Well, while you were probably snowed in and busy watching the Superbowl, we were hiking in a lava tube! I didn't even realize until today that yesterday was Superbowl Sunday. Not that I would have watched the game since we don't have a TV.
I sold the TV right after David passed away. I haven't missed it a bit though I confess I am going to watch Survivor on CBS.com, it is my one TV vice and I've been a fan since the very first show. Enough of that, back to the lava tube.
Rachel, U'i and I drove to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park yesterday after a short visit to our local farmer's market. The drive was lovely, maybe a 1/2 hour from our house.
We started out at an elevation of 53 feet from sea level, and went up to well over 4,000 feet. The volcano we visited is Kilauea. This volcano has been continuously erupting since 1982, adding many square miles of new land each year where the lava flows into the ocean. The park also encompasses another volcano, Mauna Loa, which is actually the tallest mountain on earth when measuring from its base in the ocean to the top. It is well over 35,000 feet tall. It also has snow at the summit and many people ski there, then in 15 minutes they can also surf in the ocean. There is snow on the summit right now.
We didn't go that far yesterday, just limiting our stay to the summit of Kilauea, the visitor center there and hiking the Thurston Lava tube. We will be spending many, many more days in this wonderful National Park in the future.
Here is a picture of the fern filled trail on the way to the Lava Tube.
After a short hike, the trail enters the actual lava tube.
The tube itself took maybe 5 minutes to hike through, and then it was another short hike back to the parking area.
Just a few miles away is the caldera. Quite a contrast to this first part of the park!
We spent about 4 hours in the park and just barely scratched the surface. Stay tuned for further adventures. We can't wait to see the lava flowing into the ocean and this same caldera at night, where the steam looks like fire shooting into the sky!
Beautiful! I really need to come see your paradise one day!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous lady. We have noticed a few glimpses of spring here with the return of several species of birds and things budding up.
ReplyDeleteI will admit, I have watched Survivor from the begining and have used to show to write about 7 or more papers with varying themes of: management, group think, creative thinking, pyschology, and game play. LOL So I can totally understand that.
I am stoked you remembered your camera, Missy.
Thanks, Judy. We are just waiting for visitors, please come!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mal. I've been carrying my camera everywhere with me since my parents sent it. That doesn't mean I always take pictures but I COULD. Actually I have tons of pictures just need to post more often. Next week SURVIVOR...we need to have a party!
ReplyDeleteYour trip reminded me of both the Juneau AK forests coupled with the calderas of Yellowstone National Park! What a treasure to have to explore over and over. Grrrreat pics!
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