Jeff Lubeck

Spring Flowers in the Yard in Kauai

It is the middle of spring time. So what is flowering in your yard or in the neighborhood?

Take a moment, stop what you are doing, and check out what is blooming. There is more than you might think.

Hawaiian Hibiscus in the front yard

Monk Orchid’s in the Plumeria Tree in the backyard

Kauai-an Hibiscus in the front yard

Red Cactus Flower on Kahakai (street-side property line)

Yellow Cactus Flower on Kahakai (street-side property line)

The flowering ‘Ōhi’a lehua tree in the backyard

Spring Swell over Ni’ihau Island on the Pacific Ocean from the front yard.

Over the years, Kauai has become our primary residence (300+ days). However, we are looking forward to traversing our backyard of Idaho later this year. I hope it looks as wonderful as. it does in the Post [here].

*** Jeff’s Thoughts and Other Worthless Trivia ***

I noticed the swell Over Ni’ihau Island as I started my out and back run on the beach (with the Border Collies) to the Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor. For perspective, Ni’ihau is 14 miles away. The Waimea Pier is 1/4 mile away. The small boat harbor is two miles away.

More about the boat harbor is [here]

First Winter After The Wapiti 2024 Fire

The Wapiti Fire of 2024 consumed over 129 thousand acres of the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho.

As the lighten created, wind driven fire progressed, my house and the entire town of Stanley were in line to be its victim. A last chance backfire was started by the firefighters of the United States Forest Service on FS Road #619. My home is surrounded by the Sawooth National Forest. My property line is the Sawtooth National Forest. The starting point of the backfire was just behind house. The backfire worked, acting as a last line of defense, and helping to save my house and the town of Stanley.

Wapiti Fire map as of 10 2024

A Mid Winter Check on the Implications of The Wapiti 2024 Fire

I decided to take a look at the implications of the fire as it relates to the nearby landscape in February (2025). I chose to visit three spots a number of times.

Park Creek Area (West of Stanley)
Forest Service Road #619
Goat Creek Basin

I visited each of the areas multiple times on Snowshoe, Back-country Cross Country skis, and Alpine Terrain (AT) Downhill skis.

Each of the trips would involve covering 6 to 10 miles on snow. The Park Creek Area is the only trip requiring travel by vehicle.

Park Creek Area

The Park Creek drainage received the unfettered brunt of the Wapiti 2024 Fire. The Park Creek Overlook Cross Country ski area used to be blanketed in Lodgepole pine. Three recent fires, Dry in 2015, Elk in 2021 and Wapiti 2024 have wiped out most of the trees. The Stanley community creates and maintains some of the best cross-country skiing that can be had in the region. The fire did not stop the community from creating the normal cross country ski routes.

Bear appear to be using the course for exercise.

Sawtooth’s from the start of the Camas Loop.

Sawtooth’s from the top of Skyrocket with Park Creek below.

Goat Creek Basin

The Goat Creek Basin is a trail-less drainage with no direct access. The world famous Goat Lake and Goat Falls (accessed via Iron Creek Trailhead) sit 2,000 feet above the basin. The successful back-burn spared this area from the Wapiti 2024 fire.

Goat Creek Basin and Meadow

Ruby’s Grand Daughter on a mid-winter trip

Goat Creek

Evidence of snow-shoe hare travel on Goat Creek Ridge mid-winter.

Forest Service Road #619

Travel via Forest Service Road #619 to the Wilderness Sign-in from my house is 6.45 miles round-trip. The back-burn was started at about 1AM when the prevailing winds were south-east to northwest. The intension was for the burn to work its way back into the approaching fire, staying on the north and west side of the road and Iron Creek.

The plan worked to great effect. A few flares did the opposite and started fires not far from the house. The fire crews put out these fires quickly.

A burned tree on FS #619

The results of the back-burn are visible from State Highway 21. After covering the route a handful of times, I would say the burn left more untouched than I expected. No area along the route seemed more that 35% burned. Many sections appeared to be untouched.

The Iron Creek Trailhead appears to be untouched.

Iron Creek Trailhead area (under 9 fee of snow).

The tops of the signs at the Trailhead are 10 feet in height.

The Wilderness sign-in box is 3 feet below the top of the snow mound.

I made sure to sign-in.

USFS Road #619 about 5 miles from Idaho State Highway 21.

*** Jeff’s Thoughts and Other Worthless Trivia ***

Information and background on the Wapiti Fire is [here].

Most of forest you see my Post located [here] was burned in the Wapiti 2024 fire.

HOE WA’A Shines in Waimea

Hoe wa’a or Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling is a material part the Hawaiian islands and its people. I am lucky in that in my hometown, Waimea, Kauai, Hoe wa’a is part of everyday life. I get to observe it, first-hand, most days.

The Kilohana Canoe Club on Kauai is located where the Waimea River meets the Pacific Ocean. I live just a few houses west of the club on the river and on the ocean beach front. Kilohana Canoe Club is a non-profit organization that does many things that are beneficial to Waimea and its residents. In my opinion, involving kids of all ages in the discipline, is the best of what the Kilohana Canoe Club provides.

Last week, the 55th annual Prince Kuhio long distance outrigger canoe race hosted by the Kauai Outrigger Association took place. The 12 mile open ocean race is a big challenge. It covers the distance between Kalapaki Beach and Salt Pond Beach Park. The story in the Garden Island is located [here].

HOE WA’A WAIMEA 2025

Today the HOE WA’A Waimea 2025 event was held. Outrigger events of all types were held. The races are from the the Waimea River and the Waimea Public Fishing Pier to the breakwater of Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor and back.

The youngsters on their return to the finish of their 2 mile open ocean race.

The races are magnificent to watch. I decided to capture some images of the last race. It was of the youngster’s. These kids practice and train on the beach in front of my house. Linda, The Border Collies and I see them training throughout the year.

Open Ocean

The Open Ocean of Hawaii and the High Elevation Mountains of Idaho have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I utilize and celebrate them each and everyday in which I am present. I feel as if they are my front-yard and back-yard. However, both environments can be unforgiving and deadly. I always keep that in mind.

*** Jeff’s Thought’s and Worthless Trvia ***

I captured the images above using the Nikon Z9 camera and Nikon Z 400MM-560MM F2.8 Prime lens with Nikon 2X Telecoverter.

The subjects were 1/4 mile to 1 mile in the distance from the Waimea Fishing Pier.

While photographing, one of the teenagers that are part of the Kilohana Canoe Club, says hello to me. “I know you. You live in the green house next to the club with the lady named Linda and the two dogs Sage and Willow.” I half expected him to say “Aren’t you Kyle’s Dad? And what is your name?”