As you’ve seen above, #preservethegood could mean anything – it could mean helping someone in a time of need; it could be picking up trash on a trail, or a wilderness area; it could be educating people on leave no trace principles; it could be making a difference in any way you want; and it could be just about anything you want as long as you are focused in keeping the magic and the unique positive things in this world and this life. In terms of tangible things, I encourage you, my readers and followers to use the hashtag when you post a photo of something amazing; or when you’re talking about something exceptional you – or someone else has done to improve the world. I look forward to seeing how all of you end up preserving the good in 2015, and you can rest assured that as always, I will keep preserving the good where I find it as well, because as Plato says, “Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.”
As I mentioned previously, Waimea Canyon is a site that is most definitely one of the “must-view” locations on Kauai, and in the world; and as I also mentioned, the best way to experience it is to hike it. While there are many great hikes through the canyon, the best hike in my book is the Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls. It is the best hike to me because at four miles roundtrip, it is accessible, it has stunning views of the canyon from inside the canyon, and it ends at the top Waipoo Falls. It also allows the hiker the chance to swim in a waterfall, which is a once in a lifetime experience.
While the entirety of the Eastern part of California is full of amazing places to adventure in, one of my favorite spots is the Mojave National Preserve. Like Death Valley, Mojave National Preserve has a number of different types of desert terrain – dunes, slot canyons, and long lost underground springs. It also has an area that can only be described as one thing and one thing only: a volcanic wasteland.
When is a secret not a secret? The answer is that a secret is not a secret when everyone knows about it. The perfect example of this precept is Uluwehi Falls, commonly known as the “secret falls” or the “sacred falls” of Kauai. Make no mistake about it: Uluwehi Falls is stunning. At slightly over on hundred feet, it is a beautiful example of a classic bridal-veil fall. In addition to the fall itself being stunning, it is surrounded by the calm, rustling jungle of the Wailua River State Park
Haena State Park in Kauai has a number of attractions, including the notorious Kalalau Trail. It also has a number of attractions that don't require as much effort, including Ke'e Beach, and the "wet" and "dry" caves - Waikanaloa and Maniniholo. Both of these caves are located immediately off of the main road; but only Maniniholo can be explored on foot. Although Waikanaloa is a sea cave it is full of fresh water, and is fed by an underground spring. Despite its pristine appearance, swimming in Waikanaloa is not recommended, as the water is contaminated with leptospirosis, a dangerous bacteria. Finally, both Waikanaloa and Maniniholo each have interesting mythological backgrounds, which you can read about here.
As I mentioned previously, Waimea Canyon is a site that is most definitely one of the “must-view” locations on Kauai, and in the world; and as I also mentioned, the best way to experience it is to hike it. While there are many great hikes through the canyon, the best hike in my book is the Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls. It is the best hike to me because at four miles roundtrip, it is accessible, it has stunning views of the canyon from inside the canyon, and it ends at the top Waipoo Falls. It also allows the hiker the chance to swim in a waterfall, which is a once in a lifetime experience.
Kauai has many stunning natural features, but the largest, and most spectacular is Waimea Canyon, otherwise known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. As the canyon is over fourteen miles long, and over 3,600 feet deep, it is definitely one of the geologic wonders of the world. The canyon was carved by the Waimea River, which has flowed down to the ocean from Mount Wai'ale'ale over thousands of years. (More information on the geologic history of Waimea Canyon is located here). In my opinion, visitors to Waimea Canyon, like the Grand Canyon should get out and explore the area on foot, but for those who either don't have the time, or the ability to do so, this overlook provides stunning views for everyone; and serves as a great panoramic vista even for people who plan on hiking.
If you like strange spots like Glass Beach, but think that Glass Beach is too mainstream for you, I have another strange and lost spot for you: the old McBryde Sugar Company Cemetery; or, as the Internet knows it the “Japanese cemetery” of Glass Beach. When I was exploring Glass Beach and looking at the various items I could find, I couldn’t help but notice that the hill above the beach had some unmistakable headstones planted on it
