Sarah..."yes" to both!

Agree with 'hats rec on Waimea Plantation Cottages.

The Manager of our fave little hovel was transferred there and wanted us to stay there for a few days.
Sadly, we never took him up on it and now he's retired.
Nice little place and the cottages were pretty nice.
And it's right next door to Waimea Brew Co!!!! Ahi wraps and kalua pork nachos!!!

Cali, the wraps and kalua nachos are 2 reasons why Mrs Kal and I have never had the chili/cornbread at Kokee or JoJo's shaved ice. =P~=P~

Can't do kalua pork nachos, but they sound yummy. Do they make kalua rooster for the Kosher Klub?
Daydreamin, there's another excellent (besides JoJo's) shave ice place, but not as much flavor variety. It's more centrally located--a little stand in the north end of Kapaa. The young guy who runs it is such a sweet person. He stands in front of a food market (not the Safeway--it's north of there but on same side of the road). Will try to find name and exact location, or maybe some of the Kauai regulars will know where I mean.

Some of my favorite memories of my trip to Kauai are:
1}Smelling the fragrant tropical flowers as we walked through Honolulu airport to board Island Air to Kauai.
2}Waking up in the morning after our night arrival and seeing for the first time our magnificent view from our Lanai. It took my breath away.
3}Floating around the pool on a blow up raft, hearing the ocean a few yards away, looking up at palm trees and thinking "I can't believe I am in Kauai".
4}Talking with a local boy who works in the McDonalds in Kapaa. When he is 18 he wants to move to Honolulu where there is more action.
5]Talking with a local girl who works in the Red Dirt Shirt Shop in Waimea.
6}Getting shaved ice from JoJos.
7}Going on a short hike above Waimea canyon and getting red dirt imbedded in my Keen sandals.
8}Watching the sun set while my son fished off of the rocks near Anini beach.
9}Parking on the side of the road and walking down a dirt path to the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. Lumahai beach, the water is the most beautiful shade of turquoise.

Mahalo, everyone!

Sarah...that does sound wonderful! We're booked now, deposits made, leases signed but I'm saving your suggestions for another trip. And I'm with you, stargazing on the beach ...can't wait!

nmlhats...we checked out the WCC but finally decided on the north shore. Maybe another trip?!

CaliNurse....I've cut/pasted your suggestion to my Kauai folder and we'll definitely do that trip! Sounds great.

Jixiejo...what great memories! I can't wait to hit Lumahai beach. Question for you--were your Keen sandals good for hiking?

ahem....Kal - - how many days left?

Mahalo to everyone for sharing your great memories! ((R))

Yes, my Keen sandals were very good for hiking. They had a lot of traction and support but still were alot cooler than wearing socks and sneakers.

I used keen's this summer too but packed light hiking boots from some more arduous hikes. If you are going to be on an incline for a long period of time you might want something that supports your ankle.

I have Vasque light weight (mid height) hiking boots. I found my ankles wanting more on the awaphuawaphu trail this past July. They just seem to dig in at the lower height when you are not on a flat surface. I have used them on smoother hikes other trips and they worked well.

Maybe its about moving on in years because I used the same boots a few years earlier on the Kalalau trail and never regretted it. I am 45 though Sat so take that with my opinions.

Just my take.

daydreamin,

I used my Keen sandals for everything on this last trip. From walking to downtown Hanalei for dinner to doing the Kalalau to the Falls and back they functioned beautifully. Each time I return to Kaua'i, I pack one less pair of footwear it seems. I bought my Keens on sale at Norstrom on-line for $60.
Happy Planning.

-Bill

I loved my Keen's so much and the real icee loved his so much we both bought an extra pair while they were on sale!

Daydreamin and other Kauai travelers...the name of the above-mentioned outdoor shave ice stand nr a supermarket in Kapaa is Hawaiian Blizzard Shave Ice, and the sweet guy who runs it is Aaron. Here's the web site:
http://www.hawaiianblizzard.com/

It's yummy, and defintely the real thing! If in Kapaa --that great crossorads town in Kauai
(-: --and have shave ice craving on the drive between No. and So. sides of the island, this is the place to stop!

Also, for those who are keen on Keens, or any other favorite sandals, check www.zappos.com.
They often sell shoes and sandals at 50 % or more off list price, sometimes with free shipping.
I've bought a bunch of stuff from them and their customer service ( e.g. for returns for wrong size, look, etc)) has been excellent.

CaliNurse, isn't Zappo's just the best? I couldn't believe their customer service, and the deals they offer! :-)

Sierratradingpost.com is where I bought my keens for $50. Think they are still there at that price.

I'm putting on my Keen's in about 10 more mins and going to hit the gym.

Great for working out as they have the heavy duty rubber closed toe.
They wouldn't let me work out in my Chaco's, my 2nd fave sandal.

I love my Keen clogs and now I have a good excuse to buy some sandals! :-) I think Zappos knows me by name!

I may wear my "dressy" Keens in Y'ville for the GTG...with shorts, of course, Faina. ;)

I bought my Keens {Newport style} on sale in Nordstroms for 59.99. I love Zappos but the same pair is 90.00 on their website.

just an FYI Jx....I bought the newport style too on www.sierratradingpost.com for $49.

well 49.95 :-D
May have been the Jameston model in stone, lighter than what they have on there now. Good to know about zappos, I find what I want on there but never a great sale.

Should look before summer...

Sarah: Yeah, good and bad! I just bought two pair of keen sandals for the price of one at zappos! Just will need to wait for warm weather to wear them!

Thanks for the tip, you guys!

Belle

Kal, that's funny that you are going to wear your "dressy" Keens. The real icee and I joke around all the time asking each other if we are going to wear our "dress shoes"!

The last trip to Kauai, the lady in the shoe store in The Coconut Marketplace noticed we both had our Keen H2s on....and she showed us the leather Keens....and by damn...said...these are my husbands "dress" shoes....She was so serious...oh to live there and have leather Keens for dress shoes! I love it!((r)) i'2