Thursday, December 20, 2018

Western/Southern Texas, South Eastern New Mexico

Shortest Route Planner:


Dec 23
Houston


Dec 24
Austin
Start driving west


Dec 25
Drive west


Dec 26
Big Bend National Park


Dec 27
Guadalupe Mountains National Park


Dec 28
White Sands National Monument
Opportunistic option: Ski Apache & Ski Cloudcroft are Ski areas nearby. Nearby Lincoln National Forest has snowshoeing options.


Dec 29
Carslbad Caverns National Park
Start driving back


Dec 30
Keep driving back


Dec 31
Padre Island National Seashore:
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge: view Whooping Cranes in winter, water activities
Stay in Corpus Christi


Jan 1
Galveston: Ferry to Port Bolivar
Beaumont: Gator Country, Botanical Gardens
Drive to Houston


Jan 2
Drop off van in Houston.
Visit NASA.


Jan 3
Houston to Austin.

Jan 4

Fly back

Friday, April 06, 2018

Kauai-trip planning

* Sun
   * 580 (Eastside)
      * Wailua River
      * Opaekaa Falls
         * Two miles up Kuamoo Road
         * Poliahu Heiau (en-route)
      * Keahua Arboretum (Free)
         * Powerline trail to Hanalei
            * Kapakaiki falls & Kapakanui Falls to the right
            * head up kuamoo rd, pass the Wailua reservoir, go to the arboretum, park
         * Kuilau Ridge & Moalepe Trails
            * 4.5 miles, 3 hrs
            * Right of Kuamoo rd
            * Popular with horseback riders
         * Swimming pool trail
            * Follow gravel rd across stream
            * Stick to main rd for 4 miles for 4wd, but ok for 2wd, keep left at for, go past gate or park, go past 2nd gate
      * Wailua Falls (Rainy day)
         * Maalo Rd: 4 miles
   * Ho’opi’i Hoopii Falls
      *  2.2 miles
      * Trailhead at Kawaiho Road from Kuhio Highway
      * Right turn onto kapahi Road, look for the yellow metal post On the left at the trailhead, see dirt full of sport that fits about 3 cars
      * N end of kapaa, ¼ mile past last lookout, take side rd Kawaihau for 3 miles, rt on kapahi rd, look for yellow gate on left
   * Ninini point lighthouse
   * Wailua to Kapaa: Sleeping giant: Kuhio Highway around mile marker 7
   * Lydgate Beach Park (kids)
      * Kamalani Playground
* Mon
   * Kauai Hindu monastery/Shiva temple/San Marga Iraivan Kovil
      * 808-822-3012 9/10:30-noon, Puja every 3 hrs, free guided tours
      * Pihanakalani (where heaven touches the earth)
      * Carry umbrella (very rainy)
   * Wailua River
      * Kayak
         * Wailua River Guides ($85/75): $90 (7 am), $70 (12:30)
         * Alii Kayaks: 8:30,9,10,10:30: $55
         * Kayak Kauai: $85/60: 7:45, 9, 12:15
         * Outfitters Kauai: $112/92
      * Kamokila Hawaiian village: 9-5, $5/3
      * Uluwehi Falls/Secret Falls hike
      * Fern grotto
         * Smith’s Motor Boats ($25/13) 10% online discount, 9:30, 11, 2, 3:30, hula show. 90 mins, 2 miles round trip.
      * Wailua Beach
   * Smith’s Tropical Paradise ($6/3)
   * Kilahona Plantation (Free, attractions-tickets)
      * Kauai Plantation Railway train
         * $20/15, 10-2 hourly
   * Grove farm ($20/10), Mon, Wed, Thu, 10 am/1pm
      * Homestead museum
   * Kauai museum ($15/$10) Rainy day
   * Kauai Backcountry adventures: Tubing through aqueducts
      * https://kauaibackcountry.com/tubing/
   * Steelgrass Farm (Chocolate tour)
      * $75 adults, children free: 3 hour tour
   * Nounou Mountain East Trail (1000 ft elevation, 4 miles)
      * Kipuni Place: Sleeping Giant Viewpoint pull-off
      * East side begins off Haleilo Rd, don’t go left at 0.5 miles, stick to the east trail at 1.5 miles, next take left at the main fork to picnic table. Remaining trail only for experts.
   * Kuamoo Nounou trail
      * 2 miles 1 way 800 ft elevation
      * Fit family, 2 hrs
      * Starts at wooden bridge over Opaekaa stream
      * Trailhead at Kuamoo Road after opaekaa Falls
   * Nou-nou Mountain West Trail
      *  1.5 miles long and 1 hour, shorter & steeper
   * Kealia Beach Park
   * Paliku (Donkey) Beach
   * Kalapaki Beach
      * Nawiliwili Bay
   * Ke Ala Hele Makalae boardwalk
      * Kapaa Beach Park (Lihi Boat Ramp) to Paliku (Donkey) Beach-Ahihi Point: 5 miles
   * Huleia River
      * Kayaking
         * Outfitters Kauai-motorized return canoe: $112/92: 8:45, kayak+hike
         * Island Adventures: kayak, hike two waterfalls, wet rappel down waterfall
   * Haula Beach
   * Anahola Beach Park
      * Aliomanu Beach
   * Poipu:
      * Aim for sunset
      * Poipu Beach Park
      * Allerton Gardens ($50 adults, $25 kids 6-12) (9-3 hourly, 10%discount on website)
         * Lawai Kai beach
      * McBryde Garden ($30/15) 9:30-5, take tram: last tram 3:30
      * Baby Beach/Fuji Beach
         * Waipouli Beach Park
      * PK’s
      * Lawai beach
      * Keiki beach
      * Lawai bay
      * Old Koloa Town
         * Tree Tunnel
      * Spouting Horn Park
      * Prince Kuhio Park
         * Hoai Helu
      * Koloa Landing
      * Moir Pau a Laka Kiahuna Plantation complex (Free) cactus flower garden, pond, orchids
      * Shipwreck Beach
      * Kukuiolono Park (golf course, Japanese garden)
      * Kauai Coffee company
      * Brennecke’s Beach
      * Omao rd playground
      * Waiohai beach
   * Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail (Can be driven)
      * Start seaview Terrace
      * Makawehi Point
      * Poipu Bay Golf Course
      * Makauwahi Cave
      * Makauwahi Sinkhole
      * Mahaulepu Beach
         * Potholes & ruts, drive slowly
         * Watch for whales from land
         * Gillin’s beach
      * Kawailoa Bay
      * Labyrinth at Momilani Kai
      * Haula Beach
   * Kalaheo
      * Lawai International Center: Hawaiian Japanese temple
* Tue
   * Drive
      * Tree Tunnel to Lawai
         * Tree Tunnel along Maluhia Rd / Tunnel of trees in Koloa
         * Koloa Bypass Rd
         * Koloa Sugar Mill
            * Koloa Sugar Plantation
         * Puu Hi
         * Ala Kalanikaumakai bypass
         * Lawai
      * Waimea Canyon Drive
         * Hanapepe
         * Hwy 550
         * Waipoo Falls
         * Waimea Canyon Lookout (between markers 10 & 11)
         * Puu Hinahina Lookout (between markers 13 & 14)
         * Kokee State Park
            * Cloud forest, new climate zone, largest swamp in Hawaii-Alakai Swamp, cold (sweater recommended)
         * Kokee Natural History Museum
            * Nature walk: 0.1 mile
         * Kalalau Lookout: 2 miles above Kokee lodge
         * Puu o Kila Lookout
         * Waimea
      * Koloa Heritage trail
   * Day outing
      * Kukui O Lono
      * National Tropical Botanical Garden
      * Spouting Horn
      * Poipu Beach
      * Poipu Beach Park
      * Mahaulepu Beach
      * Sunset at Kukuiula Small Boat Harbor
      * Raining? Poncho & go to Allerton Garden/McBryde garden
   * Waimea Canyon state park
      * Waimea Canyon Dr & Kokee Rd, on the way back: Kekaha
      * Highway 550
      * Waimea Canyon Trail (kid friendly)
         * Park at top of Halemanu Valley Road between markers 14 & 15 on Waimea Canyon Rd, 1 mile from the museum
         * Park at Puu Hinahina Lookout between mile markers 13 & 14
         * Trail ends at Kumuwela Lookout, head back on Canyon trail or Kumuwela Rd
         * 3.5 mile round trip
         * Hike to Waipoo Falls
      * Waipoo Falls Hike
         * Drive up Kokee Road (hwy 550) to Puu Hina Hina Outlook, ¼ miles past the lookout, near NASA satellite tracking station on the right, a 2 lane dirt-road to Waipoo Falls trailhead
         * 3 hour round-trip
      * Iliau Nature Loop (0.3 mile) Mile 9 on Hwy 550
         * Kokee rd: beginning of Kukui trail, between mile markers 8 & 9
      * AwaAwapuhi Trail & Nualolo Trail (10 hours, 14 miles)
      * Awaawapuhi Trail
         * 3.25 miles 1 way, 6.5 miles round-trip, 6 hours, 1600 foot drop
         * Option of connecting to Nualalo Trail (3.75 miles) on the way back
      * Cliff, Canyon & Halemanu-Kokee Trails (4.6 miles 4 hours)
         * Halemanu-Kokee Trail
            * Easy to moderate 2.5 mile round-trip
            * Trailhead near mile marker 15: Faye trail leads to this trail
      * Koaie Canyon Trail (3 mile one way to south side of canyon)
         * Serious hike from the end of the Kukui trail
      * Kukui Trail (2000 ft 2.5 miles)
      * Kukui o lono park-Japanese gardens
      * Puu Ki-Waialae Trail (11 mile-1 way)
      * Kumuwela Trail: 1.6 mi round trip, 1 hr, trail at Kumuwela rd at end of trail
      * Lookouts
         * Waimea Canyon Drive Lookout 1
         * Kumuwela Lookout
         * Waipoo Falls Lookout
         * Waimea Canyon Drive Lookout 2
         * Puu Hinahina Lookout
         * Waimea Canyon Lookout
   * Kokee State Park
      * Nu’alolo Trail (tough)
      * Awa’awapuhi Trail (hard-earned views)
      * Pihea Trail connecting to Alaka’i Swamp trail: boardwalk to Mt Wai’ale’ale (wettest place) (Strenuous 7.5 mile round-trip)
         * Pihea Trail: Flat but strenuous. Trail begins at end of Hwy 550 at Puu O Kila Lookout. Intersects with Alakai Swamp Trail. 4 hours total.
         * Alakai Swamp Trail: Trailhead off Mohihi (Camp 10) Road, just beyond the Forest Reserve entrance sign & Alakai Shelter picnic area. Trail follows old 4WD road. Prepare for rain.
      * Black Pipe Trail (0.5 mile)
      * Puu Ka Ohelo Berry Flat Trail loop
         * (2 miles one-way)
         * Start at Puu Ka Ohelo trailhead near cabins, ¼ mile up road off Camp 10-Mohihi Rd, hike clockwise
      * Poomau Canyon Ditch Trail (4 strenuous miles round-trip)
         * .5 mi past Berry Flat trail
      * Kawaikoi Stream Trail (Easy 1.8 mile loop)
      * Cliff trail: Off Halemanu rd: 10 mins
      * Kaluapuhi Trail
         * 4 miles
         * From Kokee museum, drive 1.9 mi north on Rt 550. Small pull-out on the right side of the road. Ends .25 miles past the Kalalau Lookout
      * Lookouts
         * AwaAwapuhi Lookout (end of AwaAwapuhi Trail)
         * Puu o Kila Lookout
         * Kalalau Lookout
         * Lolo Vista Point
         * Pihea Lookout
         * Kilohana Lookout
   * Port Allen
      * Glass Beach
         * Glass Beach overlook
      * Na pali coast
         * Holo Holo: $190/125
         * Catamaran kahanu: $150
         * Kauai sea tours: $160
   * Polihale State Park
      * Hwy 50 becomes a dirt track for 4 miles, may not be able to take the car
      * Sunset
   * Hanapepe
      * Salt Pond Beach Park
      * Swinging Bridge
      * Hanapepe Valley Lookout
      * Pakala’s (Beach): Infinities wave
      * Kukiolono park
      * Kauai Coffee company (Free)
         * Visitor center & museum
   * Kekaha Beach Park
      * Barking Sands Beach
      * Queen’s pond
* Wed
   * Day outing
      * Glass Beach
      * Waimea Canyon State Park overlook
      * Kalalau/Puu O Kila Overlooks
      * Polihale State Park
      * Queen’s pond
      * Rainy? Hanapepe, boardwalk
   * National Tropical Botanical Garden
      * Allerton & McBryde
   * Waimea Town
      * West Kauai Technology & Visitor Center: Free
      * Russian Fort Elisabeth (Elizabeth) State Historical Park: Free
      * Captain cook monuments
      * Walking tour
         * 3 hour guided tour on Mondays
      * Kiki a Ola (Menehune Ditch)
      * Lucy Wright beach park
      * Boats
         * Na Pali Explorer: $140/120
         * Liko Kauai: $140/95
   * Nualolo Kai archaelogical tour via boat from Waimea
      * Kauai Sea Tours
      * Captain Andy’s Sailing Adventures
      * Na Pali Explorer (Beach only)
   * Drive
      * 540 instead of 50
         * Halewili Road
         * Eleele
      * Alekoko Menehune Fishpond Detour overlooking Lihue
         * Kalapaki Beach: Surfing
         * Niumalu Rd
         * Nawiliwli Harbor
         * Niumalu
         * Hulemalu Rd
         * Alekoko Menehune Fishpond Overlook
         * Old Hulamulu Rd
         * Kipu Rd
         * Hwy 50
   * Hike Lihue’s hidden beaches
      * Start Duke’s on Kalapaki Beach
      * Hokuala Resort
      * Kukui Point lighthouse
      * Running waters beach
         * Tidepools
      * Ninini Beach
      * Stay on shoreline trail
      * Ninini point lighthouse
   * Watch Free Hula at Coconut Market Place 4-484 Kuhio Hwy (Hwy 56) between mile markers 6 & 7, Kapaa: Wednesday 6 PM & Saturday 1 PM
* Thu
   * Drive
      * Hanalei to Haena
         * Hanalei
         * Kuhio Hwy
         * Lumahai
            * Lumahai Beach
         * Haena
         * Limahuli Garden
         * Haena State Park
      * Kuhio
         * Kilauea Point NWR
         * Kilauea Lighthouse
         * Kauapea (Secrets) Beach
         * Kilauea
            * Moloaa sunrise fruit stand
         * Princeville
         * Hanalei NWR
         * Hariguchi Rice Mill
         * Hanalei Valley Lookout/overlook
            * Hwy 560
         * Sealodge beach
         * Hanalei Bridge
         * Hanalei River
         * Hanalei Buffalo Ranch
         * Hanalei Beach/bay
         * Lumahai Beach
         * Tunnels Beach
         * Haena Beach Park
         * Maniniholo Dry Cave
         * Kee Beach
            * Snorkel
         * Wet Caves
            * Waikapalae
               * Peer
               * Short, steep, slippery trek
            * Waikanaloa
         * Kaulu Paoa Heiau temple & Kaulu O Laka Heiau
   * Na Pali Coast
      * Kalalau Trail
         * Park at end of rd at Kee beach, overflow lot up the rd
         * Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Beach (2 miles one-way)
            * Hiking shoes, insect repellent, 1st mile all uphill-400 ft, then downhill.
         * Hanakapaiai Beach to Hanakapiai Falls
            * 2 miles
            * If stream is low, cross. Else turn back.
         * Hanakapiai beach to hanakoa
            * 4.5 mi, 3 hrs
         * Hanakoa to Kalalau beach
            * 5 mi, 3 hrs
         * Hanakapiai Beach to Kalalau Valley (strenuous)
            * 2 days
         * Honopu, Nualolo, Kai, Miloli
            * Continue for serious hikers
   * Hanalei Bay
      * Black Pot Beach Park (surfers & kayakers)
         * Walk
      * Okolehao Trail (steep, 2.5 mile ½ day hike)
      * Wai Koa Loop Trail (flat 5 miles, 3 hours)
      * Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge Lookout
         * Hoopulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill Tour ($87/52), 11-3: Mon-Fri
         * Cross 1st 1-ln bridge into hanalei, lrft onto Ohiki rd
   * Day trip
      * Kilauea Point NWR
      * Anini Beach
      * Hanalei Valley Overlook
      * Hanalei River/Bay
      * Tunnels Beach
      * Maniniholo Dry Cave
      * Waikapalae Wet Cave
      * Kee Beach
   * Kalihiwai Valley
   * Kalihiwai Beach
      * Kayaking
   * Anini Beach Park
      * Swimming/snorkelling
   * Lumahai Beach
   * Limahuli Garden ($20/10, $40-guided)
   * Kilauea Point national wildlife refuge-lighthouse
      * 10 am-4 pm
   * Na aina Kaina Botanical Gardens ($35: 1.5 hours-85: 5 hours)-kids, Tue-Fri; 8-12: Mon
   * Kauapea (Secrets) Beach
      * Walk to Kahili (Rock Quarry) Beach
   * Haena Beach Park
   * Kee Beach (See sunset if possible)
   * Waioli Beach Park
   * Kahili (Rock Quarry) Beach
   * Makua (Tunnels) Beach (Surfers)
   * Shipwreck Beach (Surfers)
      * Makawehi Point
   * Hanalei Valley Lookout/overlook
   * Pali Ke Kua (Hideaways) Beach
   * Hanalei
      * Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park
      * Middles Beach
      * Waioli (Pine Trees) Beach Park
      * Waikoko Beach
      * Hanalai Beach Park
      * Hike
         * Okolehao trail
            * 1.5 hr, 2.3 mi
            * 1200 ft gain
            * Turn left after 1 lane bridge into hanalei onto ohiki rd
   * Kilauea
      * Larsens Beach
      * Secret Beach
      * Kahili/Quarry Beach
      * Hiking
         * Secret Beach tidepool
            * ½ mile 1 hr
            * Northern end of beach at bottom of trail, head over to rocks, climb 10 ft cliff or end over water, stick to trail high on the wall, see multiple tidepools
            * Climb another 7 ft cliff, see waterfall. Rocks are slippery, be careful.
            * Alternately, take the 1st Kalihiwai rd, pass secret beach, stop at the yellow fire hydrant, trail to top of waterfall-10 mins, shorter and safer
   * Kalihiwai
      * Kalihiwai Beach
      * Anini Beach
         * Anini Beach Park
      * Wyllie Beach
   * Princeville
      * SeaLodge Beach
         * Near SeaLodge condos at the end of Kamehameha Road, park at unmarked stalls towards the top of the parking lot
         * Dirt trail past stream, keep left once you reach the ocean
      * Queen’s Bath
         * Right on Punahele rd, 2nd right on Kapiolani loop
         * Parking lot on left hand corner
         * Access trailhead
      * Hideaways Beach/Pali Ke Kua
         * Short hike but requires agility & balance, tough for young children
      * Puu Poa Beach
         * Park at small parking area by guardhouse
      * Powerline trail to Keahua arboretum
      * Princeville ranch adventures
         * Ride horse to kalihiwai falls
   * Hanalei
      * Hanalei Bay
         * Queen reef, King reef
         * Black Pot Beach Park
         * Hanalei Pavilion
         * Hanalei pier
         * Pine Trees surf spot
      * Waikoko Beach
         * West end of Hanalei Bay
   * End of the road
      * Lumahai Beach
      * Tunnels/Makua Beach
      * Haena Beach Park
      * Kee Beach
         * 2 mile hike to Hanakapiai Beach
         * 4 more miles to Hanakoa Beach, with falls
         * 5 more miles to Kalalau Beach
         * Swim to Honopu Beach!
   * Hanalei river
      * Kayak Kauai $110/100-guided
* Fri


Food:
* http://realkauai.com/FarmersMarkets/
* https://www.himalayanacademy.com/visit/dining