Hanalei, Lydgate, and Waimea Canyon

  At Hanalei, we observed changes from our last visit--the new pier extending out into the bay (picture above and below taken from pier), changed road conditions, and of course Covid19 impacts.

The valley to Hanalei was as lovely as ever, but the pot-hole roads were more severe and driving was dedicated to keeping the car tires out of holes.  We lunched in Hanalei, and the lunch was delicious and the waiter helpful and friendly.  Most people were courteous at the bridges, but every now and then a string of ten cars went over past the signs that said 5-7 cars at a time was common courtesy.  Puff must have been asleep, because we saw no magic dragons this trip...

The next day we stayed at our lovely resort, as Lizzie and I would use the pools multiple times during the day: we would walk the length of the river pools at least three times, basking in the sun in a quiet pool between each trek, and finish up in the hot tub.  Helen generally walks around the land area, but hasn't been in the pool as much as Liz and I.

The next day (Monday) was going to be a beach day, and Helen decided to stay at the condo.  Liz and I went to Lydgate, but the surf was really high.  We first took the paved walk to the Golf Course, and as we walked we passed some feral cats which people were feeding (judging by water and food bowls tucked under the pathway hedges).   One Tom Cat clearly had decided that chickens were not on its dinner plate, and the rooster clearly also had decided that peaceful co-existence was a good plan, as shown on the image below:

Kauai chickens and little chicks are everywhere, as we remembered. At another location on the coastal path, we stopped and watched whales playing--breaching and splashing.  By the time I managed to get my camera ready and snap a picture, all I could catch was a spout, but the whales were in quite close to shore. 

I got ready to snorkel at Lydgate, but the current was so strong that day, even in the protected lagoon (see image below), that my balance in the water was topsy-turvey so I followed Liz' pattern and just sat partially submerged on rocks--we didn't see a single fish, and according to our guidebook, that has been the case since the county dredged the pool.  So sad because we used to see lots of tropical fish at Lydgate.

We returned to the resort and enjoyed the calm river pools instead, heading later over to the Lemongrass Restaurant for another lovely meal and my first MaiTai of the the trip.  Helen had a virgin cocktail, which was also very pretty.

The next day, Tuesday, we drove south to the Waimea Canyon Park--a long drive but such a lovely park, with spectacular canyon views--helicopters are moving up and down the canyon, bird-like specks in the distance and flying below the lookout points.  It is easy to see why this section of Kauai is roadless--the terrain is deeply rugged.

We lunched late in Hanapepe, and relaxed that evening at our resort.