The locals in this town are extremely friendly and laid-back. And if you're lucky, they just may ask you over for a Hawaiian-style barbecue, throw down a few cold ones and talk smack over a plate of fresh fish. And that's exactly what we did. A couple of the guys tried convincing us to relax and go with the . ow. I guess it was obvious that we'd brought along with us the fast-paced city vibe, which is kind of taboo in these parts. And it made sense to me, as it's common for mainlanders to live pretty fast-paced lives and not even realize it. It's important to slow down from time to time and enjoy the now. As we began to chill and relax, we really enjoyed soaking up the awesome vibe of Hawaii and its people. After eating some great food, telling a few lies and learning that Tattoo wasn't actually a real person even though much of the show "Fantasy Island" was . lmed on this very island, it was about time to wind down for the day. We knew the next few days would be packed with a ton of riding, so we took a quick walk down the beach and then hit the sack. I slept like a baby, as the sound of waves crashing on the beach all night long was so peaceful. It was such a relaxing time and a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The next morning we awoke to a breathtaking sunrise and a strong desire to get going, as today we would be visiting Princeville Ranch for a privately guided tour from Jeff and Karin Guest. On this ranch, the family train horses and raise cattle among other things. Karin's brother David, for example, runs a great operation for visitors who want to experience an adventure-. lled day while on the island. Here, you can experience a ton of cool things, such as a Jungle Valley Adventure ride aboard kayaks, a hike to one of Kauai's many waterfalls or a zip line expedition. We opted out of the Princeville Ranch Adventures due to our lim- ited time and our huge desire to experience Hawaii on ATVs, but it was surely dif. cult to pass it up. Instead, Karin showed us around the ranch in her Kawasaki Mule. It was amazing-the daily chores she could accomplish using the Mule around the farm. She introduced us to a couple of her horses and we helped feed them. Karin then showed us some awe-inspiring views of green pastures and vast mountains. We were also lucky enough to try out some of Karin's killer guacamole. The avocados are grown right here on the ranch and are picked fresh; it was so much better than any guacamole I'd had in the past. Wow, what an incredible place to spend your days.
The next morning we awoke to another perfect sunrise. Jeff was kind enough to show us the rugged side of riding the ranch. He guided us through extremely dif. cult level trails that were enveloped in thick, jungle vegetation. The color of the vegetation was remarkably vibrant, while the terrain became extremely challenging. We climbed up steep mountainsides, tackled Bigfoot-size ruts and stopped to take in the occasional awesome sight of the land where you could see countless waterfalls spilling off the sides of the mountains. It's funny, because I could've died and gone to heaven just after this ride, but we had only barely begun exploring Kauai; our most-anticipated ride was yet to come.
For days, we had been anxiously awaiting the tour of Kipu Ranch with owner Antone and his crew. Kipu Ranch isn't a place where only a select few lucky people can take private rides; it's actually a place where anyone seeking this type of adventure can visit. Antone and his crew's mission is to make people's fantasies of riding and seeing the hidden beauty and wildlife that Kauai has to offer come true. And I must say, it was every bit of a fantasy become a reality for me.
I felt completely peaceful...
I felt completely peaceful as we were winding through the incredible canopied jungle trails.
When Kauai shows its darker...
When Kauai shows its darker side, it transforms into an eerie type of magnificent beauty.