We were in the clouds and looking down to depths of 3,000 feet. The cool air stung our faces with gusts of wind coming up from the valleys, caverns and up and over the ridges throughout this wonderful historic site called the Waimea (pronounced why may ah) Canyon on the west side of the island of Kauai (pronounced cow ah ee).

In the late 1960's and early 1970's I would go to my Aunt Sally's home during spring and summer vacations and only once did I experience the beauty and awesome colors reflected from the sun and passing cloud formations over this wonderous array of mountainous formations.  You see, she lived just a couple of streets down from Waimea Canyon Road.

The drive up through Waimea Canyon to Kokee Lodge was about 18 miles and a very treacherous and dangerous ride. With steep cliffs on each side it without a doubt a drive to not be peering over into the canyon at...until you stop at the scenic lookouts.

I had my feet plastered against the dashboard and in a wet sweat by time we got to Kokee Lodge.

A little history:

• Kauai is actually the top of a volcano that rose from the ocean floor (about 5 million years ago is about the age of the lava flows) and is the oldest of the Hawaiian islands.
• Kauai was still 'forming' 4 million years ago with eruptions that were pretty continuous and a portion of Kauai collapsed.
• The collapse of Kauai filled the depression with lava flows.
• Rainwater from the Mount Wai'ale'ale (why ah lee ah lee) caused erosion along the edge of the collapse.
• Over the years the exposed basalt (volcanic rock) became weathered and worn from the original color of black to this bright red.

I personally love the beautiful array of colors. In the top picture I took the shot with my Kodak V705 and sometimes this camera gives off some wonderful (if not weird looking) colors. The second picture Gary took with the Canon Powershot S2IS (older but still does a great job) and the video below I took with the FlipVideo. I left all the sound in so you could hear the gusting winds but the show is a gorgeous full view of Waimea Canyon.

Stay tuned for more stories and views from our trip to Kauai.....from the desk of "Sally" Cheeseman.

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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com