The canyon’s colors and shapes made it seem like a hologram, making the experience even more dream-like. A week had passed, and I was still itching for something more rugged and intense. I decided to go on an ATV tour, which showed off all the movie sites. Instead of going with the tourist-driven ATV program, we went with the one that was family-owned on a ranch. The Kipu Ranch guides were extremely down-to-earth and upbeat. I could tell that they were doing something that they loved. So after 15 minutes of practicing with the ATV, the guides wasted no time in heading out to the wilderness. Going 50 mph on a dirt path, paradise in the fore and background, the loud roar of the motors, the screaming of absolute fun in my head, I again felt free. Seeing the sites where “Jurassic Park”, “Indiana Jones”, “Tears of the Sun” were filmed, put the icing on the cake. We drove by the mountain ranges where most of “Jurassic Park’s” backdrop was shot. We drove to the rope swing where Indiana Jones swung across the Wailua River in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Then, surprisingly the guides led the pack up this black-volcanic rock path up one of the mountain ranges. Being just behind the guide I look at my speedometer: 33, 37, 40, 45, 49, 55, 60, 65, 68, 73, 75 mph, as my speed climbed, so did my ascension of fear and adrenaline. Further and further up that mountain range, I briefly made quick glances to my left seeing the vast, multiple shades of green valley. Each batch of trees getting smaller and smaller, the increasing of moisture and density in the air, I really felt free. I looked up ahead and I saw we were nearing the peak I started thinking, “Holy shit, I never dreamed of doing this.” Then, finally we reached the peak, 75 became 12, which then became 0. My hands were engraved into the handlebars. It was as if my hands grew roots during the ascension. Prying my hands off, the guides seemed to save the best for the last. Step by step, nearing the guide, I see more and more of a secret and desolate beach in the horizon. In a panting voice the guide told the others and me, “This beach right here has only been seen by 2 percent of the people who tour and live here.” That brief moment in time made my vacation. Emotions of joy, relief, fear and awe all rose at that time. With a tornado of emotions, I realized that this island had lived up to its name. After visiting the other two islands, that day-by-day are transforming into the mainland, the more Kauai seemed like a haven of adventure. Kauai was the host for my family’s first vacation. However, in all honesty, at times I felt I was home in the wild and that nature was my family. My sister and not my parents only accompanied most of my adventures. This made me realize that ultimately my sister and me were on our own vacation and that my parents were on their own vacation. About three years later, I am still itching for an adventure, and every time I hear the word “adventure,” I think of Kauai. Looking back, I now realize what it means to have an adventure, which is to lose yourself into the wild. Books and movies can portray adventure and freedom, but the essence lies in letting go of the mind. Kauai taught me that.
Next Story: L.A.