So excited to be able to go back up to the North Shore again today! This is where I would live if I lived on Kauai. Not sure I can really explain why exactly; maybe it’s that the surf is right THERE, not much separation between you and it. The narrow road sometimes seems like it’s about to tumble into the sea. I like the reminder that we’re much smaller than the ocean; I like the humility.
Breakfast by Tammie!
Tammie made a huge breakfast this morning: French toast made with Boudin sourdough and lots of cinnamon, tangerines from Phil, and turkey sausage. Note the presentation a la Martha Stewart. Of course, after eating this, we were in a food coma and didn’t get out the door for another two hours. So worth it.
Very windy last night and cool. I actually had to turn off the fan and close the windows. You all know I “don’t do” hot and humid, so it’s something for me to actually be chilly here. Today was still overcast, a combination of storms and VOG (volcano smog from the Big Island). Still, it made for some great photos of the Napali Coast.
Napali Coast from Ke'e Beach
We met a friend of Tammie’s on Ke’e (Kay) Beach and watch the wild surf crash over the reefs. I could have stayed there all day. It’s mesmorizing.
Reef rocks on Ke'e
A nice surprise was coming on a roped off area with a snoozing Monk seal resting on the beach. Kauai has a very active and devoted volunteer Monk seal watch program that monitors the beaches when seals come ashore and barricades the area around the seals. I feel priveleged to have seen one: Hawaiian Monk seals are terribly endangered, with only about 25 on Kauai.
Hawaiian Monk seal
The HMS is the most endangered marine mammal located entirely within U.S. waters. Monk seals rank second overall (after the Northern Right Whale, which ranges beyond US waters). The HMS is the most endangered pinniped in US waters, and second in the world. —http://www.kauaimonkseal.com/AboutTheSeals.html
A bonus was a waterfall that we hadn’t seen before on previous trips. Gotta love it when it rains here: waterfalls literally appear overnight!
Hey Mott! When do you go to Oahu? I can’t believe your time is almost up. What a fabulous trip. I leave on Sunday for Miami. Will have my I-phone but it is hard to access the Blog via the phone. Talk to you soon!!
I leave for Oahu Sunday (Jan 31). I’m ready to go home really. It’s been a great trip, but I’ve seen what I wanted to see and done what I wanted to do and then some; it’ll be good to be home! Have fun in Miami!
Rhodio 
Hey Mott! When do you go to Oahu? I can’t believe your time is almost up. What a fabulous trip. I leave on Sunday for Miami. Will have my I-phone but it is hard to access the Blog via the phone. Talk to you soon!!
I leave for Oahu Sunday (Jan 31). I’m ready to go home really. It’s been a great trip, but I’ve seen what I wanted to see and done what I wanted to do and then some; it’ll be good to be home! Have fun in Miami!