Waimea Wow

Waimea Canyon was a bit of an afterthought. We’d heard it can get cloudy and wanted to use the morning before the wedding to see if the fog would cooperate. The other couples we’re staying with weren’t as interested in an early morning, so Andrew and I were left by ourselves and out the door by 7:00am.

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As luck would have it, we stumble upon a chalkboard sign outside of an old warehouse en-route for coffee. Dark Roost is a small trailer humorously situated inside a oversized warehouse. We order lattes and listen to the Hawaiian roaster cooly tell us the story of how they came to be. Inspired, we buy a mug. Obviously.

The Canyon itself is very beautiful. We give each lookout the appropriate amount of oohs-and-ahhs before proceeding to the next. A Hawaiian guide shares some history. (Add facts about the wettest place on earth, Grand Canyon etc.)

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Satisfied, Andrew and I lace up our sneakers and grab our backpack of Cliff bars and water to start our canyon hike. We’d found a quick out-and-back the night before, figuring we’d have only a few hours before the wedding. The eucalyptus dense woods smell of Tiger Balm and the single-track trail reminds me of training in Vermont. Unlike our hike along the Napali Coast, the ground is dry and the elevation gain minimal. We respond energetically with a pace that feels like we’re skipping through the woods.

An hour in, the trees clear, leaving us with the most breathtaking view of Waimea. We at once want to slowly appreciate the beauty surrounding us and excitedly race to see it all, as if beauty like this can’t possibly stay.    

Together, we let the trail lead us the top of the falls marking the end of the hike before turning back to prepare for Drew & Kara’s wedding.

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Shave ice

Hee Fat General Store

We learn to appreciate the finer parts of shave ice here on Kauai.  The light and fluffy consistency that only the best shops seem to be able to achieve despite all using seemingly the same machine to make it.  Homemade syrups from organic Hawaiian ingredients.  Crowds of people outside trying to cool themselves off using these pop-shops as the best way to do it.

Wailua Shave Ice

We try shave ice from many highly reputable locations on the island: Hee Fat General Store, Wailua Shave Ice, Uncle’s, and Koloa Shave Ice.  I think my favorite is from the Wailua, while Lindsey’s is from Hee Fat.  Both are delicious and easily #1 and #2 in our minds.

Shave ice