So another day, another 10 miler run along the paths of paradise. This morning was a bit harder to get up and go, but I rallied and did it. Caught a few pre-dawn pics and made it back in time to get ready to hit the Fern Grotto River Cruise we had pre-booked.
I had done the Fern Grotto River Cruise last year as part of an all day tour package of the Kauai Island. Instead of us being shuttled right, left, and center, and stopping at EVERY conceivable hotel from here to Poipu, I thought we’d just go direct and I’d take Mom on my own version of the day tour, spread out over a few days. I think I made the right decision. We took the first boat of the day and as we effortlessly cruised along the Wailua River, I was reminded once again of the natural beauty and respectful development of the land here on the island.
As for the Fern Grotto itself, no photos could possibly do it justice — there’s no 3-D and sensory smellovision enhancement known to the internet at present that can convey the experience of walking the path through Jurassic Park-ian rain forest to the grotto proper. Even if virtual reality gets to the stage, I’m not sure I want to live to see it. There’s something inherent in the visceral, realness of reality that cannot be replicated by the representation, no matter how stimulating and “virtually real.” I was glad to share the experience with Mom who I think was pleased to visit this secluded garden spot, a place where for you trivia buffs, Lola Albright, the female lead of TV’s Peter Gunn, was once married.
From there, I took Mom to a late lunch restaurant I discovered just up the road from the hotel last year. A native son told me about it as being THE place local folks go, from the time they were keiki to the age of wisdom. The portions were huge and the food was delicious.
From there we headed out to the Kilauea Lighthouse. I tried going last year but it was on a day the place was closed. IT was worth the $5 per person admission charge as the views were stunning. Not that there aren’t stunning views all through Kauai, but it seemed worthwhile to contribute to a wildlife preserve.
Returning to the hotel, we had a note waiting for us from the management. Hurricane Lester is barreling toward Hawaii and we need to get prepared — some tracking predictions put landfall at Saturday night, Sunday morning, meaning there’s a big ol’ bullseye on the marathon.
I took a stroll on the beach to clear my head. The last weather report on my phone puts the strongest winds as today and just a lot of rain on Sunday — nobody knows anything as far as I can tell.
Who knows what the future holds, so I went about my own version of preparation — I’m drinking Skinny Girl though as I still have to be in some semblance of marathon shape!
Tomorrow: The Expo and The Drive to Waimea Canyon… assuming we don’t get evacuated.