Around the Island in a Day
On New Year’s Day, knowing that we wanted to view some volcano/lava action, Gpa Peter, Jill, Lucy, and I set out for a drive around the island. During our trip we made sure to stop off at Tex’s in Honoka’a for food and tried out the malasadas.
I was looking forward to checking out BJ Penn’s gym in Hilo. Alas, the place was closed, so we had to make do with peering through the windows. Lucy would have to show off her BJJ moves next time, I guess.
The actual drive was pretty cool. We saw all sorts of weather, from pristine blue skies to fog-shrouded mountain tops (the kinda stuff that would look at home on a Led Zeppelin album cover) to heavy, “why can’t these windshield wipers go faster?!” rain storms.
The kid showed no fear during our trip, even while spelunking through lava tubes.
Some of the lava formations were especially intriguing. Away from the ocean and people, their dead silent surroundings gave them an otherworld quality that was way cool. I felt like I was in an old Star Trek episode and that a Gorn could pop out at any moment!
this day was a lot of fun!
It was a bit scary when the air around the volcano visitor’s center turned noxious (it went from ‘unhealthy’ to ‘poor’ according to their live display, and the rangers asked everyone politely to stay inside a few hours til it cleared). The earthquakes were a little unsettling too.
It was so cool to see where the lava covered the road, like the classic postcard pic. We didn’t get close enough to see the lava pouring into the sea, that was not in the cards with Miss L. in tow. But it did feel like something could happen any minute. Eery.
Dang…..Lucy is so lucky to see “The Prodigy’s” gym.
She’s adorable!
Thanks. To this day, when she sees an airplane she says “they’re going to Hawaii.” She wants to go back again ‘cuz she says she “was just a baby” when these pics were taken.