We were so tired that I did not have the energy to post yesterday so I am combining days. Day 6 we headed toward the other side of the island to Hilo district. There is a huge Famers Market, where we did some shopping and tried some great local food. When then headed to Akaka Falls where we hiked down to get a better view and it was beautiful, unfortunaetly part of the trail was closed so we could only go so far. The tropical forest is amazing, the ferns that grow here are as big as trees. We then headed to Rainbow Falls, which was a very short hike and pretty, but a little disappointing. After that, we drove to Volcano Inn and checked in, then headed to Kalapana, where there is active lava flow. You drive through a rough road to the trail head. They reccomend going at sunset to see the red lave flow running into the ocean. The hike was 3/4 of a mile where is roped off, from there you see the action and the steam bellowing up from the ocean. Pictures do not capture this amazing event. We then drove back to Volcano Inn, but stopped to eat in Pahoa at a place called Kaleo's. They had live music and the food was awesome!!
Day 7- we woke up and were not impressed with the place we stayed (no ac or fans), but it was close to the volcano and cheap. You get what you pay for! =) We tried a local place for breakfast, and we realize that no one is in a hurry around this place. Every time we eat out, the wait to get food is very long (i.e. 45 min for 2 eggs and fried rice), you get really hungry having to wait. Anyway, we hit another little local market for some gifts and then headed out to Volcano National Park. Part of the park road was closed due to hazaderous vog (sulfur and carbon dioxide), emitted from the active volcano. We got to see the Thurston Lava tube, Devastaion Trail, and Chain of Craters Road. Anthony also did a solo hike down into the Kilauea Iki Crater to walk on the crater floor in a volcano. Again the pics do not do this place justice. We then headed back to the other side to Kona. We are planning on having a relaxing evening grilling out and watching the sunset from the pool. I feel so blessed! Missing the girls and were able to webcam with them briefly the other day, they miss us whether they act like it or not. =) Aloha
Aloha again! Today we traveled to the southern most point of the US called Ka Lae. On the way we came across a farm with all different types of animals and bought some goodies they had for sell. After scoping out the southern most point, windmills, horses and spectacular views, we drove down a long winding road. We drove as far as we could then we had to hike 2.5 miles along the rocky cliffs of the ocean to a place called Green Sand Beach in Mahana Bay. It was not too bad of a hike and the scenery is so worth it, but the waves were brutal as well as the undertow. We then hiked back out and drove to Pu'uhonua o Honaunan National State Park. It has ruins and a place were sea turtles come up on the beach. It was a long day, so we topped it off with Anthony preparing a fabulous grilled dinner and then hanging out at the hot tub with some really nice people, some were local and others from FL. It was a great day and we are starting to really miss the girls but have a wonderful time. It is amazing how beautiful this place is, and how God is so gracious enough to let us enjoy this fabulous place. Praise be to God and imagine how heaven will exceed our expectations beyond our most wildest dreams, especially in such a wonderous place as this.
Today was packed with hiking, beaches, light house, & star gazing. First we headed to Pololu Valley which had amazing views and then went to Light House Beach which was treacherous to get to, but the rental car made it. We then drove to Waipio Valley where we did a steep hike down to the valley and beach. The hike was a 25% grade for a solid mile, which might not sound like much, but trust me it was disturbingly steep. Then we had to hike 2 more miles to get to the beach. It was breathtaking black sand beach with a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains with a couple of waterfalls. After seeing wild horses and hanging out on the beach we headed back up that steep mountain. I did not think I was going to make it, but we did. We then headed to the highest point in Hawaii called Mauna Kea (13,796 ft.). We did the Star Gazing Program at the observatory at 9,000 ft. It was amazing, but cold at that altitude, but we planned for it and took our fleece jackets and pants. The one picture of the moon Anthony took from looking into the telescope. After seeing an amazing star filled sky when then headed home. The road was dark and winding. After several miles we almost ran over a family of wild boars. They were huge and scared us to death, but luckily no human or pig was hurt.
