Our Kauai Adventure- Day 8

This was our last full day on the island, so we kept a running. We thought it would be cool to hike up Sleeping Giant (a nearby mountain) to watch the sunrise. Well, the sun was rising at about 6:10am, so sunrise gazing was at the condo followed by the hike.  

It was still super early and quiet when we got to the trail.

View on our way up.  Once you reach the saddle, this is where the book says to stop unless you have really good insurance.

Here is the posted sign.

"Ummm, Steven, did you see that sign?"

"Sure, are you coming," he says.  The trail was actually not too bad. Had a little ridge line walk were it would drop off on both sides, but could see that if it was wet at all, it could be pretty dangerous. Luckily for us it was cool and dry! Yay!!!

Going up and up.

View from the top of Sleeping Giant.  Think we were standing on his head.

This Palm had a super cool twist to it because it had multiple shoots trying to come out of one spot. Picture doesn't really do the coolness of it justice.

We then decided we would drive up to the north shore and work our way down checking out some of the beaches that the book said to try out.  Steven especially was super excited to snorkel again.  Seems like the beaches we went to didn't have nearly as many fish and they were either super rough or shallow.  Every day the water is different and they say it is calmer in the summer.

This picture was taken while snorkeling at 'Anini Beach.  It looked like some kind of puffer fish. As Steven followed it for a little while, he noticed that it would stop, open its mouth, let this little blue fish come is to clean out his mouth, and then the little blue fish would swim away.  It was like the ultimate dentist experience! Steven was in heaven.

Pretty coral.

We then headed down to Secret Beach. There were several surfers trying to ride the waves that were ultra close to shore. I don't know how they even had time to get up. We were planning to snorkel, but the water was way to rough. Steven took a couple of wave shots,....

and then he wanted to feel the power of the waves. He was pretty brave. Finally, one of the waves knocked him down pretty good, crashing down on the back of his head, and he decided he was good. The power of water is amazing! It can build up or break down!

We also checked out Larsens Beach and Donkey beach. Clouds were starting to roll in and the water was almost too shallow to snorkel in (of course that didn't stop us from trying anyways).

After our beach adventures, we figured we should try an easy bike ride on some awesome beach cruisers down a paved, fairly flat sidewalk. Thinking this would be a relaxing treat, we got on the bikes only to forget how to stop a back breaking bike. I almost glided right out into the street, but quickly turned the wheel to push me back into the parking lot. Whew, that was close. 

This was before my "lack of breaking abilities" experience.

Beautiful shore behind me. This trail started at the condo and ended at Donkey beach.

Steven led us on a little off roading bike adventure to Donkey beach. I don't think beach cruisers are made for off roading. We came upon this cool little waterfall and this swimming hole.

Here is donkey beach. It was definitely a secluded little cove.  As we headed back and finally made it back to the pavement, it started POURING down rain. There is never just a simple, easy adventure for us (even when we try to just chill and make it simple).

As we continued to make our way back to the bike shop, we came upon this cool little pineapple history spot. They used to dump all the excess parts of the processed pineapples right here in the ocean. Crazy!

Loved this picture of Steven with the ocean doing it's thing (being awesome) in the background.

We went a little further and found these really cool swings in the trees.

Love him!

So peaceful!

My adventure-loving husband.

His and hers.

The trip would not have been complete if we had not gotten us a little of that yummy shaved iced. At Hee Fat Marketpkace, they will actually put macadamia nut ice cream in the bottom. Can we say YUM?