Ryan Pointer
Ruffin’ It – Silver Falls Ranch
Situated in Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii, Silver Falls Ranch offers visitors a venture through the island’s lush landscapes atop well-trained horses, weaving a distinctive experience that transcends a conventional ride. The ranch, noted for its scenic waterfall tours that envelop a waterfall swim and a picnic lunch, steers a commitment towards not merely furnishing a ride, but a traverse through Kauai’s serene environment.
In a visual exploration facilitated by Olivia Ruff, the 300-acre breadth of Silver Falls Ranch is delineated, with its panoramic vistas and Mount Namahana forming a tranquil backdrop. Three divergent tours are proffered by the ranch, each formulated to adhere to varying preferences and simultaneously display the endemic flora and serene waterfalls of the locale. “We do three different tours,” outlines a guide during the video exploration, elucidating further, “We do an hour and a half of straight trail riding; they will ride past the waterfall to check it out. But our other two tours, we actually dismount and give you time to hang out at the waterfall, go swim, have some snacks.”
Silver Falls Ranch, operational for 25 years, is positioned as the nearest property within the old volcano, Mount Namahana, a formidable entity that sculpted the north shore. According to a guide, once visitors reach deeper into the backcountry, they are introduced to a more profound experience of native flora, including “all three species of koa; you’ll see ohia, all of our native ferns and wild orchids, and all that.”
A distinguishing factor elucidated by the ranch is their inclusivity in accommodating riders up to 300 pounds and welcoming children as young as five years on the trail rides. “One thing that really sets us apart is we’ll take riders up to 300 pounds,” states a representative of the ranch. The horses, exemplified by Akamai and Alika, are celebrated for their patience and propensity for seeking sustenance, all while handling riders adeptly through the trails.
A commendable practice employed by the ranch to maintain the welfare of the horses involves interspersing their work periods with substantial breaks. “For these horses, they do work really hard for us, and we do like to reward them to give them some time off, so we actually send them out on vacation. They’ll work for a month or two, and we’ll give them a couple of weeks off,” shares an employee during the video, illustrating a humane approach towards the creatures that significantly contribute to the experiences curated by the ranch.
While a sense of serenity and immersion in nature is provided by Silver Falls Ranch, the facilitators insist that their offerings are embedded in the primal joy of being amidst nature. “I think the best thing we have to offer here at the ranch is just being out in nature, being close to the mountain, being surrounded by a bunch of fresh water,” one states, subtly underlining the tranquil encounters the ranch offers without overshadowing the intrinsic value of the landscapes themselves.
Positioned on the north shore just outside of Kilauea town up Kalihiwai Ridge, Silver Falls Ranch extends beyond an equestrian venture, offering an intersection with nature, nestled amidst freshwater and the enveloping proximity of a mountain, presenting a method through which the interior of Kauai can be explored and appreciated.
Down to Earth – Princeville Botanical Gardens
The Princeville Botanical Gardens, situated within the lush confines of Princeville on Kauai’s North Shore, originally sprouted from the personal hobby of Bill and Lucinda Robertson, burgeoning into a notable point of interest following their full-time move to Kauai in 2004. Transitioning land, previously designated for cattle and overrun by invasive species, into a botanical spectacle, the Robertsons, alongside a team of enthusiastic gardeners and collaborators, utilized organic fertilizers, self-made compost, and sustainable practices to cultivate this garden sanctuary. With a botanical repertoire that includes native and “canoe” plants, potent medicinals, and globally-sourced useful economic plants, the garden doesn’t merely stand as a testament to botanical beauty but doubles as a protective enclave for a diverse range of plant species. Inaugurated to the public in August of 2010, the garden extends its arms to visitors through intimate, guided tours, offering a rare lens into a family-operated botanical enterprise, replete with a mosaic of exotic flowers, delectable fruit trees, and authentic, homegrown chocolate. Moreover, the garden produces and shares its organic chocolate and honey, which visitors can savor during the tours, highlighting their commitment not only to botanical preservation but also to sustainable food production practices. The team, including the Robertsons, Jason Robertson, Michael Wise, and an assortment of tour guides, manage and maintain the garden’s flourishing expanse, while also spearheading educational efforts through their guided tours and experiences.
In a serene escapade through Princeville Botanical Gardens, the visitors are afforded a detailed guided tour, unraveling the intricate tapestry of the garden’s diverse botanical collection and the underlying stories of various plant species. Here, the rich diverseness of tropical plants and exotic flora is not merely exhibited but intricately detailed by knowledgeable guides, who delve into the unique history, cultural connotations, and medicinal applications of the foliage that envelopes visitors on their journey through the garden. Engaging in a multisensory experience, visitors bask in the fragrant blooms and ambient natural sounds, while also having opportunities to engage in experiential learning through activities such as lei making and sampling of exotic fruits and homegrown chocolate. This is not merely a journey through lush greenery but a deep dive into the heart of Hawaiian culture, environmental preservation, and sustainable practices, encapsulated within the verdant expanses of Princeville Botanical Gardens. The gardens stand not just as a beacon of serene natural beauty but as an embodiment of conservation and sustainable practices, intertwining visitor experiences with a deeper understanding and connection to the environmental and cultural tapestry of Hawaii.
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