaven to me! What a wonderful place to visit. This would be a great place to vacation. Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip!

Jenny said...

When I saw the word waterfall in your link I was so excited!

I am fascinated by the power and beauty of waterfalls and how well you captured it here.

This looks like such a heavenly visit. I really enjoyed all the descriptions of your trip!

Thank you for helping making Alphabe-Thursday's letter "W" such a wonderful place to be this week!

A+

Unknown said...

what a beautiful waterfall...hawaii is a gift to us all!

Christy said...

Hawaii is on my bucket list, isn't it on everyone's? How amazing to climb and then swim through a waterfall. thanks for sharing!

Short and Sweet said...

Breathtaking and thank you for allowing me into such a special world.

Cheryl D. said...

Happy W day! I love Kauai! What a beautiful island! Great use of W!

Betty said...

That does sound wonderful! I've never had a burning desire to go to Hawaii, but you sure make it sound inviting. Swimming in the waterfall would be great...if I only knew how to swim. :)

Kat said...

What a fun post. Sounds like such an adventure, and I loved your description of being behind the waterfall. Great choice for W. Kathy

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Heaven on earth, Tina!!!

Unknown said...

Wildly Wonderful! I've been to Hawaii once and would love to go again. Thanks for the travelogue! That view is stunning!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

What a gorgeous place! I would love to go there one day soon. Beautiful pictures!

purejoy said...

beautiful writing… and beautiful photos. hawaii is so on my list of places to see. mmmmmm.

H said...

I love waterfalls. What a delight to swim under one :)

My name is Riet said...

That must have been a Wonderful trip. Waterfalls are beautiful.

One Photo said...

I have been to the big island and would love to return and see more of Hawaii one day as I thought it quite stunningly beautiful and reading about your wonderful walk makes me want to go there even more. Beautifully written post.

jeff campbell said...

Wow! Such a beautiful place to visit...lucky you:-) I would imagine I would not want to go home...Peace and blessings

Unknown said...

Wow, lovely waterfalls :) . Nice W post, thanks for sharing the beautiful photos with us.

A 2 Z said...

Hi Tina,

Thanks for the visit. I've been to Hawaii but not Kauai and therefore I have never seen the falls. It looks quite spectacular. I love it when bloggers take the time to post pictures of their trips. Thanks for sharing.

Anne-Marie

Jo said...

that really does look like a whole lot of bliss. what a wonderful experience!

Unknown said...

I love it there too....It is a beautiful place...

Viki said...

That waterfall is so beautiful. Seems like a dream vacation. Lovely scenery. Great W post.

GFDINER - Kathy said...

Thanks for the great post and pictures. I love waterfalls and have been to Hawaii.

Have a great weekend

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

timeless waterfall.
lovely post!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Ah! Beautiful island waterfall! And it was such fun "hiking" with you through your photos! The waterfall was well worth the walk :o)
What wonderful memories you & your hubby have with your sister and her husband.

Blessings & Aloha!
(My hubby's immediate family are all from the Big Island of Hawaii, but he does have some relatives on Kauai.)

Mary said...

You are so adventurous~ I think I'd wait for you with your sister! Sounds like an unforgettable experience :-)