Waimea Canyon

If this:

isn't on your bucket list...

add it now!

Waimea Canyon

on the island of

Kaua'i. 

We have visited Waimea Canyon multiple times, but this was our first hike through Koke'e State Park.

Pre-hike...sun's out, we're dry!

We chose to hike Pihea trail because we wanted to get to the Alakai Swamp,

but it was simply too wet/rainy to get that far.

I heard that the Awa'awapuhi Trail is a better bet on wetter days. 

Next time!

Just over that cliff is the Na Pali Coast...

a steep drop-off was a few feet away, but the fog felt like a safe barrier...interesting how the mind works.

Mid-hike...

starting to get muddy and damp

One of my favorite sounds is the crackle of a twig to awaken the senses from a state of stillness.

Ahoy there!

Post-hike...

totally soaked and happy

Press Play...I dare you.

aloha.

You-tah

October for teachers is a gauntlet.

The reality of a month with no given break 

(other than the weekends)

is exhausting.

Kids are tired 

(and starting to get sick), and

teachers are feeling the slump of the school year 

(how do we save the world, anyway?)

Knowing this,

hubs and I decided to plan a short weekend getaway.

We joined our Chicago-based family 

for a weekend away in 

YOU-TAH!

This was our first time in the beehive state,

but most certainly not our last.

We simply had no idea of the scope of the natural beauty we'd experience...

...and the state parks we want to go back to visit.

 Kids in nature...

the joy, the simplicity.

 “A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full or wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood." - Rachel Carson 

 "Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."- Rachel Carson

Our family at Swaner Nature Preserve

Halloween!

 You-tah,

we will return

(hopefully soon!)

aloha.