Volcanoes national park

It was Christmas Day, which we decided was the perfect opportunity to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We had read that it was experiencing very heavy traffic, with long lines at the entrance gates and no parking available after 8 am; we assumed that it would be less busy on the holiday. Since it was a 2-hour drive, Carl, Kim, Dani, Seb, and I left at 5 am and drove through rain and darkness to make sure we could get into the park and start our hike at Devastation trailhead. The elders also drove to the national park, and spent the morning driving around the ring road and viewing the volcano from the various viewpoints. 

We first walked out to see the currently erupting volcano, with a thin edge of magma oozing out of the ground. It was drizzling slightly and the most amazing double rainbow appeared above the crater. 

After that, we were off on a 6-mile hike, which first took us along Byron Ledge and then traced the rim of Kilauea Iki crater, through a gorgeous rainforest. It was raining intermittently throughout the hike, but cleared just enough for us to see across the crater and down into the lava lake below. We detoured into another lava tube, this one far larger than the one near Hilo, and then the trail dropped down into the crater itself. That part of the hike was really fun — seeing the cracked edges of the lava lake, jumping from the various rock cliffs, feeling steam still rising from a few vents. And then we climbed up out of the crater and retraced the stick part of our lollipop loop, back to our car, and from there back home.

 

 

The trail, stretching across the bed of the lava lake.

Sunshine! Please dry me off!!

Part of our ongoing series: teenagers on vacation.

Steve, Liesl, and Roxy had decided to stay closer to home, and spent the morning exploring the fish ponds and ocean views from the Hilton in Waikoloa. They played giant games of jenga and connect-four and checkers, and saw dolphins in the aquarium. 

In the late afternoon, we all met up at Spencer Beach park to play in the calm waters of the bay and enjoy the sunset. Carl had an epic battle with Liesl and Roxy, picking them up and throwing them into the water, and then having to fight them off as they attacked. Each side declared victory, but in fairness, Carl was the first to retreat.

 

 

photobomber!