On our recent trip to Kauai, my husband had the brilliant idea to drive to the western most part of the Island to watch the sunset. Polihale State Park is located just a mile or two up the road from the Pacific Missile Range Facility where we were staying, so I was game.
Once we reached the turn off, it was a 4.8 mile drive on a dirt road riddled with pot holes. Big ones. After driving past a rear bumper and a muffler lying in the middle of the road, I said nothing. He swerved from one side of the road to the other in order to miss the deepest craters, teetering on the precipice of a deep ravine alongside the road.
And still I said nothing (except my prayers).
But when we passed a pickup truck with a bunch of locals standing in the bed of the truck toting hunting rifles, I finally spoke. “Um, honey, are you sure it’s safe out here?” “Oh, come on,” he said, “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
My daughter in the back seat chimed in. “Yeah, come on, you only live once you know.” “Maybe, but that’s no guarantee it’s going to be a long one,” I said. “I mean, have you ever seen an episode of Hawaii 5-0? Pasty white Hauloe’s like us get killed every week!”
“Well, you can always blog about it,” my husband said. My eyes widened and a slow smile tugged at my mouth. “Okay,” I said quietly.
With five minutes to spare before the sun actually set we reached the end of the road. As we began to climb the sand dune that would deliver us to our fate, I noticed a rather large footprint in the sand.

I looked nervously at my husband. “Sasquatch,” he said and our eyes met. But when we crested the dune and took in the sight before us, all thoughts of becoming the next victim to be sacrificed to the volcano evaporated.

Three minutes and plenty of mosquito bites later, the light show was over and all my fears had melted into the sea.
If you’re ever on Kauai, buy yourself a kidney belt and check this place out. It is truly one of Kauai’s hidden treasures.
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Tags: things to do in Kauai, Kauai’s best kept secrets, Kauai hidden treasures, sasquatch, you only live once
Paisley Kirkpatrick
I had to laugh while reading this out loud to my hubby. Talk about showing and not telling – this was great, Suzanne. I really have no desire to visit Hawaii, but feel like I experience a touch of the adventure with you. Hubby shook his head remembering some of the sheep trails he drove in Scotland. Now he says those bumpy roads can easily be found right here in our own backyard. Glad you enjoyed the adventure and lived through it to do a blog. 🙂
Suzanne Vince
Sheep trails, what fun! I love exploring, and even more now that I’m blogging. Seems like everything is an adventure. 🙂
Melissa Lewicki
Great entry! We have been on many “iffy” roads in our travels. So far, we have survived them all. Getting lost as often as we do means we have seen so much more of the world than most people…
Suzanne Vince
Absolutely! Sometimes you can find some real treasures by getting lost (of course other times, not so much).
Patricia
Sounds like my drive home every night. Ha.
The photo is lovely. So glad you didn’t get killed.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
gretchenwing
Hahahaha! I love that your husband has clued into your blogging as a way to get you to experience things. Sure adds a new filter on life, don’t it? Great post.
Karen McFarland
Suzanne, I must say that your husband has a great sense of humor girl. And so glad you were able to get away as a family and enjoy all that nature has to offer. What a gorgeous sunset! You deserve it! 🙂
Suzanne Vince
Thanks, Karen. Been thinking about you lately and here you are 🙂
Jason Andrew Bond
Suzanne,
Another winning post! I too am learning to let go and be more adventurous. It can be difficult to face your fears and go out into the wild. There can be consequences, but most of the time the world is very rewarding!
Suzanne Vince
Thanks, Jason!