Maybe a year or so ago, I found some cheap tickets to Hawaii on Google Flights.  We literally took an online quiz called “Which Hawaiian Island Would Be Best For You To Visit?”  That lead us to Kauai.  We trusted the quiz, and I’m SO glad we did.

In October, we flew with 6 month old Luke to Kauai.  Colton woke up the day of the flight with a nasty cold.  It was actually his birthday the day before we left as well.  We always go somewhere during Fall and Spring Break.  Unfortunately, that means planning far in advance, and we weren’t about to cancel after having a baby and a cold at the same time.  I was determined…and really, really excited.  Neither of us had ever been to Hawaii, and we had always talked about going together.  When we found out that it would be affordable for us to go, we hopped on the opportunity.

Luke was amazing on the flight.  Colton felt awful, but Luke cooperated and slept most of the way.  Nursing during take off and touch down really works wonders for the little’s ears.  We landed in Kauai late.  I love landing in a new area at night because waking up and seeing the views the next morning is incredible.

We were staying on the North Shore (in Princeville).  I would stay there again in a heartbeat.  It was much quieter than the east, close to the Napali, and much more lush and green.  We were about a mile away from the Queen’s Bath hike, which we ended up doing three times during our stay.  We are pretty experienced hikers, but hiking in these conditions was much different.  I LOVED IT.  Give me alllll the Hawaiian mud on my feet. It’s like a free spa treatment.

Colton and I gifted ourselves a day on the Napali Coast.  We rode on a raft (similar to the ones used by Navy Seals) for 5 hours along the coast, swam in the clearest water I’ve ever seen, and snorkeled.  The pictures don’t do it justice.  The water was clear and turquoise blue.  The mountains were incredibly majestic, tall, and bright green.  The conditions were harsh, but the ride was so therapeutic to me.  I felt so much gratitude.  I felt so small, but so grateful for this beautiful world God has given us to live in.  I have climbed to the top of Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, staring down 1,500 feet into red rocks and rivers.  I have stood at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula in Gijon, Spain, looking out into the ocean and green rolling hills.  I have hiked through El Yunque National Rainforest in Puerto Rico and marveled at the wildlife and luscious greenery around me.  I’ve been a lot of places and seen a lot of beautiful things, but I have never been to a place more beautiful than the Napali Coast.

It was the perfect day.  I love Colton because he’s always willing to adventure with me.  He and I connect the same way: experiences.  Being able to travel and experience the world together is the best gift I could ever receive.

Waimea Canyon…like the Grand Canyon of Hawaii.  Such an amazing view!  I wish that I understood the geology of this scene more than I do now.

Our last day in Kauai, we spent our time relaxing and snorkeling at Poipu Beach.  Colton and I swam with a sea turtle.  A real, live, wild sea turtle.  It was incredible.  I get chills just thinking about it.  It was the perfect way to end our trip.  Luke ended up loving the water and sand.  We all loved the calming sounds of the ocean that we never get to experience living in Utah.

Yeah, we are going back as soon as we can.