Today’s adventure was a walk with a Meetup group from Sontag Park to Long Lake (the western end of the Centennial Trail).

Today’s adventure was a hike up Rathdrum Mountain in Idaho with my friend Dan.

Today’s adventure started with a visit to Wailua Falls. The parking gods smiled on us again and we got a space right away.

Then we visited Ninini Lighthouse.

We met friends for lunch nearby at Hualani’s.

We caught a stunning sunset on our way to dinner.

Cats and chickens regular, but uninvited, guests at breakfast in the courtyard of the hotel. This morning peahens and peacocks joined us as well.

Today’s adventure was a drive to the north end of the island. Highlights of the drive:

Craft fair at Anaina Hou Community Park

Hanalei Valley Lookout

Hanalei Bay

Lumahai Beach

Maniniholo Dry Cave

Haena Beach

Kilauea Lighthouse

On the drive back to the highway we came upon a family of Nene and Red-crested Cardinal .

This morning’s adventure was a visit to Waimea Canyon.

Signs said it was closed, but the Waimea Canyon Lookout was open after all.

Kalalau Lookout provided our first view of the Na Pali coast.

Our final stop was Puu Ka Pele Lookout at the end of the road.

Our next adventure was a visit to Kilohana Plantation that started with a ride on the train.

We saw an Imu ceremony – opening the dirt oven.

The evening ended with a luau.

It took two attempts to get to Kauai yesterday – we were diverting to Honolulu because of rain. But the weather today was fine.

After breakfast we drove to Kapa’a for a Chocolate Farm tour at tasting at Lydgate Farms. The 47 acre farm has over 2500 cacao trees, plus vanilla vines, fruit trees, flowering trees, palms and bamboo.

Vanilla beans are the fruit of an orchid. The flowers are pollinated by hand using a toothpick.

Views from the tour.

The highlight was the chocolate tasting where we learned about processing the fruit into chocolate.

Kapa’a and Alakoko fish pond.

We are between storms, so I was able to get out on the trail again today.

I was able to walk a few miles on the trail during a reprieve from the storm.

My buddy Dan and I drove to Farragut State Park to hike by the lake and look for eagles.

We had rain and snowed here last night. It was cold, but clear this morning for our walk.

I started the day as an elf at Santa Express. For over 30 years, Santa Express has matched elves with children 3 to 12 to buy and wrap presents for friends and family members. Elves are provided a list of names and ages and a budget. All money raised goes to a children’s charity.

Tonight we joined Frontrunners to experience Winterglow Spectacular in Kendall Yards.

We are in between storms, so it seemed like a good day to check out the dams on the Spokane River in Post Falls. I started with North Channel Dam in Post Falls Park.

Next I went to Q’emiln Park and hiked to the South Channel and Middle Channel Dams.

I started the day with a quick walk in Kendall Yards.

The joined Frontrunners for a walk through Riverfront Park.

After coffee hour, a few of us headed to the mall for BrrZaar – an arts and crafts market.

Today I took advantage of a break in the weather to cover miles 37 to 40 Centennial Trail.

My friend Dan and I volunteered at a mobile food bank today.

This morning I joined a Meetup group at Glen Tana Conservation Area for a hike up to Rattlesnake Ridge. Although the forecast was 50% chance of snow late in the afternoon, we had a light snow on the hike.

By late afternoon we had a good coating of snow.

Kendall Yards decorations.

Olmsted Brothers Park decorations.

Turn out for this morning’s Frontrunners walk was good in spite of temperatures below freezing.

A crisp, but dry morning on the Centennial Trail.

Cemetery Turkeys

My luck is holding out – another nearly perfect day for walking on the Centennial Trail. Today I covered miles 24-28 and I’m out of the city and back into nature.

Lucked out again – no rain during today’s hike in Liberty Lake.