Rainbow at Waialua Falls
After seven days on the island, it's beginning to seem to us that every place starts with a W followed by an assortment of vowels. Here's another example. This rainbow was hanging around off the spray from the falls. The entire island is very wet. Rainfall here has been in excess of 16 inches in the past ten days, and the news is usually about flash flood warnings and small craft advisories. We believe these small craft advisories to be cautions issued to makers of macrame coasters, shell lei, and other small craft items.
Waialua Falls
This is the falls itself, one of many spectacular waterfalls that dot this island. Because of the heavy rainfall, most area trails are ankle-deep red mud, so we haven't ventured far off the paved roads. Curiously, all of the dirt on this island is a deep red. When asked about the red dirt, the locals answer "what red dirt?" Having been repeatedly skunked on all of our questioning, we've decided to let the question of Portuguese sausage lie. Lest you think we've had nothing but rain, rest easy. It's always raining somewhere on this island, but not necessarily where we are.
A big surprise
Because of the rainfall and the evenly warm temperatures, things grow very quickly on Kauai. We were reminded of this south seas fact the hard way, having left our rental car parked just a bit too long. Luckily, everyone here seems to own a machete and to have it with them at all times. Plus, they are extremely friendly (which is very lucky, considering they all have machetes), so one helpful passerby was more than eager to help us hack our way back into the driver's seat. In return, Mike was forced to give away his socks as a gift. They are a novelty here and much in demand.
Same thing at the bridge
So you thought we were lying when we told you about the car and the machete and the socks deal. Well, this ought to prove that we weren't. When we came through this bridge the first time, it was perfectly clean. Two hours later, and bingo, vegetation city.
Mike in the cane fields
Luckily, Leslie, he had more socks because our next stop was to the sugar cane fields, where it's very clear you are not supposed to be. Just out of view to the right is a big sign that says "DO NOT BE HERE" and just out of view to the left is "YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE MOWED DOWN PRONTO SO SCAT." However, Mike never pays attention to directions, so you see him there flaunting his there-ness.
Thunderbolt Sugar Company
Having discovered a new strain of sugar that grows in pre-measured, portion control packets, Mike swiftly purchased the entire 162 acres and is now the owner of a Hawaiian Sugar Plantation. Using the accumulated earnngs of the CRC profit sharing plan, he also bought a plantation manor, several guest cottages, a cane milling operation, and a brace of Clydesdales. (Joan, he'll be calling soon with directions on where to send the funds). Hope you can all come visit us here someday!So that's it for our vacation web page (we think). Tomorrow we go everywhere we haven't been so far and Monday we fade off into the distance, where you can find us sipping cool tea on the veranda at our plantation. Well it's almost over, but on to DAY 8 to wish us Aloha and mahalo. And puppy wuffers to Lindsay, Austin and Nick (without whom none of this would have been possible).