First real run of the trip! Not that I haven't been exercising. Lance slept in, and I ran along the canal (Uber driver suggested). Saw a nene bird (pictured). The canal is short, so I crossed to the beach side. A nice park around a military school in between. Then I ran into a hotel block and couldn't get back to the beach for a bit. Ended the run when I got back to it (3.5 miles), and decided to wade in the water. Before I got there, a lady asked me to take photos of her - it was entertaining, she was showing me what angles to take it from, vertical and horizontal, once she got on the canoe. She was changing poses and reminded me to switch to vertical, I probably took 30+ photos. After she was looking at them and exclaimed they were perfect and I made her day! Also how that time was better for pictures with the sun angle and lack of people.

Then I waded, went back to the hotel, checked in with Lance, and made a quick last minute reservation for snorkeling turtle tour! We literally ran to the pickup point. Picked up some food at the docks, and off the boat went!

Arriving at the spot, we saw a sea turtle from the boat immediately! Got in snorkeling, no turtles but tons of cool fish! I did some dives down and saw the reef too. As we were about to get out, turtle sighting! I was close, and it stayed at the surface for a bit before diving (so cool!). Back on the boat, we went into deeper waters and found a spinner dolphin pod! We followed the pod for a while as they dove and came back up to breath, were very close. Lance has photos, maybe I'll get them and post...

Post dolphins, back to shore and the hotel. We took a lazy afternoon, naps and laundry, before going to ramen. Back at the hotel for a bit, and now writing as I sit on the beach and watch the sunset.

Changed and went wandering. Checked out two gay clubs that maybe had food menus pre covid. One was decent but didn't have a dance space. Moved on and got dinner at a grilled cheese place, which was perfect. Followed that up with some gelato, and headed to bed.

Woke up on Anini Beach and it was so calm and beautiful! Except the roosters. Walked along the beach, and then sat on a log to write a bit. A family was camping right on the beach and the kids were in the water with the sun, looks like a great (& cheap!) place for a family vacation.

Made some oatmeal on the beach, and then packed up. Very chill. Lance sadly caught my cold. Stopped to drop the camping gear, and hit up the local shops for delicious smoothies and breakfast sandwiches. The drive was lovely. Returned the car, easy airport security, and off to Oahu!

Uber to the Airbnb, the driver was very helpful. Gave us the same musubi restaurant rec my brother did, and a few other suggestions. After dropping stuff we went for musubi (interesting? Good but a lot of rice), and then went to the very packed beach! Post beach we hit the shops because someone forgot to pack a swimsuit (and a hat) (it was me). I rejected many shops quickly, and we found one with lots of options where Lance started quizzing to help narrow it down. If you've shopped with me you know I can be... reticent. Lance pulled in the staff, and I went through two ehh styles before she pulled out one that worked great, both style and color. Swimsuit accomplished! Very expensive though...

Lance napped while I made plans and went to the store for laundry detergent, and then we hit Appetito Pizza for dinner.

Kalalau Trail backpacking trip. 3 days, two nights. Prepped, had breakfast in Princeville, and got to the park about 10am. Rain expected around 5pm!

Pictures only from my phone, will add more as they come from my camera and Lance's phone.

Day 1: 12 miles.

There is a campsite at mile six, which we considered stopping at. The ranger said "you're early, you should go all the way through. Less bugs and you'll be in a more beautiful place when it rains". Along the way we talked to multiple groups coming back, who said "don't go through, crawler's ledge (the exposed part) is bad with this wind". The fourth person we talked to said we'll get dust thrown at us, and it won't be fun, but totally doable. 

Beautiful trail - tons of elevation change, many different "ecotones", and so beautiful. Really, really beautiful.

We got to the halfway campsite at 1pm, and decided to carry on through. The ledges at mile 7 with the wind weren't great, but doable (as someone afraid of cliff edges, pretty scary but fine). Lance took the time to look at views from them... I just powered through. Pretty wide trail, the most exposed but not the most dangerous part of the hike. We did "hold" in some places and wait for wind gusts to die, and we got pelted with dust and were completely covered in the red dirt.

Eventually it "flattened out" into red dirt and rolling green, which was a bit slippery but fairly easy. Saw a group out in the green - met them the next day, turns out they were hunting goats! Had a few spurts of rain at this point, but nothing real.

Arrived at the campsite around 5. Kept walking through it to find the beach, when the rain came smashing in. We backtracked and hid under the roof of the clivus briefly, until a "break". Made a mad dash and found a good looking tent site among the trees, and started setting up the tent... When the rain came back in strong. Managed to get the tent up, though the floor was soaked through (as were we). Lance went and hid at the clivus again, while I went into the tent and dried off best I could. The thermalite pad kept the water from the floor at bay, so just a light sprinkling from above as the wind and rain pounded. Overall I was happy with it but hopeful the rain would die off.

Lance came back to the tent and dried off/setup, and we snacked for dinner. Rain stopped around 7:30, and we were asleep by 8!

Day 2: At Kalalau Beach

Woke up around 6 and looked at the stars. Found the beach and where most people were camped, and watched the sun rise. Hung out on the beach for a bit, and then made breakfast - pad Thai and chicken with fried rice. Then I napped most of the day in the tent... Still have that cold, sadly. Beautiful naps though! We decided to keep our tent in the grove area, a little more protected, much more private, and just as beautiful.

Lance wanted to do the End of Valley Trail, and I finally rallied in the afternoon. Hit the trail about 3pm. Trail being a strong word for what we were following... Feral pigs tear up the ground in that area, and with the storm branches and trees had fallen. Some of the trail required emulating your ten year old shorter self. It was great fun! We almost stopped early when it seemed like the trail ended, but my watch showed that it kept going and we managed to find the path. Glad we made it, because "big pool" was beautiful. Went in the water and played around on the rope swing a bit before heading back down before it got dark in the valley. Great hike.

Met Jen & Scott, who were back for the fourth time. Talked with them throughout the day. While we were eating dinner they brought popcorn over! Jen recommended the waterfall trail at mile 6 campground on the way back. They also warned us about the falling rocks by the water source, especially when goats were climbing above.

Also met the hunting crew. They had gotten dropped off at the beach via jet ski, but were hiking out because the conditions prevented a pickup. Talking with them, the feral pigs and goats are a problem because there are no predators. Occasionally there are hunts from boats to thin the population, but you can also get permits for hunting. Unlimited goats on the permit. Their group got 4, and were packing the uneaten meat out.

Day 3: Hike out, ~13 miles

Kicked off the day with some star gazing and breakfast on the beach as the sun rose. Watched the goats traipse about the cliffs, and knock a large rock down right in front of the "falling rocks" warning sign. Watch out!!

Packed up and on the trail about 9:30. A little damp still from the rain two nights before, very minimal wind. Advantage: the ledges were much easier, less scary, and we didn't end up covered in red dust. There was a part of the trail that was collapsed on the way out (not on the exposed section, but a ledge) that was more collapsed on the way back. We were able to jump it, but it was a stretch. Saw more goats and pheasants, and beautiful scenery all about. Stopped for a long lunch at the 6 mile campsite, and then did the side trek to the waterfall. Trail was easy to follow but a bit bushwhack-y. Got to the top and WOW. Beautiful, beautiful waterfall, with the coolest trees and landscape. Really neat bird was flying overhead, maybe Koa'e kea? White with a long tail. Lance went for a very, very quick swim (due to freezing cold water). I just waded a bit. We had the place to ourselves. Note: should have brought lunch up there! Had to leave fairly quick so we could finish the rest of the trail.

Last few hours of hiking were sweaty, beautiful, and more people as we got to the end. Still wet from the storm two days past, since a lot of the trail doesn't get much direct light. A really beautiful rock wall with moss and vines in that section. So much elevation! Took a couple breaks, and finished up the trail around 5:00. Good to get the backpacks off!

Drove out - very scenic drive, and stopped for food en route. Headed to Anini Beach Public Campground, our much cheaper accomodations for the night. The showers were beach outdoor faucets, but felt good anyway. Campsite was a nice grassy lawn, and the stars and moon were beautiful.

Hike Summary:

Really beautiful scenery throughout the hike. Stunning views. Nice that day one the weather prevented helicopter and boat tours from being out, so it really felt like just us. The beach itself apparently is often bigger, but there was just a bit of sand exposed and certainly could not sleep on it with the tides and surf we had. Beauty in all directions when you are at the beach. Trail is hard, and has lots of ledges. With the wind, it also was impacted by downed plants and eroded sections that required ducking under, climbing over, and jumping. The side hikes are phenomenal, and require even more navigating of in the way objects. Very like local bushwhacking, except there is a trail - kind of.

Travel day! Also have a head cold fun day... Booo. While waiting to leave the Airbnb, a little chicken came to visit. Then we went to LAX, had very easy security lines, and eventually boarded the plane to Hawaii!

First sights of Hawaii from the plane. Got a sad rental car (Dodge Challenger, terrible visibility and big). Stopped for groceries and picked up the rented camping gear (https://www.pitchatentkauai.com - so far easy pickup, gear looks solid, prices were good. Will review post camping!).

Lance kept saying how good it smelled - I told him to think it instead, my nose was stuffed up and a bit envious.

Airbnb there was no key in the lockbox, so we parked and went for dinner at the food court nearby. There was some music, and it was lovely. Checked out all the constellations, Lance knows a decent number and supplemented with an app. Great stars here. On return got into the Airbnb, which looks great! Sadly only one night here, and on to the Kalalau trail for a two night backpack tomorrow!

Lei-Out! Beach ultimate tournament with my brother's college alumni team. We went 2-4, and had a great time. Played a "buddy" point for the first time, and it was a blast. My body is exhausted, and a bit congested - hoping that will go away with rest. The 4:30am rooster wakeup call did not help (and the rooster kept going all morning...). Heading to Hawaii tomorrow.

Also celebrated the brothers 31st birthday!

Another day, another hike. Elfin Forest was beautiful, and the botanical path was great fun. Deuce said he was primed after yesterday. Drove on to Huntington Beach for Lei-Out tournament.

Lance flew in, my partner in crime for the next two months! A quick outline of the "plans": San Diego/Lei-Out. Hawaii, one week. New Zealand, 3-4 weeks. Australia, 3-4 weeks. Japan, 1 week. Return home, pickup Champ. Herding and van prep through mid/late April. Road trip two months. Summer TBD.

3am, dog is rooting around outside the window. I assumed the dogs were let out to go pee - but reality, it was a coyote! Should have turned my headlamp on, would have been cool.

Today Deuce, Durin and I went on a hike. January in San Diego means it rained last night, so it was muddy. We made it all 9 miles and hit the peak of Bernardo Mountain, and despite some close calls I stayed upright. Deuce thinks 4 miles would have been fine, but Durin says we should have gone 20. On return, I caught up on my sleep with two hour nap, and then we played the afternoon away. A successful relaxing day, possibly my first since quitting!

Packed up everything, fixed a mouse hole, and headed out! First stop San Diego, staying with my brother, sister-in-law, and their cute pups.  A bit tired, but spent the afternoon at REI and Walmart rounding out my pack. Then hit La Jolla beach and saw all the cool birds (and sea lions and seals). Brown pelicans and Brandt's cormorant pictured here.

Hello! After many asks if I will be blogging my travels, here we are. Day -1. Tomorrow I fly to San Diego. As of 4:30 today... I have yet to pack and don't know what camping gear I want to bring. But everything else is in a pretty good state!

About to go drop Champ off where he will be staying for two months, and leave my car with a friend. Yesterday we had a fantastic herding day! Pictures & videos available on instagram (@faith_do).