The "Flying High Above Kauai: Part II" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Adding photos to complement the story and photos I posted yesterday about the helicopter ride that Carol and I took when visiting the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Over 80% of the island is only assessable by air so we opted to make our visit complete with a tour by air.  The following photos and descriptions will hopefully will give you an idea of what we saw.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Flight that lifted off just before we did at the Lihue Airport.

Ready to enjoy our front row seats on our aerial journey.

A golf course on the southwest part of the island. 

This is a beautiful tree tunnel that is more impressive driving through it than viewing it from overhead.

The Manawaiopuna Jurassic Falls.

I must have had 30 to 40 photos of waterfalls.  Every turn we took produced another falls.  Some more beautiful than the others.

Heading toward the Waimea Canyon.  On the right you can see a series of waterfalls that travel from the top of the mountain to the bottom.

A better view of those falls.

The start of the Waimea Canyon.

The layers of rock of different varieties give color to the scenes in front of us.  In the distance can be seen another canyon waiting to be explored. 

Beauty is everywhere.

Our pilot talked the entire time describing just about everything you would want to know.  Very capable young man.

Finally we reached the Napali Coast and the colors changed dramatically.

Indentations in the rock formation gave really neat texture and shape to the shoreline.

Same two indentations as above photo, but taken from a different angle.

This is what I remember from our last trip to Kauai.  This valley I believe is where parts of Jurassic Park was filmed.

Colors are beautiful.

The formations appear in unison for as far as you can see.

We have reached Haena Beach area which marks the end point of the Kuhio Highway.  This tip is accessible by land transportation.

Fields of crops including taro can be seen in this photo as we begin to head south.

Just a beautiful scene.

Waterfall after waterfall drop from the top as we fly by.

We flew into one of the valleys pictured above to be greeted with another helicopter.  You can see the immense size of the valley when you compare it to the size of the helicopter.

We are about to fly up to Mount Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth.

We crossed to the other side of Mount Waialeale and as he turned the copter we saw …...

naturally the other side of the Mountain.  Is always covered with clouds.  It averages close to 500 inches of rain annually.

On our return home.

The airport appears on the left.

This helicopter was landing directly in front of us.  The end of our fantastic journey.

The "Flying High Above Kauai: Part I" Story

Collage taken from the advertisement of
Sunshine Helicopter. 

It was an ordinary day.  Carol and I are on the final leg of our helicopter ride flying high across the vast expanse known as Kauai.  We have toured most of the island by car during our two vacations to this beautifully green island, but since 80% of the island is inaccessible by foot or driving, we decided it was time to see the splendor of Kauai by the aerial route.  We made reservations a few days ago with Sunshine Helicopters for a 1:00 PM flight.  Decided we wanted the front seats in the copter so we paid the extra.  Got to the reservation desk about an hour early and shortly after were driven to the heliport at Lihue Airport.  

Carol moving into position in the front seat of the copter.

 Sat in our assigned seats near the tarmac until we were called to walk towards the copter.  Carol and I were placed in the helicopter last with her entering first and siting next to the pilot and me last sitting in the side seat.  We were fastened in place and fitted with a headset.  The huge expanse in front of us guaranteed a great view.  Below me was a big bubble window which allowed me to see straight down.  This was our second helicopter tour of the Hawaiian islands so we knew what to expect during the tour.  

Off on our tour of Kauai.  Our pilot is on the right.

 After an introduction by the young pilot, we lifted off the tarmac and headed across the Lihue Airport terminal heading toward the south, then northwest toward the Manawaiopuna Jurassic Falls.  From the air, the huge falls, which look so overpowering from ground level, seem so small in size.  This is the area of the island where the films Jurassic Park I, II, and III were filmed years ago. 

The Manawaiopuna Jurassic Falls.

Other movies filmed in Kauai were "The Descendants, Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Six Days Seven Nights and South Pacific.  As we lower down to get a better view of the falls we can see other helicopters keeping pace with us.   We head toward the top of the falls and after reaching the peak immediately head over the cliffs and drop back down again on the other side of the mountains.  Thrilling feeling to have all this directly in front of us.  Shortly we are within the Waialeale Crater and all the lush valleys and waterfalls that surround it.  Next destination is Waimea Canyon.  This canyon is "Flyignicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" and it easy to see why.  

The Waimea Canyon.

 The massive canyon provides stunning views of Kauai's biggest attractions.  The lush valleys and tropical canopies open in front of us; all in technicolor.  On some of the highest plains we can see wild goats eating and then scurrying for cover as they hear the copter approaching.  

The Napali Coast.

 Next we approach the Magestic Napali Coast.  The mountains which feature brilliant colors and deep indentations are unbelievable.  The peaks of the mountains soar 3,000 feet above the turquoise sea below them and we are witnessing every wave crashing onto the shore and every shadow as it changes with the helicopters' positioning.  There aren't many times in my life that I can't put my camera in front of my face to snap a photo, but this is one of them.  Can't imagine what the Hawaiians who inhabited this land years ago must have felt as they approached the shore in their canoes.  The beautiful white sand beaches are all uninhabited as we pass from one to another.  The copter pilot is flying us into some of the most remote areas on earth as we fly close to the mountain walls then soar to the top to see the next gorgeous mountain.  At the north end of Napali Coast we reach Haena Beach Park which marks the end point of the Kuhio Highway.  This park provides access to beaches, trails and several ancient Hawaiian sites, including sea caves estimated to be more than 4,000 years old.  No problem for us as we have just seen many of these sights.  Hanalei Bay comes into sight where we get to see the large fields of taro and other Hawaiian crops as they pass by, all in perfect triangles of space. 

Mount Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth. 

 Finally, one of my favorite sites, Mount Waialeale which is considered the wettest spot on earth.  Our pilot said that over 450 inches of rain falls on the mountain top every year.  Two years ago a spot in India topped that, but last year Waialeale yielded over 600 inches and took the title back once again.  You can't see the top of the mountain as we approach due to the clouds.  We fly well below the clouds then the pilot soars up the side of the mountain directly towards the clouds.  Wow, better than most amusement rides and it is all happening right in front of me.  We never saw the top of the mountain because of rain and cloud cover, but it was still thrilling.  We headed around to the other side for one last photo of Waialeale then back to the airport.  Fascinating one hour of my life had just ended and I just loved it.  Did get some good photos, but my camera was in my lap for quite a bit of the trip.  I have added some of my favorite photos throughout the story so you can experience what I did, but unless you take the trip yourself, you will never have the thrill of flying high above Kauai. Tomorrow I will post 20 or so more photos to give you an idea how the island of Kauai appears from the sky.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Visit With A Friend" Story

It was an ordinary day.  My friend Jim, who is now teaching in the classroom that I designed and taught in for close to 20 years, made a visit to check on my health and bring me up to date with what is going on in the school district where I graduated from and taught in for 32 years.  When Jim began teaching at Manheim Township High School I quickly got to know him since I was still employed by the school district to print in-house materials for the school district.  And, that required that I work in the classroom where he taught.  He welcomed me into his classroom right from the start.  Even asked for help every now and then.  Well, Jim emailed me the end of last week to see if I was up to having visitors after my back surgery.  Returned the email telling him I would love to have him stop for a talk.  We talked about my recent visit to Hawaii as well as my recovery and then I asked him about the guys in the tech ed department and how they all are doing.  I then asked him about the lock-down that was experience at the high school two weeks ago.  Seems a 22 caliber live bullet was found in one of the classrooms and the Manheim Township Police officer who is stationed in the high school decided it best if he called for a lock-down.  Teachers got an emergency email telling them not to allow anyone to exit the classroom and doors were locked.  Jim said that he was lucky since his best class was in his classroom at the time. At first they had no idea about what was happening, but with the news services in the county broadcasting about the lock-down, they soon found the info on their phones.  Everyone was very cooperative as a search of everyone in every part of the school was begun.  No lunches were served and bathroom breaks were stopped.  After about three and a half hours in his classroom, security guards ushered students to the bathroom.  Eventually, room by room, everyone, including teachers, was checked with a wand for metals.  After a room was checked they either boarded a bus and waited or left by car.  Eventually everyone in the school was checked and a long day ended.  Nothing was found from the search.  The school district was commended in the local press for being so thorough in protecting it's students.  Jim said that for most of the day the police officer questioned his approach of ordering the lockdown, but in the end he was also commended for the way he handled the job he was paid to perform.  I talked with Jim as to how things have changed so much over the years.  Back in the early 1970's, when I coached the rifle team, it was nothing to have a case or two of live 22L rifle ammo in the closet of my classroom.  I would carry a few boxes of bullets to the rifle range after school for practice.  No police ... no security guards.  There is still a rifle team at the school, but they now use air rifles.  How our society has changed!  I thanked Jim for the visit and conversation as he headed home.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "A Walk To The Beach At Po'ipu" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Arrived at the Po'ipu Kia Resort in Po'ipu, Hawaii a few days ago  and arose early this morning to explore the beautiful grounds of the resort.  I'm going to take you with me and let you wander around the resort as I walk towards Po'ipu Beach which is on the Pacific Ocean. I'm sure you will agree that the place is beautiful.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - remember to click on photos to enlarge them.

Condo units that are part of the resort.

Pathways throughout the resort.

Flowers galore! 

Plumeria trees throughout.

Bird of Paradise.

Looking toward the Pacific.

Kauai is known as the "Garden Island."

After reaching the beach you can watch the guys riding the waves on their boards.

Beautiful morning. That's me with my camera in the bottom right of the photo.

Pathway with plants on one side and banana trees on the other.

More flowers.

This is just beautiful. 

Grove of banana trees.

Not sure what this plant may be, but this is looking at the back of the leaf with the sun showing through it.  The spots are markings on the front of the leaf.

This is the bark on a palm tree.  The marks are probably created over time by the workers climbing the trees to trim the leaves and coconuts from the trees.  The workers shoes have cleats on them to help them climb.

My constant friend is a rooster who is showing me around his territory.

This will end up being one of the leaves of the plant.

On the patio of our condo is located this banana tree.

The "Meeting Jimmy Lee" Story

Jimmy Lee talking with Carol and me about his Pearl
 Harbor experiences. Strangely, sitting next to him was
a Navy Veteran whose name also was Jimmy Lee.

It was an ordinary day.  Talking with Jimmy Lee about his remem- brances of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  Jimmy is one of the survivors or witnesses to the attack who is manning the table at the National Park Service's Arizona Memorial and is more than willing to share with Carol and me the scary and horrendous day almost 73 years ago.  He was 11 years old at the time and lived on a farm that overlooked the waters of Battleship Row and Ford Island.  He said he heard noises that fateful morning in the direction of the military base about a mile from his farm and after hearing a few explosions sat on the railroad tracks by his place and watched as Japanese planes bombed ship after ship.  Shortly later he and his family as well as neighborhood friends heard that the Japanese had landed so they ran to a nearby cave up in the hills above his farm to hide.  

These are photos that he showed us of him and his dog
as well as a map of Pearl Harbor area.

They stayed in the cave for three days until they decided to head for home.  By then the entire island was under Martial Law which lasted for the next few years.  Jimmy was Japanese, but was a United States citizen since he was born on Hawaii.  Many of his friends who were Japanese, but didn't hold United States citizenship, where rounded up and sent to the mainland for their own protection as well as some were suspect that they may have been involved in the plot to bomb the harbor.  He eventually graduated from high school on the island and in 1953 was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War era.  He was sent to Officer Training School in Oklahoma, but eventually resigned so he could be with is buddies in Korea.  Instead he was sent to Europe to serve in the Occupation of Germany.  He intended to make the military his life, but had to return to the family farm when illness and death arrived in his family.  He continued in the Army Reserves for over 40 years, retiring as a SGM with a Legion of Merit award for his service.  Jimmy's eyes grow big as he remembers that day in December and how he thought it was a big fireworks display until he finally realized the magnitude of the event, even at the age of 11.  He said there are many other events in his life he has forgotten, but that day in infamy will never be forgotten.  It as another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Some Things Make Us Feel Better!" Story

My "Get Well" card from Marg Price.

It was an ordinary day.  The kind of day that you're not sure if you feel good or bad, up or down, ……….  I guess I'm kinda feeling a little down since the weather has turned colder and I can't get outside to try and walk and give my back some exercise.  It's been three days since I have come home from fusion back surgery and I feel like I should be able to do more.  Not gonna happen today.  My brace is either too tight or not tight enough …… my legs feel great or they hurt like crazy….. well, you know one of those days.  Then something caught my eye as I was passing our kitchen table.  There, smiling at me, was the 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper that Carol's longtime friend Marg had sent to me when I was in the hospital.  I picked it up and noticed all the time and effort she must have put into the card to try and make me feel better.  Well, it sure did!  Read it and re-read it over and over.  What a talented artist she is.  I have featured her cards over the years on my blog and thought it would make my day to do it one more time.  So, Marg, for you and everyone else to see today ….. thanks for the card and smiles it gave me.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Poipu Beach" Story

Poipu Beach photographed in early 1970s.

It was an ordinary day.  Re- flecting on  the beach that has been one of my favorites on the island of Kauai, HI.  Little spit of land that juts out into the Pacific Ocean on the south-facing side of Kauai where you can watch the tropical sunrises and sunsets. Poipu Beach is a short walk from the Aston at Poipu Kai where we have stayed for close to a week on this year's vacation.  

Poipu Beach

First morning there I made the walk with my camera and documented my journey for you in another story to be posted later.  In the early 1970's Poipu Beach Park, a narrow strip along the mainland that connects the land to the sea, was primarily beachfront properties which were private homes, cottages and storefronts.  Camping was permitted so dogs and hippies ran free, more than likely camping in their VW Vans along the ocean.

Brenneckee's Store across from the beach.

Surfing, snorkeling, spear fishing and body surfing were the norm, but then the simple life began to disappear as the tourism began to grow.  I was part of that tourism in the late 1900's and am sorry if I ruined the much simpler life that existed back them.  

Marker telling about the beach.

The beachside neighbor- hood store known as Brennec- kee's opened where you could rent beach supplies and have a meal along the ocean.  They also provided masks and fins to snorkel the beautiful waters at the nearby Poipu park. Snorkelers can see a wide array of marine life such as the colorful state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapau fish, also known as the reef triggerfish as it weaves through underwater lava rock formations and coral.  As far back as those 60's Poipu Beach Park is still about having fun and sun on one of the most beautiful beaches in Kauai. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Shark in the sand. 

Spear fishermen roam the beach.

This part of the park leads to an old cemetery.

A chicken (the alleged state bird) pecks at one of the graves in the cemetery.

Bathers gathers on the beach for the beaching of a ……….

A large sea turtle who has suddenly arrived for sunning.

A day at Poipu Beach.