Today was "Volcano" day at the Big Island!
We got up early, had a nice breakfast, then piled into the van. We thought (rightly so) that the drive might be arduous for the motorcycle, so we all went in the van. We left Kona---and everyone promptly fell asleep. Except for Damian...driving....and driving....and driving. About 1/2 way there, we stopped at a lava field for a stretch.
Then we moved on...our first stop was the Punalu'u bakery. We love that bakery. Their baked goods are soooooooo yummy. We each ordered a breakfast malasada. Garry had a Strawberry-filled one.
Damian might have ordered a chocolate-filled one...
We enjoyed our breakfasts, then moved on to the Black Sand Beach where we saw many treasures including--yes--more Green Sea Turtles.
We spent some time there, then moved on to the Volcano Park. Any other time we've been here, the park has been overcast, rainy/misty, and very spooky. This time it was bright and sunny and happy! Not very mysterious at all!
Still we drove around, then went to our one-and-only hike (really) for this trip. We looked down at the old crater...
Then hiked down into it!
It was nifty, but more so when (as I mentioned) it's misty and rainy. For you see, when that is the situation, the rain drains through the cracks in the "old lava" and down to where the current lava is flowing...then it gets heated up and comes back to the top as steam! But...even though the day was oddly sunny and happy...we still found some steam vents.
It was a fairly easy hike down to the crater, but coming back up, there was some complaining. But we did manage to snap some nice pictures on the way back up.
Back at the top we went to a picnic bench for a fabulous Russell-packed lunch. Then we walked out to see what the current lava flow was doing...
It had shifted in the last few months, so there wasn't much we could do to observe it other that that picture there.
Then we turned around, piled into the van....and Damian drove home while everyone slept.
But we made it alive and then we had another great Russell inspired dinner...enjoyed some hot-tub time, then---as usual---collapsed into bed.
ALOHA!
