This day was spent doing one of the hardest hikes we have ever done. We thought it would be cool to hike to the old plantation tunnels. These tunnels were blasted thru the mountains many years ago to help bring water to the sugarcane plantation. The first tunnel was a mile long and the second was a little shorter. Just getting to the trail should have been our first clue as to how adventurous our hike would be.
We had to cross at least three of these river crossings and countless potholes to test our bladders (and heads). Talk about holding on for the ride!
Half the time was spent looking down trying to find the trail and stay out of the mud. Steven bravely led the way and cleared most of the spider webs for me.
This picture of this beautiful tree was taken just before Steven's first slip from the trail.
I can't tell you why he had that look on his face, but it's not because he fell and yes that is his phone on the dirt. I think he ditched it on his way down. We began to wander if he was gonna actually stop falling down the mountain. So crazy and adventurous. He was such a good sport about this whole experience.
He had an awesome time blazing new trails, though not intentionally. Many parts of the trail were questionable and we found ourselves hanging onto whatever would hold our weight or sliding down the edge of the trail, hoping the plethora of ferns and rainforest foliage would stop us.
My face after his first tumble (I mean, his fast walk backward down the STEEP trail).
I fought tooth and nails not to get my hiking boots caked in mud (often this mud/water was at least a foot deep). I would do anything to avoid falling in the mud, including trying to hang onto the short bushes like Jane from Tarzan. Needless to say, I finally fell in on the way back down. Sad face!
Steven, where are you? I found myself asking this often. The brush was sooooo overgrown and the trail sometimes nearly impossible to see.
This looks like a bear cave made of ferns. We went thru several of these and you would actually have to crawl thru them. Warning! Trail was not made for tall people (hence we were perfect for the task, kind of)!
Here I come.
Yay, made it out of that one!
Only to slide down this part of the trail. Is this really a trail or an animal path?
Pretty view of the ferns.
Steven found another"bear cave".
Piece of cake! Then we came across this...
Seriously? The trail led us under this 2ft high branch. We definitely got to put our awesome acrobat skills to the test.
Really? That can't be the trail! Oh yes, indeed it was.
We were determined that no one has hiked this trail since the guide book was written.
Steven crashed and burned at least three times. Notice his leg hanging part way on the trail (in the middle of the picture).
It was really hard to get out of the soft ferns once you fell!
His gifts he collected from that fall. Poor Steven!
We made it to the tunnels. It took us 3 hours to go three miles. So crazy! The first part of the tunnel has cold, flowing clean water ranging from about a foot to 6 inches deep.
These tunnels were so dark and you had to have flashlights to go in them. All the more crazy fun!
View looking back after we started our way in.
Small waterfall viewing about 3/4ths of the way in the tunnel.
Going back in to finish hiking thru the mountain.
The second part had this cool A frame support in part of it. Reminded me of a coal mine. The last part also was like hiking thru thick, watery mud. Yuck!
Lunch with a view!
Getting ready to make our way back thru the tunnel and down to our car. We were secretly hoping for a helicopter or secret short cut back to the jeep! Wishful thinking!
Almost out!
One last river crossing. We husseled back down, making it in about 1.5 hrs. We had a dinner date that we didn't want to miss!
Oh my! I was pulling stick pieces out of my legs two days later. Ouch!
This trip to Kauai was in celebration of our 10 yr anniversary. This one night, we treated ourselves to a nice dinner. (It was sooooo nice to get that first layer of mud off!). We ate at Duke's Canoe Club. Yum! Steven finally got to try a virgin chi chi drink. My favorite (just like a piña colada)!
Oh-la-la!
Yummy desert they gave us for our anniversary. Can we say, Yummmm!
Happy 10th to us! Can't wait to see what the next 10 years hold.
This beautiful lighthouse was right near the restaurant.
We got to see some paddlers take this beautiful long boat out for a ride. Took about 10 people just to help move it (even with it being on wheels). What a great night!
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