It seems like I've either been on the road or involved in something as all consuming as moving since February. Time has just whirled by and our weeklong getaway to Hawaii's Garden Isle seems like far more than seven months ago. Despite the time and the rather soggy weather we encountered, Kauai unexpectedly became one of those special places to me. The north shore town of Hanalei Bay ranks up there with Encinitas, California and Kaiteriteri, New Zealand as one of those places I've visited and immediately felt right at home.
Read MoreAside from the epic Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand, the Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail ranks as one of my favorite hikes to have completed in less than perfect weather. While sunny days are always lovely, there's just something special about walking the coastline on a windy and rainy day. The Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail runs four miles one way (eight miles round trip) along varying coastline past many points of historical and geological interest. You won't need any special equipment for this hike - there's nothing particularly technical and a number of options for varying the route depending on your preferences.
Read MoreIf you only had one day on Kauai's South Shore, what could you do?
As it turns out, you could to go on a scenic drive, visit three state parks, and take in an early evening swim at one of the South Shore's best beaches - all without any rushing or hurrying around.
Read MoreWe stayed in a historic cottage quite a bit off the beaten path on the South Shore of Kauai. All the way past the turn off to Waimea Canyon, in the town of Kekaha. Since we mostly spent our time eating in, we scoured the area for the best gluten free friendly grocery stores, farmers markets, and still stopped by a couple of spots recommended by so many others.
Read MoreI can't even begin to imagine how many blog posts have been written about hiking the Kalalau Trail. In fact, when I was querying the web for tips on hiking in Kauai, all links seemed to lead back to this trail. Clearly, it's considered "the" hike to take on Kauai's Garden Isle. No doubt, the hike has it's fair share of attributes; filled with beautiful views, lush plant life, and isn't too challenging at just four miles round trip.
Read MoreWhen I booked this little Princeville condo, found on AirBnb, I wasn't quite sure how well it would work out for us based on its location. About an hour after arriving and a four minute walk down a tree lined path in our backyard, we found ourselves at this view point - overlooking Anini Beach. Aside from staying directly on the coast, it doesn't get much better than this.
Read Moremore on that later For some reason, Kauai was not at all what I expected nor what I had packed for () - but I absolutely loved it. The fact we visited in the heart of one of the rainiest months of the year couldn't have bothered me in the least. Sure it changed some of our plans, but it was lovely, lush, and warm the entire time.
Read MoreIf you enjoy eating fresh and local foods, Kauai's North Shore is a dream for eating gluten free and generally allergen friendly. In Hanalei alone, we enjoyed some of the best fresh fish we've ever eaten, tried all sorts of new fruits, and were never stuck without safe eating options.
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