Black Hills

 The last couple of days exploring some beautiful scenery and wildlife require that I include a comment about cuts to the National Park System. If you camp or like exploring the beautiful recreation areas the U.S. has to offer, you know how popular these resources are and how heavily used. Already strained by an interested public, the Parks not face cuts in personnel and resources. No matter how you look at this Republican decision, even economically, you understand this cut is foolish.

The Black Hills is another nearby resource we have not thoroughly explored. Folks visit the Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore attractions far more frequently than the parks and forests. We spent most of a day driving through Black Hills National Forest and The Needles. Sylvan Lake is one of the scenic mountain/lake settings I have viewed. 

 

South Dakota One

 We are on our way to Salt Lake Cindy and Olive's high school graduation. We have plenty of time so we asked ChatGPT for plans for a 3-day trip - stops, side trips, lodging, etc. The results were great with stops in Rapid City and Casper. We have been through this route many times, but often the way to somewhere else and  we did not take in the local sights.

Mitchell

Mitchell is home to the Corn Palace. The Corn Palace is decorated with corn kernels of different colors (see images). It must take a lot of careful work to create giant murals. The Palace is never as large as I expect, but it does contain an arena suitable for athletic events and farm animal judging. Traveling this time of year is great because the tourist season has yet to start,

South Dakota Badlands

We lived in North Dakota and visited the North Dakota Badlands several times. The Badlands (North and South Dakota) are known for the unusual land formation which resulted from layers of deposits that were then eroded away. The Badlands are also home to wildlife. We saw buffalo at a distance and mule deer up close.

Aloha

 

So ends another winter spent in Kauai. I am glad to be back in Minnesota and getting my plants started for the garden. In a week or so, I will likely miss Kauai.

I have to admit that the present political and financial crisis has me worried. If the present downturn continues, will we be able to continue spending our winters in this way? I am trying to be positive, but nothing at this point seems under my control. 

A tale of tails

 Our time in Kauai is coming to an end and we were able to fit in a whale-watching, sunset cruise. We had planned a similar outing earlier, but had that event cancelled because of high winds. This trip was one of our most successful outings of this type in terms of the number of whales we saw, but most did nothing exciting such as leaping or slapping their flukes, Mostly we just saw spouts, backs, and tails,

Some spinner dolphins swam in front of the boat until they became bored and left us.

Natasha, Victor, and Sonia.

Early morning yoga

 

We are moving into the time of year when school its Spring break and some families and wealthy students take vacations in Kauai. Tbere is a spot across the way that is on the edge of a cliff over the ocean and once a week I see a yoga class meeting there. Because it is early morning, I see the class silhouetted against the sky. The class was extra large today and I tried to capture what I saw with my telephoto. It turned out pretty well. 

Not for Everyone

 There are plenty of strange things you can eat in Kauai. Some you discover at Farmer’s markets. The picture included below is Cacao. Eventually, this could have become chocolate, but this is the original component of that process. I have tasted a “bean” at a Cacoa farm, but one of our Russian friends saw it on the menu at Nourish and ordered. I think everyone had a small taste and then the delicacy was discarded.

Large and in charge

Poipu beach is the place to go to see turtles. The numbers have decreased since we arrived, and they are now moving north about 400 miles to lay their eggs. Turtles and large crowds of people must share the same area. There are signs posted that explain the distance you must stay away from the turtles, but not all pay attention or read the signs. Usually, volunteers would position the signs around the turtles and tell those who strayed to move back.

Natasha came to get me to view the scene as I was at my post under cover reading a book.  Cindy had taken charge and had moved the signs to an appropriate distance. She was warning people to move back. Natasha wanted me to take a photo. No disrespect intended by the title, but there are some folks who step up and some who know better but stand around looking at the ground. She was nice, but firm. 

The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper

 I have been reading a lot while in Kauai and one of the recent books was “The Notebook:A History of Thinking on Paper”. As the title suggests, the book covers the history of individuals keeping track of different experiences and ideas throughout history. I started to think about my own history of such activities. I started writing online in 2002 and most of the content I generated for this blog was professional in nature. I wrote about Cindy and my experiences promoting uses of technology for teachers. As time went on, I began to write more about a variety of topics including personal experiences. When I retired, about ten years ago, I began a blog focused on our experiences as we traveled about the world. You are reading this blog.

As I read about the history of individuals recording their experiences in similar ways, I took a look back at some of our travels. I decided I used to write more and I wrote more about places than people. You get glances that include our companions and personal reactions, but not as many as others might emphasize. I should make an effort to change my emphasis a bit. We have interacted with many interesting people on our trips.

One of our most interesting friendships has been with a Russian family and their associates. Cindy first met Natasha when Cindy made education-focused trips to Russia and Natasha was her interpreter. I eventually had the opportunity to visit Russia and we spent several weeks exploring the country with Natasha, Alec, and family. Most of that family has now immigrated to the U.S. and Natasha just became a citizen within the week. Alec and Natasha were with us in Kauai when the war with Ukraine started and they were on the phone talking with acquaintances and family members in both countries.

Natasha is with us now soon to be joined by her son Victor and girlfriend who we have yet to meet. Natasha and Cindy have a good time exploring together and spend some time on beaches which allows me to avoid the sand. Natasha is an amazing cook and she and Cindy also have a great time in the kitchen.

Here is my breakfast this morning.

The variety and presentation is much like dining at a fancy restaurant. There is borscht on the stove for dinner tonight.

I am waiting for the ISU NCAA game while Cindy and Natasha are out exploring. 

Hindu Temple and Monastery

Kauai is not that large so over the years we have visited most of the most common sites. Cindy discovered the Hindu Temple and has been trying to pay a visit with some of our guests but it takes a while to get there and public access closes at noon. Yesterday, we made a stronger commitment with the closing time in mind and it turned out to be a very nice experience.

The Temple and Monastery have been around in some form since the late 1940s and while I am guess most of the folks who read this blog have little exposure to the Hindu religion, the presence on Kauai makes a lot of sense given the heavy presence of people from Asia. The grounds now total 380 acres and contain two temples - one open to the public and the other being renovated which is not. While open to the public, this is location is not intended as a tourist attraction and you can tell this from the makeup of the visitors who made this journey to spend time at a holy site. 

I did not enter the Temple because I was wearing shorts and did not take a robe when I entered the grounds. Photos are not allowed within the Temple.

One of the more interesting areas to me was a large meditation area built under a giant banyan tree. The area contained a centerpiece and smaller adjacent areas with chairs with several deep in meditation.

I sat on a bench while Cindy and Natasha visited the Temple and discovered that the Temple estate not only had nice WIFI, but even a blog. I read several entries and one described a recently inititated Monk. The post said "After six months in the Supplicancy program and several months sitting by the wall, begging entrance to the monastery". I tried to identify the wall described, but found nothing that fit the image in my head.

Kokee State Park

One location we always try to view with visitors in the overlook at Kokee State Park. Because the view is often obscured by clouds, having a clear view is even more rewarding. Cindy's long time friend was visiting and we had a great view on her final day in Kauaii.

On the way, we stopped to view the falls in Waimea canyon. The wind was very strong and you can see the impact the wind had on the falls.

Nourish

If you think there is not much to look at, you are looking in the wrong direction. The food stand is called Nourish.

Wealth

Cindy and friend are off exploring the island, so I decided to visit a different coffee shop. Rather than walk the 2 miles back after being dropped off in Princeville, I walked to the coffee shop a 1/2 mile away in the 1 Hotel at Hanalei Bay. I would typecast this place as where wealthy parents would gift newlyweds a two-week vacation after everyone else has gone home from a destination wedding. I put on a shirt with a collar in the hopes they would not throw me out, so I managed to drink a mediocre $9 latte and use their wifi for two hours.

I happen to be reading Caste and the combination of that book and my $9 mediocre latte put me in the mood to think about wealth. Many may assume Cindy and my lifestyle is extravagant. We are able to afford some great experiences, but there are many levels of magnitude beyond our opportunities. You get a great sense of wealth on Kauai. Zuckerberg has an estate near here and there are locations where they have to build housing for teachers so they can afford to teach in the local schools. There are also folks we see sleeping on a local soccer field each day because that is what they have. Zuckerberg wanted to dredge a path through the coral reef so boats could land near his estate, but local officials, no matter the gifts to local causes, would not allow this to happen. 

I don't have the attitude that such is life. Income inequalities are a serious problem in our country and things are getting worse rather than better. 

Groundskeepr's Craft

 

The vegetation here is dense and grows quickly. Being a groundskeeper seems a common profession and several different individuals work within this complex constantly. One thing I have noticed about their work is how aggressively they trim things and the reaction of the plants indicates this is what needs to be done. These two trees or bushes were just cut back and I can no longer identify them. The plant identification app I use is also perplexed. 

I did figure out what the trees were by using an app to identify a different tree. It is a Sago Palm.

Big Wave Day

 We were warned that the waves were going to be big today. Zero chance I would have been in the water under any condition. We are located on the northwest portion of Kauai and the warning was for us although the Northern point is where the largest waves typically are seen. 12-16 feet is big, but it is difficult to judge from the beach just if you are looking at something that large. 

For those who have visited us here, the following video was taken directly in front of our location. The waves were bigger at the second location, but I included this video because I think you can see some rip tide moving from right to left. The second video is from a different beach. Double-click on any image for a full-sized view.

Hanalei Wildlife Refuge

 

We are in Kauai this year in very unusual times. We were here at the end of the Biden term in office and for the beginning of the Trump administration. The early days of the Trump administration have been chaotic with many executive orders and the firing of many Federal employees. Without knowing what lays ahead in the next few days, it is worth preserving some of the experiences.

We stay in Princeville which is on the edge of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge. A few days ago I posted an image taken from the overlook with a comment about the concern of those working at the refuge because of cutbacks. Cuts were made.  I posted something about the cuts to Facebook and had some unusual reactions. One claimed wetlands didn't need to be managed.

Just for the record, we took a quick trip into the reserve today by car. No use of the hiking trails to take a few images. These are multi-use facilities that preserve the natural resources but also serve the recreational interests of locals and tourists and in the case of this space offers small fields for locals who want to raise taro. This plant has special meaning to native Hawaiians and has some commercial value. The water suppresses competing weed growth and serves as habitat for birds.

Aflac is still here

 Snow Geese do not migrate near Kauai, but one has somehow shown up here. Each year I wonder if Alfac has survived. Cindy does not think my prediction that Aflac has not survived the year is funny, but he/she has finally appeared and I managed to get a photo as I walked the trail past the golf course. 

Of course, Aflac was named for the television, insurance goose. He/She has been accepted by the NeNes so is among friends and somehow has survived now through several of our visits. I try to get a photo and here is the closest I have come this year,

Trump Cuts

 I happened on this description of cuts to federal workers on Kauai. We see one of these locations daily. 

Candy Hearts

 

The days after Valentine's Day is an opportunity to pick up some inexpensive candy. We visited several stores looking for one thing - candy hearts. This was it. There were two boxes and I bought one - half priced. There were all kinds of traditional candies trying to cash in on Valentine's Day, but a Reeses peanut better co\up in the shape of a smashed heart is still a peanut butter cup. I was looking for the large sized hearts because they are not as soft as these small ones, but these will have to do.  

Painter

 

I took this photo through the car window. Cindy slowed down and I was lucky there was no one behind us. I did cheat a bit and used Apple's magic eraser tool to remove a safety cone that protected the parking zone beside the road. 

Pho is not Chicken Soup

 I have not posted for a few days. Cindy and I have been sick so we weren't out and about and I had little to desxribe. Cindy had the flu. I had a skin rash that I have had several times in Kauai. The heat and humidity make the rash irritated and seem to make it spread. I finally went to Urgent Care and now have some medications that should help. The rash is evidently a relative of diaper rash as one of the salves can be used to treat either. I just made that up.

I have seen docs at small clinics when this has happened before, but when I tried one of these clinics I was told they were not seeing new patients. I am actually an old patient, but that probably isn't that funny. I did learn something that amazed Cindy. I really didn't understand that urgent care and emergency rooms are for different things. Urgent care is for those who can't get in to see docs because of issues and situations like mine. You probably understood this, but I have lived a sheltered life and some things just were not obvious to me. This is one of the reasons everyone should travel if possible because you learn new things. Medical situations are not the intended experiences, but things happen.

Anyway, we had to make a trip to the drug store and decided to have Pho because we were in the right place and had not visited our "where the locals eat" place this trip. Pho is a noodle soup and quite filling for the price. Last visit I tried what turned out a homemade vinegar and peppers concoction that I was curious about and found I really liked. Very local. The side dish is chicken.