My mom wasn’t thrilled with the idea of me hiking the Kalalau Trail on Kauai, notorious for being one of the most treacherous, dangerous hikes in the state.

And it didn’t help that the trail had been recently re-opened to the public for hiking and camping after a month-long search for a potentially dangerous fugitive who allegedly threw a park visitor from a cliff in the valley in December.

She didn’t like the fact that I’d be hiking in a remote area — and after a heavy rain, no less — with a “potentially dangerous fugitive” on the loose.

I couldn’t blame her.

But then again, wasn’t that part of the adventure?

So on my second day on the Garden Isle, I hopped into my rental car and drove the 32 miles from my hotel in Kapaa to Kee Beach and the start of the 11-mile trail.

Good thing we were just going to Hanakapiai Beach.

Just don’t tell my mom this beach is famous for drownings.

Here’s what my second day on Kauai looked Like:

Morning drive

Image 2 of 31

It was a nice, leisurely drive to the northern side of Kauai. The full moon just made it all the more surreal.