We were in the clouds and looking down to depths of 3,000 feet. The cool air stung our faces with gusts of wind coming up from the valleys, caverns and up and over the ridges throughout this wonderful historic site called the Waimea (pronounced why may ah) Canyon on the west side of the island of Kauai (pronounced cow ah ee).
In the late 1960's and early 1970's I would go to my Aunt Sally's home during spring and summer vacations and only once did I experience the beauty and awesome colors reflected from the sun and passing cloud formations over this wonderous array of mountainous formations. You see, she lived just a couple of streets down from Waimea Canyon Road.
The drive up through Waimea Canyon to Kokee Lodge was about 18 miles and a very treacherous and dangerous ride. With steep cliffs on each side it without a doubt a drive to not be peering over into the canyon at...until you stop at the scenic lookouts.
I had my feet plastered against the dashboard and in a wet sweat by time we got to Kokee Lodge.
A little history:
Kauai is actually the top of a volcano that rose from the ocean floor (about 5 million years ago is about the age of the lava flows) and is the oldest of the Hawaiian islands.- Kauai was still 'forming' 4 million years ago with eruptions that were pretty continuous and a portion of Kauai collapsed.
- The collapse of Kauai filled the depression with lava flows.
- Rainwater from the Mount Wai'ale'ale (why ah lee ah lee) caused erosion along the edge of the collapse.
- Over the years the exposed basalt (volcanic rock) became weathered and worn from the original color of black to this bright red.
I personally love the beautiful array of colors. In the top picture I took the shot with my Kodak V705 and sometimes this camera gives off some wonderful (if not weird looking) colors. The second picture Gary took with the Canon Powershot S2IS (older but still does a great job) and the video below I took with the FlipVideo. I left all the sound in so you could hear the gusting winds but the show is a gorgeous full view of Waimea Canyon.
Stay tuned for more stories and views from our trip to Kauai.....from the desk of "Sally" Cheeseman.
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Sally what an asume sight and the colors are fantastic. This is mother nature at her finest.
Sally, great pictures! I haven't been there for years, but used to go over every other week to drive for a kayak tour; take them from the beach at Polehale to the canyon to look down at the coast they had paddled that day. Thanks for the memories!
Absolutely beautiful ...and so wild looking!
Carole: How I wish I could have all of you in the same car...riding along and experiencing with me!
George: Sure is! I never get tired of looking at our views here :)
Hey Mike! It's been years since I've been to Kauai as well. (aunt's funeral) We did a bunch of siteseeing so I could go through my "memories" as well :)
Joan: My hair looked quite wild after the wind hit it lol!
Sally..... the wind almost sounded like small explosions when watching an army or military show or movie. But the pictures are incredible. And how did you get your name to appear? And thanks for the quick little history lesson.
Sally I love visiting the Islands with you... I totally needed a holiday today, thank you!
Sally- Beautiful....brought back my memories of standing there taking pictures not too lone ago :) I love your top photo...the colors are fantastic. I didn't know all that history of the Island....thanks.
Good morning Sally,
WoW, stunning scenery. I too would have been petrified driving up there, however the drive was clearly worth it judging from your's and Gary's beautiful photos and video.
Jo
I love visiting Waimea Canyon, every time we go to Kauai, I have to stop there. Right where your photos were taken. We tried the helicopter ride once, but my wife got air sick and didn't recover for two days. Love the video and your photos Sally, and the look of your "New" custom Blog. Very nice!! :-)
Jeff: That's what the wind sounds like way up there. Add in text with Digital Image program. And Thanks!
Hey Julianna! Thanks and glad you could come along for the ride!
Kathy: Aren't they neat? Some of the ocean pics I take with this camera come out with weird sky and ocean colors...eerie but cool.
Jo: Sure was worth it! Sweaty feet and all lol!
Brad: I saw a video on You Tube on a helicopter ride going through there. Nope..not me either. Thanks for the compliments...I'm trying with all!
Sally, last time I visited Hawaii I got to visit Oahu and Maui but Kauai is so beautiful next time back I need to see this island.
Gary: You sure do! It's the Garden Isle.
Sally, They are beautiful pictures. I can imagine how breath taking it must have been seeing it in person.Thanks for sharing.
Sally- How exciting and beautiful all at once! When I went to Kaui I only stayed at this one resort and saw all the gorgeous flowers. It was only one weekend out of the time I lived on Oahu. It is amazing how priorities change as you get older and what we appreciate.
WOW!!!
I want everyone to see this blog!
Now featured on TravelingRainers...
Thanks for stopping Inna!
Gita: Just magical and took my breath away.
I love it all Katerina!
WooHoo to Traveling Rainers!
Interesting to see how it looks there. My cousin has a son that is missing. He went hiking in April in Kauai and has not been seen sense.
Julie: I heard about that on the news.
They found some of his things by a camp site up there. They also received his laptop from a girl that said he told her he didn't need it anymore. We are hoping he chose to disappear since he had been watching a movie about a boy that walked away from his life and disappeared.
My fiance and I are getting married on Kauai in August. You've definitely given us some more wonderful things to see and places to explore. Nothing like a travel guide from a native to set you right.
That looks so incredibly beautiful! Thank you Sally!