Find the map but be careful. It's upside down and backwards. It should have been place on the BACKSIDE of the sign. BYOP
I'm usually here a few times a week so maybe I'll see you out here....
My daughter introduced me to Geocaching earlier this year while I was visiting her in the mainland. I loved it! It reminded me of the car rallies we did when we were teenagers. My daughter knew I was hooked and bought me a premium membership. This is my first hide with her help.
$1 for the FTF. Congrats to the CoFTF Beakyj and boreasv!
Make it a point to visit the beautiful Lydgate Park. This popular Kauai Beach Park offers the perfect combination of adventure and comfort for families traveling with small children. The kids will love the large maze-like wooden “Kamalani” playground where there are swings, slides, bars, tires, walkways, swinging bridges, a volcano, tile benches, drinking fountains… at the time of placing this cache, however, this area is being remodeled.
Kamalani Playground is quite unique. As you visit, you may notice the colorful handmade tiles that were created by the children of Kauai to decorate the area with a Kauai-based theme. You might also notice the plaques of all the donors that made the park possible.
If you walk South on the sidewalk (or bike or roller skate, etc.) you will pass the Kahi Lani Condominiums, and then eventually get to another play structure. This is the Kamalani Kai Bridge. It is a series of ramps and slides that you can explore, and it connects the sidewalk to the beach area below.
Lydgate Beach Park is located on the East side of Kauai adjacent to the Wailua River. As you drive into the area, you will notice all the family friendly amenities like soccer fields, beachside pavilions, and comfort stations. However, the beach here is quite rough due to the incessant trade winds waves that pound the coast. The river also deposits a lot of debris in the form of driftwood, which makes swimming here hazardous. But Lydgate is special, since these conditions were recognized, two man-made rock wall ponds were built to buffer the waves and now provide a calm swimming, snorkeling, and wading area.
The ponds allow the water to move freely through the crevices in the rocks. Juvenile fishes can move into the pond through these crevices and as they grow are unable to escape. As a result, it is possible to view several different species of fishes when snorkeling here. Turtles and eels can also be found in the pond from time to time, especially after a high tide. The protected area, calm water, posted lifeguard and variety of fish make this the perfect beginning snorkeling spot. A second, shallower pond, adjacent to the first is a perfect wading area for the littlest of visitors. My favorite Hawaiian Fish is the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a. See if you can say it fast!
If you are a history buff, you might be interested to know that the Wailua area is rich in ancient Hawaiian historical sites. These sites may be worth investigating. At the far north end of Lydgate Park, you will find the Hauola Place of Refuge. This Place of Refuge was considered a safe zone for commoners who had broken a kapu or committed a crime. The rock wall remains also mark the site of the Hikini a ka la Heiau.
When you visit, be sure to pack a nice lunch. There are plenty of picnic tables, shade pavilions, and nice grassy areas to relax and enjoy a picnic. Whatever adventure you choose here, the whole family will enjoy the day at Lydgate Beach Park.
I also highly recommend doing the nearby Earthcache GC7YYF9 Snorkeling at Lydgate to learn more about this part of the island.