A Rainy Day in Paradise...

...Is still better than a Sunny day at Home!

I think we've finally adjusted to island time, because after waking at 7:00 AM each previous day, we slept until 9:30 AM and didn't get out the door until around 11:00! Now that's what I call being on vacation!

We spent the first part of our day at a famous "pool" carved out of lava rock just down the road from our condo; it's called Queen's Bath, and it was fabulous! There was a short hike down to it, which I'm happy to report, I managed without incident, and the end result was stunning!

I loved being able to snorkel in a protected pool with no ocean waves smashing over and around me! Jordan was a little bored with it after a while because it lacked the diversity of the other spots we've been to. But, overall, it was worth the hike, and alot of fun.


After Queen's Bath, we drove to 'Anini Beach and had a picnic lunch (our lunch of choice here) and tried to avoid accidentally catching a shot of the two lovers in the water in front of us, who obviously forgot they were no longer in the privacy of their hotel room!

It started to rain right after we finished lunch, and continued pretty much off and on the rest of the day. We tried hitting up several different beaches, Hanamalu and Larsen's, but the surf was too strong at both, so we gave up and headed into tiny Kapaa for some souveneir shopping. And as a bonus, we found a tasty local bakery where I was able to satiate my sweet tooth!

As a side note, and since I do this blog as a journal for myself, poor Jordan has been suffering from horrible pain in his mouth due to some dental work he had done a little while ago, that obviously didn't "take." He was in so much pain by the end of the day, I almost insisted we go to the emergency room so he could get some pain pills. Of course, when I told him about the $150 copay he refused. I've decided to just call the dentist in the morning and have him call in a prescription over here. Poor Jordan! At least he's still a good sport!

The Monday Blues...Not!!!

Monday's in Kauai are SO much better than Monday's at home!

Today was our first full day on the North Shore of the island, and it is beautiful! So lush and green! As a side note, the tall pointy mountain peak in the background of the pictures is the famous Bali Hai! (Refer to "South Pacific" for an explanation.)

We spent the day at one of the BEST snorkeling spots on Kauai (and in my opinion, one of the BEST snorkeling spots I've EVER been to!) called Tunnels! The water was pretty shallow for a long way out, and it was filled with more varieties of fish than I have ever seen, not to mention, Sea Turtles every time we turned around!

Of course, Jordan did his daily run...during the heat of the afternoon! He's crazy! But, determined to get fit. So, I support the craziness!

On the drive back from the beach we stopped at a scenic overlook that was very pretty, of course! We've come to expect nothing less!

Sunday we checked out of our Poipu condo and headed up to our new post in Princeville. But before we left, I made sure to give Jordan his first Father's Day card, even though he protests and says he's not officially a father yet...I disagree!
On the way up to the north shore, we stopped at 'Opaeka'a Falls and the Kiluea Lighthouse.
After arriving at our condo, (which by the way, has an extra second bedroom and bathroom incase any of you want to come join us) we made our second tropical fruit smoothie (apple bananna, papaya, mango & strawberry) and headed out for Hideaways Beach.

Our guide book describes the trail down to this beach as "possibly difficult to negotiate if it's been raining." I think a more accurate description would be "a steep descent down a sheer dirt cliff. Up your life insurance if you make the trek after the rain!"
Although the trail was trecherous, and I took a small tumble, the beach was BEAUTIFUL and well worth it. Although, I don't think I'll be going back, atleast not while I'm pregnant!

After hiking back up the side of the cliff, we decided to walk down to the outrageously expensive (starting at $700/night!) St.Regis Princeville hotel and watch the sunset. What a perfect vantage point! Another great end to another great day!

Saturday at Waimea Canyon

We spent most of our Saturday at and around Waimea Canyon. Supposedly it's known as "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific", and we totally agree! It's the perfect mix of the Arizona Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. BEAUTIFUL!
We were way unprepared to take advantage of all the hiking trails that were available to us. And we were heard many times saying, "When we come back here, we'll have to bring our hiking stuff."
After enjoying the views of the Canyon, we headed back down to a cute beachside town and enjoyed some of the "Best Shave Ice" on the island! Jo Jo's Shave Ice makes a mean shave ice...and we both ordered ours one size too big, and were regretting that decision later when our stomachs were protesting!
The rest of the sunlit day was spent at Salt Pond beach enjoying the sand, sun, and beautiful water! Oh yah, this will have to count as my "26 Weeks" picture! Yay!
We watched the sunset from Shipwreck Beach in front of the beautiful Hyatt (people spend alot of money to stay in these places!) and Jordan went for his daily run on the beach!
Another perfect day!

Just another day in Paradise!

Jordan started the day with another run, this time on the Sheraton Beach...it is postcard pretty! At the far end of the beach was an endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal, just snoozing!

Next, we packed up and headed to Lydgate Beach Park. I attempted snorkeling for the first time this trip, and it was alot of fun. But I think all the extra hormones that are a benefit of pregnancy are making me paranoid! And as a result, I didn't last long with the snorkeling bit. I'll try again tomorrow.

On the way back, we stopped at Waiopouli Falls, and another gal asked me how far along I was! It kinda caught me off guard, but made me happy to know that people know I'm pregnant, and not just chubby!

After dinner at the condo, we headed back to Sheraton Beach to enjoy the sunset and an evening beach stroll. It was BEAUTIFUL! Have I mentioned that I LOVE THIS PLACE!

BabyMoon in Kauai

So, it's a little confusing to me that a "Honeymoon" comes after the wedding, but a "Babymoon" comes before the baby! Anyone else confused by this?

Regardless, it sounded like the perfect excuse for Jordan and I to take one last Hoorah before Jordan starts school and the baby comes. So...we packed our bags and headed off to Kauai, which is where we are right now! ALOHA, FROM KAUAI!!!

We flew into Kauai yesterday, and arrived at our condo in Poipu around 7:00 PM local time, which equated to 11:00 PM Utah time. We were exhausted, but thrilled to be back in Hawaii!

I woke-up this morning around 5:30 AM and could not fall back asleep. So, after making enough noise to wake Jordan, we both got on our swimsuits and headed to Poipu Beach for Jordan to do his morning run! It was BEAUTIFUL! And we decided, after he was done, that we would run back to the condo, grab our gear and spend most of the day back at Poipu beach. It was so fun, but we both were a little lax on the sunscreen and got burned our first day here...not good!

Around 2:30 we decided to head up to Hanapepe for the "Sunshine Market" (aka Farmers Market) and buy some local produce. We got lots of yummy, exotic fruit that we're excited to make into smoothies and enjoy plain. And, we had our first tast of coconut milk, straight from the coconut!

After the Sunshine Market, we walked down to the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge and enjoyed that tourist sight. Then headed back to Poipu and the Spouting Horn blowhole, another tourist sight. After a quick dip in the condo pool, we fixed our dinner and are now ready to pass out from sheer exhaustion!

I LOVE this place!

Lake Powell 2010

It's been 3 years (I think) since we've been to the LP, but we were able to make the trip down this year...and for the first time, the whole Fam-Damily was there! It was awesome!

We had so much fun...

Celebrating birthdays

Wearing matching hats

Dumping the sewage

Hiking to the top of the Hole in the Rock trail (Jordan, not me)

Visiting beautiful Cathederal in the Desert

Playing Games

Hiking to Mistake Alcove

Diving for the Frisbee

And discovering, I wasn't the only 24 week pregnant person on the boat!

We love you, Lake Powell, and hope to meet again soon!