RANDY L. PHELPS
Here are some pictures from my trip to Kaua'i (the Na Pali Coast) in June, 2007.
In early June of 2007, after the American Astronomical Society meeting in Honolulu, I took a brief trip to Kaua'i for a whilwind tour of the Na Pali Coast. The limited time I had meant that I could only hike the popular, yet beautiful, first portion of the Kalalau Trail. However, I really came to do the so-called "Everest of Sea Kayaking" (OK, an exageration on their part to be sure!). However, National Geographic Adventure magazine rated this 17-mile kayak trip around the Na Pali Coast as America's "Number 2 Best Adventure" (after rafting the Grand Canyon) in their March/April millenium issue. Although the camera aboard the kayak was inferior to the one I had while hiking, you can still see it was a remarkable day on the Pacific. All in all, a great weekend! Here are some pictures...
Day 0.5: Arriving on Kaua'i and Hiking a Portion of the Kalalau Trail
The trail begins at He'ena State Beach
The crooked Na Pali Coast. Oh wait.... Crooked coast, not crooked picture!
This is why I came here!
Hanakapi'ai Beach below....and some warnings along the way!
Stranded on a desert island?
Aside from all the people here with me, it sure feels like it!
Don't forget to make time to stop and smell the flowers...
The three of us were very happy! ???
Day 2: Kayaking the 17 miles from Ha'ena to Polihale State Parks 
And so it begins...
My kayaking colleagues at sea...
and on land (left picture). The monk seals (middle picture, near the water) didn't pay our guide Steve (right picture, behind me), so they will have to find their own way!
Day 3: Leaving Kaua'i 
Coffee (pure Kona of course!) at sunrise before an early flight home.
Last Updated 05 June 2007.