Taylor Camp was at the end of the road on Kauai’s North Shore, at the trailhead to Kalalau, the gateway to the wild and roadless Napali Coast. Not only is this coast too rugged for motor roads, not even foot trails make it all the way around to the other end on Kauai’s West Side.
“Living there changed my life completely. I discovered Ram Dass’ book “Be Here Now” and Iearned the mantra ‘om mani padme hum’. But it wasn’t until I got on the Kalalau Trail that the mantra started to resonate. It was no longer a conscious effort to say the words, but they became a part of every footfall. The beach in the morning clouds, picking shells, soft firelight at night, the candlelight—it cast a spell on me. There wasn't any electricity. We were just living by the natural rise and fall of the sun. It became a part of my life that led me to Tibetan Buddhism, the only thing that I've found that matches my own perceptions of truth and reality. So, I'd have to say the spiritual gains I made in camp and in Kalalau were probably the most important things in my life ever. Ever.” — Maggie Mitchell