Each step could have been my last.  I carefully planted each footstep as I scaled the edge of one of the most immersively beautiful, but dangerous, scenes I could ever imagine.

Rewind about 20 minutes--(if you're curious about the visual details.)

We made it to the top of Kauai, Hawaii at Kalalau Lookout and let’s just say it certainly did not disappoint.  I had read and studied this location and many would mention that an attempt for a view could be futile and I went in thinking the chances were limited to get the moment I was after.

Suddenly, we were literally in the clouds looking down at the intricate patterns of the Kauai landscape.  It was a scene I had already seen from the sea and the air.  This was a moment, however, where we could stop, pause, and see the clouds swarming around us as we stood like statues.  There was enough clearance to see the full view, and all my fears of disappointment fell off the cliff we were mounted on. 

Just when it couldn’t get any better, the misty atmosphere presented a brilliant rainbow for the dozen or so lucky spectators at the gated lookout point. 

As I stood there taking picture after picture, the fun part was to listen to people’s reactions—I make a living chasing breathtaking scenes, but the reaction to this one took the cake.  People would approach and gasp at the view.  Onlookers could not help themselves but be audible about it.  Several seemed to be envious of my huge camera that would hopefully capture this unique scene in the most suitable way compared to their camera phones, and I was happy to have it, but it was more fun listening to people actually.

I had a job to do—click, click, click of the camera. 

I did so happily from every angle as I listened to the choir of oooos aaaaws and gasps.

Then things got a little "dicey"...

The rainbow seemed to retreat a bit when I saw a few people break off the lookout point down a trail that looked a little...scary. 

I could be exaggerating a bit here, but this was a trail that most did not bother to attempt. Thankfully, I had a few brave souls that urged me to get another viewpoint at this rare visual happening.

If you were to ask me what my biggest fear is, I’d say ledges.  I've gone skydiving--so it's not even heights.  Ledges terrify me.  In this case, we had a trail to work with, but one wrong step would be the end.  I knew this encounter with my fear was paying off immensely.

I stared at each step in front of me as the blazing show over the edge of the cliff was begging me to look at its dazzling performance.

The rainbow reached even further into the sky begging to be photographed.  

I then stopped with sure footing.  I gladly obliged.

I reached the top and it began to pour.  

People were arriving with umbrellas. 

They missed the show by just minutes.