The location of this state park has some spectacular views. From Lake Lure, made famous by the movie Dirty Dancing, to the beautiful forest, and 404ft waterfall, this park has a bunch to see. The granite 315ft monolith, Chimney Rock,  protrudes from Hickory Nut Gorge and sits at an elevation of 2,280ft. Luckily for visitors, there is an elevator that will take you to the top so you do not need to tire yourself.  I highly recommend taking the stairs if you have it in you because you can take tons of photos along the way and it really puts into perspective just how high up you are.

Gneiss Cave

Before reaching the beginning of the staircase to the top of Chimney Rock is the Gneiss Cave, pronounced "nice". This tiny fissure is home to some bats, so the deeper parts of the cave are closed to visitors. Heading down the granite steps you will enter this itty-bitty cave where you can look over the railing into the darkness below.

The only photo I got of the inside of the small cave.

The Opera Box

The trek up the stairs was not too bad, but there is a reason it has the nickname of “The Ultimate Stairmaster”. But it really was worth the climb because the 75 mile view was breathtaking. We could see the lake far below, surrounded by the forest which was barely beginning to show spots of orange and red.
After taking a bunch of photos at the top, we decided to check out where the rest of the stairs went. Taking the Skyline Trail up, you’ll reach the “Opera Box”. From here you can sit on a bench under a rock overhang and see Chimney Rock. The shade from the above rock makes that bench a nice spot to rest before climbing the steps again.

View from the Opera Box!

Exclamation Point!

If you keep heading up then you’ll get to Exclamation Point, the highest peak in the park. At 1400ft above the entrance to the park, the sheer cliff face drops into the greenery below.
On the way down, we poked around some different paths and found a neat tunnel carved into the granite. We had to stoop to walk through it and discovered it leads to the top of a set of steps that join the main staircase.

Hickory Nut Falls

After going back down the winding stairs to the very bottom, we followed the signs to Hickory Nut Falls. This 1.5 mile hike is very easy and the trail is well-maintained. There are signs along the way describing the plants and rocks surrounding the path. When you near the end, you’ll see a viewing area where a staff member is posted.
Feel free to climb down from the viewing area to step in the stream below the falls, just be careful on the slippery rocks.

On our way out of the park we stopped to meet Grady the Groundhog, the mascot of the State Park. Just near the park entrance, Grady lives outside a small building which is home to some other critters that are natural in the area.



I hope this was helpful and inspires you to get outside and explore!






-Alecia

It seems like most people shudder at the idea of swimming with sharks, saying, “That’s crazy!” and, “Aren’t you scared?”. Actually, sharks are some of my favorite animals and swimming with them is always an amazing experience.

Cage Diving with Sharks

Being in a cage is definitely the way to go if you are feeling nervous or are not a strong swimmer. You still get super close to the sharks and sometimes they even bump into the cage, but you are very secure. They can usually fit about 6 people in the cage at once so it can feel a little cramped. The one downside to being in the cage is that the cage is bobbing up and down in the water. You need to hold onto the cage so that you do not hit your face or body on the cage as it moves, this means you are also bobbing up and down and if you are the type to get seasick then it can be unpleasant.

Free diving with Sharks

Diver Nick in black

Rule 1: Research

Rule 2: It’s THEIR House

Rule 3: It’s All About Body Language 

Rule 4: Fix Gear on the Boat

Rule 5: Do Your Part

Isn't it just magnificent? This "Mermaid Cave" is one of the most beautiful places on the island of O'ahu. The impressive, but sometimes dangerous grotto is really an extraordinary sight to take in.

The fun is in the finding! If you know anything about the landscape on O'ahu, then it should not be too hard to figure out where this cave is located. And if you do not know much about the geography of O'ahu then the search will be a great adventure, I promise!

I will not reveal the location, so if you came here for that then tough luck. Not that you cannot find the location, as this "secret" spot has been geo-tagged in so many photos that it is actually no longer a secret. Knowing the whereabouts of this cave used to be a privilege. Hidden along some remote beach, was this gorgeous cavern, carved from the ocean. But now, when you go, you have to stand in line to get inside because the amount of people milling about it's entrance is staggering. Never mind that the cave is essentially in some body's backyard, but visitors seem to think it is also a garbage dump. The very last time I went, I cut my finger on a broken beer bottle. Yep.

You would think that people coming to experience the ocean's beauty would have more regard for it than to leave their garbage strewn among the rocks.

I have nothing against people coming to see the spectacular work of art that Mother Nature has made, but I am against people littering and ruining the overall experience by their loudness and general lack of respect. This breathtaking cavern has become a tourist hot spot with the aid of social media.

Treacherous 

Now that I have all that off my chest, I do have a serious message for you concerning this exquisite cave. The tide can easily fill the cave up and the strong waves have been known to pull people into the ocean through the opening in the back of the cave. Be careful, especially with your little ones.

Mahalo

When you do visit, be sure to respect it and the people who live nearby. There are memorial sites in the ground here for people who are no longer with us. The people who have made their homes in this area are saints to put up with the ruckus I have seen surrounding this cave. Besides the boisterous crowds, the littering needs to stop. Our natural world is very important and taking care of the 'aina is part of the Aloha spirit. Please, do not litter and if you see trash pick it up because there are trash cans in the parking lot.

Sand Cloud is a company that donates 10% of profits towards efforts for marine conservation, like beach cleanups. Their products, like this towel, are pretty great. Use code Alecia25 for a 25% discount at http://www.sandcloudtowels.com

Mahalos,
Alecia <3

 From the beaches of Waikiki to the famous North Shore, the beaches on O’ahu are heaven on Earth. Each beach has something different to offer, depending on what your goal is for the day. Whether it is to relax or to surf, here is a list of the best beaches to check out. 

Lanikai Beach

Shark’s Cove

Diamond Head Beach Park

Waimea Bay