Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Aloha to Kauai - Waimea Canyon and Barking Sands

Mark Twain dubbed it "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific".  It is 10 miles long and 3,500 feet deep.   It offers a rainbow of colors.  It is the Waimea Canyon.


Driving up the access road, we passed this red dirt waterfall.


We reached 3400 feet elevation ....


... and rewarded with a breathtaking view!


Pu'u is hill.  Hinahina is the silversword - a rare plant that grows in high elevations.  Yet we did not spot any hinahina ... 


... just glorious landscape!  To learn more about the Waimea Canyon, check out its website at this link.


Climbing another 1748 feet, we reach Wai'ale'ale.  It captures the clouds rolling across the Pacific.


Wai'ale'ale gives us a glimpse of the Na Pali Coast.


 
Naturally the area is perfect for satellite tracking.




We drove from the summit to the beach at Barking Sands aka Pacific Missile Range Facility.  Given its remote location, Barking Sands offers seclusion.  


Do you have a special place where you can can retreat?   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs will win a book choice from my convention stash.  


One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs will win book choice from my convention stash. This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, March 31, 10 pm. I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii



A family enjoys Barking Sands


March Madness continues here at SOS Aloha! All commenters in March will be entered into a special drawing for prizes from RT in Chicago. 3 US, 3 Canadian, and 3 international readers will win a package with books and goodies. Comments can be made at:

- SOS Aloha, sosaloha.blogspot.com
- Aloha On My Mind, alohaonmymind.blogspot.com
- My guest posts at the Reading Reviewer (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) at marygraml
ich.blogspot.com


I'll post the winners of March Madness on Monday, April 2.







17 comments:

  1. Funny! There is a thing on Weather Channel - About this photographer and he was taking pictures of different places in Hawaii. I know one was Pele, taking pcitures of the lava in the water.

    Mm, I really don't have a place I can escape too. I use to when I was little and lived in Pinehurst (in Ohio)

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  2. Sometimes I'll walk along the pier or sit on the benches and watch the waves crash on the rocks.

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  3. just my room and reading book :)

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  4. Yes I do it is in my room I have all my books there so I am happy !

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  5. Those pictures are great.
    I do and like many others it's in my bedroom with all my books and bookmarks and little doodads all over the bookshelves. a place to relax, listen to music and be able to read.

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  6. Beautiful pictures as always. There is a short trail nearby that takes you to a very small waterfall but it is very peaceful and I love going there

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  7. I have really bad asthma sometimes, so I'm unable to climb, especially to these dizzing heights. Therefore, I'm really grateful to you for sharing such amazing pictures for us all to see and enjoy.

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  8. I love the photos of Waimea Canyon. It is beautiful there. As for a retreat, I'll go someplace near the water. Either the bay, or the beach. Or if I don't have much time, to the little lakes that are near my house. And the bathtub! That is definitely a favorite place to retreat as long as I have a book with me.

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  9. I'm attending a church-sponsored retreat this weekend, at a beautiful retreat center south of here--wooded grounds and a lake are part of the facility.

    I love the photos, especially Waimea Canyon.

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  10. Kim -

    I loved the pictures of Waimea Canyon. My husband and I had waited years to finally take a trip to the Grand Canyon. You had much better luck than we did taking pictures because the day we were there the entire canyon was filled with fog!

    My husband and I like to relax by driving on all our vacations (and visits to the grandchildren who live in S. Carolina). The trick is we try to avoid Route 95 at all costs and that's when we can relax driving by going a different route every time going thru small towns, beautiful valleys and falling in love with our country all over again.

    We stop at small out of the way places and always try to talk to the people in the town and find out the things they love best about it. We also try to pick up local produce or products that are locally made and once we're home to remember the wonderful places we've been and people we've met.

    So many people think of driving long distance as a chore but to us it's a great way to relax, take your time and if your down South find that perfect cup of tea!

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  11. Beautiful pics. I have a covered back porch with a small hill behind our house that is nice except for winter lol.

    catslady

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  12. I also have a covered back porch where I like to read. Beside it is my flower garden with and my butterfly bushes. I love to watch the butterflies flitting around!

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  13. what a beautiful place I am so in awe of the majestic view I thought nothing could compare to My beloved Home ( Scotland) Wow very close second.
    When DH was a regular Diver we would go to Tobermory In the Bruce peninsula water is very cold & Clear lots of shipwreck to diver interest.
    we alway drive around looking at the inlets for sale dream of the cottage/house we would build.
    my favorite spot to date is RED BAY small community the sunsets are divine The beach clean & soft The people sweet & Kind every night they come together to watch the sun set share drinks & treats a barrel BBQ of Hotdogs or sausage lemonade all free. They welcome you as if you are Family.
    Have a good one ann/alba

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  14. I like to go to the park.

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  15. hmm i am a little bit embarassed but my best place to retreat would be my childhood home:D. I love to spend times with my mom hehe, aretha zhen

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  16. does them boys know how lucky they are :)

    not really., i used to go for a ride in the mountains and just wander all kinds of backroads . ga mountains is wonderful place

    blackroze37

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  17. These pictures are so beautiful!! My visit to the Grand Canyon was similar to Jeanne M's. It was overcast with lots of really low clouds and snowing the day we were there - we were so disappointed! And, no, I don't have a place where I can retreat; sure wish I did!

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