Aloha blog! We’re wrapping up Day 6 in Kauai, and right about now, we just reached the beach at the 2 mile point on the Na Pali Coast hike. In order to get to this beach, you have to cross a fairly fast-moving thigh-deep river. I REALLY wished I was wearing my Chacos! We had to take off our boots and socks and tie them to our packs, and then slooooowly navigate across the river without falling (success!). Being bratty I was determined to cross the river without any help and actually flapped my hand at a girl offering me her trekking pole on the way back.

Once we crossed the river there was an extremely good-looking Park Ranger hanging out, making sure everyone was safe, telling everyone about the 11 mile hike being closed off due to flooding. He had dazzling green eyes and long fluttery dark lashes that I lost myself in for at least 30 full seconds, and DAMMIT OH I wish I had gotten a picture of him. You’ll have to remain in my memory, Hot Park Ranger, and that makes me a little sad because my memory isn’t so great.

We stayed on the beach for a bit, ate some lunch, took in the view. There are strict warnings for no swimming on this beach, as the current had claimed several lives in the past. I considered tossing myself dramatically into the sea so Hot Park Ranger could rescue me, but decided against it.

The cliffs were drizzling water, and the sand was incredibly smooth. It was a beautiful beach, despite the danger. I’d do it all over again…if Hot Park Ranger was there! Ooooh-weeeee!

Speaking of the park ranger, see the helicopter? I did get to see him one more time–as we were hiking back down, he came scrambling down the trail to help rescue a middle-aged woman who had sprained her ankle. He raced past me with a quick “Hi” but I wasn’t fast enough to grab the camera or even flutter my (false) eyelashes at him. Heigh ho!

One of my characteristic, less-than-sixty-seconds long shaky videos sometime during our hike.

Good-bye, stunningly beautiful Na Pali coast!

Green fields near the start/end of the hike.

The hike ends at K’e beach, so Josh went snorkeling while I relaxed on the sand.

We stopped at Princeville for shave ice. I don’t want to mention any names, but let’s just say it was the crappiest shave ice we had all week…and we had a lot of shave ice!

Outside Princeville is this stunning lookout point.

One of us should paint this.

After taking in this scene, we had sushi at Masa’s (the sushi was so-so, but the waitress was great!).

So green! So Kauai!

Join me next time for Day 7: Paddleboarding for the first time! Grilled cheese and coconut milk! Yyyyyyeah!