4th of July in Kauai: Part 1

Beware! You are in for a semi-picture heavy post. This was the 4th of July, the day before our one year anniversary. We decided it would be fantastic to visit Waimea Canyon (aka the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) to celebrate.



On the way up to the canyon, I noticed this waterfall in the red dirt. It was so random and strangely beautiful.



Then we got to our first lookout. We walked around a lot so we wore our running shoes and I carried my Nike + with me to track our mileage.



Holy crap. I was not prepared for this kind of beauty.





Andy ditched those Target brand sunglasses a day later. Buyer beware. $10 sunglasses don't last long.



The island of Niihau is 17 miles southwest of Kauai and we were able to take a peek.





Barely there but we saw it.



Then came the second lookout.



What a stunner. Oops...I mean...







There was a lot of driving involved between stopping to look at different things so we snacked on these addicting Maui Onion chips. I know they sell them on the mainland but I never buy them. Only in Hawaii!





The Na Pali cliffs are stunning from this angle. I wish we could have seen them from the ocean!





Andy was brave enough to get close to the edge. I was semi-freaking out.



I am unnaturally scared of heights and ducked down low to avoid feeling dizzy. Don't laugh. Okay. Laugh if you must but don't come crying to me when you're stuck in a glass elevator on the 20th floor of a high building. (Story for another time.)



Doesn't this look scream, "I just invaded your land!" Totally.



This look screams wistful and serene Andrew.



Once we got down, we stopped at Island Taco. I read reviews on Yelp and decided we should split an order of kalua pork tacos.



They were huge and stuffed with salty pulled pork and crunchy cabbage. We each ate one taco.



And split an order of coconut shrimp.



From Shrimp Station which is right across the street from Island Taco. I highly recommend both! The shrimp was very delicious albeit a little greasy. They had some grilled shrimp options also.



And it's a shack. A tiny little hole in the wall. Food always tastes better from smaller places like this.

After lunch, we headed back to Poipu to change clothes and see Spouting Horn.





Needless to say, it was STUNNING!



Not unlike this young man here.



I rewore the same dress twice. Shame on me.



We decided that the 4th of July requires some alcoholic beverages. In the form of tiki drinks. Andy and I started with Mai Tais.



The bartender made me a red, white and blue pina colada. It was surprisingly refreshing and not too sugary sweet. I loved it.



Then came Hula Pie! If you have ever been to a Duke's restaurant, then you have had Hula Pie. It's macadamia nut ice cream, fudge, whipped cream and bliss in pie form. Very indulgent and very delicious. (This explains why I gained weight in Kauai...)



Afterwards we walked to the beach closest to our condo and watched some fireworks.





Fireworks on the beach? Pretty fantastic.



Next up: Our one year wedding anniversary in paradise.