So, here we are.  The last day in Kauai and we had to work, well ok, so maybe we spend a few hours in the morning finishing things up.  That didn't stop Amy and me from finally making it up to the North Shore of Kauai for one last hurrah!  The drive from our place in Poipu to the start of Kalalau trail was around 1.5 hours, but well worth it.  The views from the trail were spectacular and we only hiked a little over 1 mile into it!  Amy and I parked our car near Kee beach with the intent on hiking a bit of the trail, then cooling off with a little swim before having to head out.  The signs at the beach were a bit disturbing, you think maybe the state is covering their asses or something?

Yep, your screwed

The Kalalau trail is also refered to as the Na'Pali coast trail.  It runs 11 miles from Kee beach to the Kalalau Valley.  This area is not accessible to automobiles and the trail is basically the only way to get to some of these areas due to the thick jungle terrain.

 

 The start of the Kalalau Trail

More views of the Na'Pali coast after the jump!

Part two of my 'day off' spectacular, now off broadway and definitely not on ice.  Check here to catch up on part one.

After the canyon and coastal vistas, we decided to take a hike on the Awaawapuhi trail.  This trail promised a 1000 foot drop throughout the trail and promised a  2500 foot sheer cliff to view the Northwest shore of Kauai.  Let's just say the view at the end did not disappoint.

Even more after the break!

Warning! Caution! Day off! Warning! Caution!  

If you or anyone you know is afraid of heights, cliffs, rocky ledges, or beautiful vistas, then don't go any further.


Warning! Caution! Day off! Warning! Caution! 

So it is true.  We had Monday off.  No work, not boats, no REMUS in the water.  We even had our own tour guide at our disposal. Well, ok, so maybe this person isn't exactly a tour guide.  Joe is a guy I've had the pleasure to work with starting last year in an operation that took place off of Kauai in the Summer/Fall of 2009.  He was working for NUWC Newport and had heard through the grapevine that he could get a 10 month detachment to work on Kauai at PMRF.  Well, sure enough, soon after that trip Joe was on his way to Kauai.  He's gotten to know the lay of the land, and since it was Presidents day, he was happy to take Amy and I for a trip up to Waimea Canyon for some vistas and hiking.

 

More vistas and geology after the break!

More work, I guess, but the commute in is pretty gorgeous.  Here are some shots of Waimea canyon from our ride into Port Allen to catch the Maggie Joe.  Not a bad way to start the work day.  Hopefully on  Monday we will have the day off and can make a proper trip to the canyon (fingers crossed).

 

Waimea Canyon from the ride into Port Allen.

Even more far off views of Waimea Canyon

More pictures and pony tails after the jump!

So, what can I say?  Fully into the work schedule, which means that most of what I can take pictures of are from a boat.  I know, rough.  The boat we are on, by the way, is the Maggie Joe, which is in the foreground of this sunrise picture.

The second day out on the water was for scouting out locations to run our vehicle.  Let's just say, it was not a pleasant day.  12 foot swells with 3-4 foot wind blown waves on top of that.  Ugh.

 The seas were angry that day my friend....

More after the break!

First day of my Kauai 'work' trip. Such a great start to the day.  Made some coffee, watched the sun rise, and went for a run along the water.  Really, this is how work trips should start.

View from my balcony

For photos and exploits after the break...