Hey, Don't Take a Picture

Seriously, don't take a picture of me taking a picture, of Katherine taking a picture, of the picture on the post card, of what we are looking at. That would be just silly.

I ate 'em

One of the best things about the zip lining, is the beef eating. You see, the zip line place is home of North Shore Kauai beef. On the way back from zip lining I asked the instructor, where could I go to eat the wonderful looking grass fed cows that were everywhere. And she informed me, the Chevron. I, honestly, asked three times before I believed her. Fortunately, the local Chevron / grill / butcher was in the parking lot of a mall. So I had a not so delightful burger (locally grown, not so delightful burger!), and Kat went shopping. Sometimes happenstance and coincidence work out in our favor.
jon

The Roots

After a long road, with some delightful single lane bridges, we ended up at the end of the north side. And it was a beach and forest. And, the beginning of the Napali Coast. We didn't hike very far, and we were greeted with one of my favorite scenes.

We also totally managed to lose each other after a bathroom break. It was a little embarrassing.

jon

And, Where Were We Again?

Going paramilitary?




Nope, ziplinning! It was freaking awesome. Just unbelievably fun. Try it, NOW!




With no fear, wet weather, and helmets to protect to us. We were stoked, it and it did not disappoint. Just a rip and a ride.

Turn down the volume, and prepare to be nausious,



Untitled from Jon Bailey on Vimeo.


I'm not sure it gets the full excitement of the moment. But, it certainly demonstrates my inability to go straight.



A little wet, a little tired, but still could tolerate me! What a great day.



Boo, leaving is lame.

jon

Rooster-Roo

Oh, all the things rooster can do, all the places roosters can go. Don't you wish you were with the roosters?




Rooster, on the path.



Rooster at the beach.


Rooster getting ready to call home.

jon

Hiker

A feature of the island is the urban wild zoology. The first example is the chickens, the second is the cats. Everywhere you go, there seem to be cats about. In this case, we watched this guy hop up on the table, walk around in a circle, and set his butt down at the rate of an arthritic geriatric. After a while, we finally asked a guide if that is some one's cat, or just a stray. His response, "oh, that's Hiker"




"And, Hiker loves non-dairy creamer".

Seconds later he walks towards the coffee set out for everyone, and a transformation began. Soon, he was no longer a tired old cat, but a youthfull kitty. Meowing joyfully in anticipation of the treat which was soon to come. As you watched Hiker enjoy his non-dairy creamer, you knew he was a sweet little kitten after all.
jon

Puka Dog, Poi'Pu

By the suggestion of my physical therapist, we decided to stop at Puka Dog's. It was pretty much as advertised, and more. The chutney / sauces they douse the hot dogs in is to die for. But, the real innovation is how the hot dog is "bunned". They have heated spikes which they jam the bun on, thus putting a hole in, and toasting, the bun at the same time. A style of dog I had not yet experienced. I should totally rip them off. Otherwise, the name always makes me laugh, as I have a frat brother nicknamed Puka, and he is one hilarious guy.





Additionally, we began the "Jon eating things" series. I mean, why just take pictures of the food when you can take pictures of yourself eating the food. DELICIOUS! 
jon

Layers

I like the layered feel. Plus, corn. Everyone likes corn. Especially in sugar form.
jon

All The Glamour

Of course, first things first. Glamor shots of Katherine. Check her out!



It was the perfect shirt and necklace combonation for the occasion. A set we just happened to buy moments ago in Hanepepe.



The surf was a little rough for us to swim. That in addition to it being a no-rescue beach, and in addition to it being known for deadly undertow. Yeah, guess no swimming in the ocean for us.




Finally, who you've all been waiting for. Blast, I totally lost that hat.
jon

Payoff

That's right, a literal rainbow at the end. Check that out! This image has become indelible in my mind. Not just because it is my screen saver at work, but the whole deal. What a fantastic spot.

jon

p.s. turn down the volume,



Untitled from Jon Bailey on Vimeo.

Signs, the good kind.

Fortunately, for my own fortitude, there were signs that the trip may be worth it after all. Now, in this situation one may be susceptible to taking anything as a sign. As we all know, when you get in deep sometimes you just have to keep digging down before you are smart enough to come crawling out.
jon

Behind Us

As we carried on, fears grew to an extreme level. Concerns were voiced, repeated, and emphasized as we carried on. With each passing moment Katherine's arms became more fatigued from the rutted path. I knew how far it was, but not how far we were. The tension was only made more palpable as we saw long lost parts of cars sadly rusting away after being rattled off their one time host. The frequent passages of other tourists ripping down the road with all abandon while the road became ever narrower was not anyone's favorite. All the while I was being reminded that only half of our traveling crew thought this was at all a good idea. Yet, through near tears, we continued to prevail and forward on.
jon

Wide Eyed For the Wide Skys

On the Southern side of the island, the skies were big and bold. A landscape that reach about as far as you could see. Yet scarred by canyons you can't believe were formed in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. And here we were, defeated. Our planned sailing trip was canceled. We had spent the entire day wasting time so we could stay close to the port city. Well, perhaps wasted is too strong of a word. But, when you are on an island like Kauai, it is hard not to think of time as opportunity, and not going for broke every day as a missed moment. So, without a plan or real idea of what to do, we drove. And, we drove. I decided that we would drive to the end of the road. After all, you could, it wasn't that big of an island. Katherine reluctantly agreed, and we were off.
jon

To Long; Didn't Read

As luck would have it, Katherine did not read the sign. At the end of the paved road, there was still road. Dirt road, moderately poorly maintained dirt road. Had Kat known the either the length or disrepair of the road in conjunction with the sign, it would have been a guaranteed "no". Fortunately, ignorance was the better part of valor that day, and we rode on.
jon

Mele Kalikimaka

I know, a little late. But, why should you miss the island greeting that was sent to you, from the land that is far away.
jon

The Ride

The Nissan Versa. It is an awful car. Rattle trap even before we got on the road. It had that top to bottom cheap feel to it. Whatever, she got us around for the week, and considering we probably weren't the only jackasses to drive the damn thing on a dirt road, it does seem to be holding up well.
jon

Up Close and Personal

Industrial decay and decline is something all Milwaukians are intimately familiar with. And to see it on Kauai is rather alarming. The end of the sugar plantations was tied to the beginning of workers rights. The great sugar barons probably didn't anticipate that fighting to become a state would be suicidal.



Decay always has its own stark beauty.
jon

And That's Just the Side of the Road

Hawaii truly has boundless beauty, and expansive sights. From blue sky, to green hills, it never ceased to amaze.
jon

Roadside Attraction

Kitsch at it's finest. The sign on the side of the road was advertising a volcano. Now, we are not morons, but we really wanted to see this volcano. And here it is in all its glory.



It took Katherine six tries to get the "hang ten" hand sign correct. It was hilarious.



The tiny garden was surprisingly pretty.



And here is where we found a great close up of a crazy plant. I still hardly believe those spots are seeds and not some fungal infection.
jon

Mele's Kusina of Hanapepe

I wonder which one is Mele? Also, what an awesome name, I should have asked how to pronounce it.



Much of the Hawaiian food can not be qualified as "healthy". Most anything cheap enough for a snack or quick bite was deep fried and delicious.



Yum.



Mele's Kusina also has this great view when you sit down.



Nah, the real view was above the table. These flowers are some of my favorites, adding a bright red to a rather subdued town.
jon

The Thing About Hanapepe

Hanapepe is not a terrible place, but again not a first choice. We decided to camp out in this former immigrant town as we waited for the cruise. It does have a cute little arts district, which did have some ridiculously expensive paintings. It also, apparently, was trying to become famous for having Niihau shells. Near every corner store had the 'certified', 'authentic', or 'genuine' Niihau shell leis. Also not cheap. Which was strange, as these were particularly tiny shells. The only thing that makes them notable is the very few native Hawaiians which are allowed to, well, squat on Niihau. From what I read, this is their only source of income.



Hanapepe also has a swinging bridge.



But, don't dawdle to long, people actually use the swinging bridge to get about.



And once again, the Aloha Theater. So scenic.
jon

Scenic Hanapepe

The vibrant art scene is immediately apparent upon entering Hanepepe. The town is also well known for being the home town of Lilo, from Disney's Lilo and Stitch. Which makes them ever-so-slightly more famous than Milwaukee, which is mostly known for Liverne and Shirly.
jon

Kauai Coffee Company; The Tour

What do you do when your $45 a person botanical garden tour is canceled? Why go to the Kauai Coffee Company of course! Especially when you cannot reschedule as you are planning on doing a sunset sail on the Na Pali coast that evening.



Now, I would not say put this experience first on the list. But, for a time killer, it is pretty effective. Also, go there before your morning coffee, as samples abound.



If you don't like the samples, feel free to pick and eat your own coffee. Kidding, of course. But, if you've ever wanted to get up close and personal with the amazing giver of life known as the coffee plant, here is your chance.



Unsurprisingly, it pretty much looks like a farm.



You can't quite get lost. And beating the retirees from the cruise ship is paramount. So, get your early bird on and go!
jon

Tidepools, Grand Hyatt; the place to eat in Kauai

Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt was very impressive. They really bring the A-Game. From a great waiter, to a kickin' menu. It was the spot.



And we were by no means emboldened to go big after getting a hotel gift certificate for a wedding gift. By, no, means, at, all.



Appetizer. Appamazing. Such finely seared tuna. Where to begin, where to end? All I can say, you saw it here first. (Unless you've been there.)




If only I could actually remember the name of what I ate. Instead I am left with this feeling, this emotion, this long lost ethereal notion of deliciousness.  Mmmm, ethereal deliciousness....

jon