Vacation Memories in Kauai

Kauai. The Garden Island.

Tunnels Beach and a view of the Na Pali Coast

Hiking up Sleeping Giant

My husband and I had the best vacation this past winter on the island of Kauai and I wanted to share it with you. My husband and I have done what I will call the "resort experience" of Hawaii, spending time on Maui for our honeymoon. Let's be real, a week at the Grand Wailea was fabulous but we couldn't really afford to do that again.

Cue AirBnB and a late night surfing dream vacation spots on Kauai. Chad and I had banked quite a few Alaska Airlines miles when paying for our wedding and going about daily life. We don't use credit as a loan but instead pay it off monthly to get some rewards. I was day dreaming about 7 days away while our budget was telling us we could afford 3 nights at the Marriott. Then I found the Epic Dome. And the dome lived up to its name!

View from the top!

The Epic Dome was easy to find after our plane ride from Seattle. There was some traffic leaving the airport but with one road around the island that is to be expected. The dome had a lovely outdoor kitchen and very private outdoor bathroom. I loved feeling like I was taking a shower in the jungle.

Poke Filled massive avocado 

The dome allowed us to unplug a bit while still having all amenities. It was such a great launching point for adventures. Being up on the hill we would look around the skyline, find some sunshine and go that way for our daily adventure. We explored Limahuli Garden, Hanalei Bay, and had delicious sashimi at the Dolphin. Tip for the Dolphin- skip the restaurant and go around back to the little store, buy some poke and head to the beach. I have never had better Ahi!

We spent a day doing some fun tourist trap type adventures, boating out to the fern wedding grotto and hiking up sleeping giant. We had fun walking down into Kapaa from the Epic Dome enjoying an espresso at Small Town Coffee in Kapaa (Thanks Sunset Magazine for the tip!) , and drinks at The Olympic Cafe to enjoy looking down over the town.  Skip the food though, there are much better (and more cost effective) places to dine.  

The hosts were great and I would recommend enjoying Kauai with the Epic Dome as a base point for anyone looking for an adventure!

We are headed to Portland later this summer, anyone have any killer AirBnB places we need to stay at??? Full us in!

:::Cade Winery:::Tour with a killer view

Cade Winery.  WOW.  The drive up Howell Mountain leaves the Silverado Trail and begins climbing in elevation to the hidden vineyards above.  With only 54 acres, Cade is perched with a beautiful vista to the south.  The tour includes a stroll though their ground which includes cork trees- No, they do not make the corks on site, but it is still interesting to see the trees and imagine the process.  It is also interesting that only half the Cade wines are closed with cork, the other half if all sealed under a twist top.  AND you have to purchase one of each.  

From the vineyard and cork tree grove, our tour group of about 10 people wandered through the fermentation area.  Built to be gravity fed, the area where the magic (wine) is made is dug into the hill.  Like you are standing INSIDE Howell Mountain.  Nothing better than naturally keeping the cellar at optimum temperature!  And that barrel room!

Drool.  Perfectly stacked barrels with their perfect wine stain down the center.  Did you know?  The Cade team actually removes their wine stain touch before selling their used barrels. From the barrel room we went to a long table and tasted through their offerings.  Each wine is paired with a little bit.  I was impressed the Cade team were able to change out the regular menu of small bites for a vegetarian version for me.  Many thanks!  The crackers were handmade by a team member and the fig jam was great with their Cabernets!

 Not only did we love the Cade wines but we also took home some Adaptation, the Plumpjack groups second label.  I highly suggest their Petite Syrah.  Such a great everyday wine ( and much softer on the wallet).  I would suggest Cade to anyone hoping to get away from the crowds and take in great service with a breathtaking view.  I wish we would have had more time to enjoy a glass of wine at the fireplaces tucked into their grounds.