So today we were bad. Sort of. We were all tuckered out from yesterday's excitement that we slept in late. Really late. We missed Alma's family event. Had a late (really late) breakfast which was crazy delicious.
Then we decided to hit the road and go to Queen's Bath. Which turned out to be about a quarter of a mile away.
Queen's Bath starts with a nice..slightly steep and slightly challenging hike down a trail, beyond a small but enchanting waterfall, along a rocky lava shelf, passed a couple of "inlets" and then the bath itself. The bath is a sort of basin that's been carved out by eons of water. It's deep enough to jump into and calm enough to swim and relax in. At least normally.
However, it's Winter in Kauai and the water along the north is rough. Really rough. So rough that if we were to attempt the Bath, we'd likely have been (a) pounded agains the rocks as the waves came in, then (b) have our nearly lifeless, bloody bodies swept out to sea where (c) the sharks would devour our remains.
Seems Calm Enough...
...Until This Booms Over the Edge and Rushes Toward You!
Oh...So That's What This Plaque Is Referring To!
So we sat and watched the waves. They were huge waves as the picture above will attest. And off in the distance we saw whales jumping. So we sat and watched that for a while.
Finally it was time to return to the car. Russell, distraught that he didn't get to splash in the Bath, decided to splash in the waterfall. Then climb up it. Fortunately for him, he didn't slip and fall because if he had...whatever parts the waterfall didn't kill, I would have finished off.
Yup...That's Our Russell Under the Waterfall
Here's a little video of one of the inlets. The kids like to swim here. However, it's very scary. You see, it's a sort-of comma-shaped..inlet. The ocean surf pushes water into the "bay" which rises and lowers as the water comes in and goes out. But today the ocean was...angry. Watch as the water not just lowers but abruptly drains down to the rocks. Then....a huge wave comes in and the water level rises quickly up to the top...as more whitewater pours over the top of the rocks. Danger! Danger! Danger!
Returning from the Bath we went to the pool to get our daily splashing in. Then Russ made a super yummy Portabella Mushroom "burger." We ate on the lanai and had a visit from some of the local cardinals. They were both cautious and friendly; including taking food directly out of our hands.
Then...we all fell asleep! Really! For like 3 hours, we just slept! haha!
We woke up, went back to the pool. Russ cooked dinner. We ate dinner, watched TV, did a few pictures, then went to bed.
Lazy day. Great day.
