Feb. 10, Tues.: high surf, no snorkeling :(

The forecast said high surf was coming in.  It wasn't apparent here on the Eastside.  The winds on the Eastside were way down, too.  But we soon found out it was windy up north and the surf was rolling.  We had to go north to go to the Wyndham timeshare "owners update" (sales pitch) which we signed up for.  Figured it was worth the $100 gift card to let them talk to us for an hour.  When you've been members as long as we have and know how to use the system, it's often amusing to hear what they have to say.  
On our way up there, I got this picture of the Olympic cafe.  Doesn't look like much, but that 2nd story open restaurant is cool.  

  We had a little extra time before our "update", so we drove by Anini thinking that we might be able to snorkel there later.  Wrong!---It was as rough as we've ever seen it and it was murky---not too noticeable from this photo.

On to Princeville to Wyndham Bali Hai---where the Wyndham presentations are done.  Much to our surprise, our updater looked at our paperwork and said, "Are you just here for the $100?"  We said, "Yes!"  To which he asked if we had any questions about our membership.  "No".  So he signed off on our paperwork and we were sent away to spend our $100.  Fastest we've ever gotten out of one of those---about 15 minutes!

  We knew the north beaches would be rough, so we headed back the other way.  Decided to stop at the lighthouse overlook.  Found out hubby's Senior National Parks Pass was good for going to the lighthouse, but there was a 15 minute wait just to get to the parking lot so we took pictures from the overlook and went on.

  Just one of the Nenes at the overlook.

 We thought we'd check in on Anahola Park and see if we could snorkel there.  But it was rough, too.

  Probably could have snorkeled at Lydgate.   When we got around the the East side the wind was down and the ocean wasn't as rough as it usually is.  But we decided to head South and check out conditions there, but first we had to stop at our condo and pick up our Costco card (time to get gas).  While at our "home", I took a picture of the nifty message they have spelled out with bushes, "Aloha". 

  While I was at it, I took another picture of the ocean by our condo.

  By the time we got South, we were pretty hungry---no breakfast today.  So we stopped at Bubba Burgers.  I had the Ono fish and chips (good but a little overcooked) and Ken had a double burger (sort of reminded me of a big White castle burger).
Then we drove up to the end of the road past Lawai beach and watched the waves for awhile.  It was an interesting point for viewing Spouting Horn.

  Drove back by Lawai and decided it was too rough.

 Drove over to Poipu.  I've seen several bus stops around Kauai with odd chairs around them, but the one in Poipu is tops!

   Decided to take a hike since it looked like snorkeling wasn't going to happen today.  On our way up to the Lithified cliffs near Shipwreck Beach, we saw cliff diver.  In all the trips we've taken to Kauai (13 now), we've never seen anyone jump from there until now.

  We did see a few whales while we were wandering around the cliffs.  They weren't too active, though. 

  This was about as far as we got.  There must be another way to get over to Gillian's Beach.

  Heading back along the cliffs we saw several sunset/whale watching cruises.

  Had to take a picture of me ahead of Ken for a change.  Nice not to have pulled calf muscles anymore like I suffered almost all of last year.  Last vacation I was hobbling around with walking sticks as canes.

  Done with our walk, we thought we'd go to Keoki's Paradise for happy hour, but it ended before we got there.  So we just headed to Poipu.  There we saw our 3rd monk seal so far this trip.

  There were a few brave snorkelers, but it was pretty rough there, too.

  Love these Hawaiian Cardinals.

  We decided to get a drink for Brennecke's Deli and sit at the park and wait for sunset.  I celebrated the big waves all over Kauai with a Big Wave from Kona Brewery.

  Sunset was fast with not many clouds.  It was also very windy and rather cool.  I actually wore my jacket while waiting for sunset. 

  On the way back to KBV, we picked up Subway for dinner and called it a day.  a great day, even though not what we expected when we left this morning.