Kauai, Hawaii—Happy New Year, all. My second day in Hawaii, on Kauai. Day One did not disappoint! Of course, the weather was beautiful. I was thinking it would be humid here, but it’s not. Tammie is off-island for a few days, so I’m wandering around just getting a feel for where things are. Getting used to the sound of the swaying palms, the birds, the chickens. Yes, the nonstop roosters crowing!

I guess there are lots of theories about how the chickens have come to be all over the island (they have no natural predators here), but no one really knows now. They’re feral and do just fine here now.

I took a drive up to the Kilauea Lighthouse yesterday, the westernmost US lighthouse. I guess as an East coaster, I still have the love of lighthouses! Turned out to be a wildlife refuge as well…and a whale-watching spot! I couldn’t believe it. They were very far out and I didn’t have binoculars, but I could see their spouts or blow and the occasional very large splash. Very exciting!

Came back to the house and napped a little (still jet lagged), then went down the to beach at the end of Tammie’s street. Scrambled up to an isolated point above the beach, met a nice gent and had a nice chat, and notice a huge whitewater splash….lo and behold! Whales! Closer than before and I’d brought the binoculars this time. Phil and I shared the binoculars for about a half hour and enjoyed the show. One whale came straight up vertically, out of the water completely; I could see its whole body. I still can’t fathom how large these magnificent beasts are; I’m just happy that I’ve even seen some. More later!