Tuesday we drove to the Kilauea Volcano which is part of the most active volcano system in the world. Along the way we saw a zebra,
a huge and very ridiculous subdivision built on a lava field called Hove,
the southern most point in the USA,
and a black sand beach with a couple of big sea turtles sunning themselves.
We had a quick dinner in the town of Volcano and then headed off to the point where the lava is flowing into the ocean. It was after dark (the best time for seeing action) and pouring rain and we had to make our way over pretty rough terrain for half an hour from the parking lot to get to the viewing area. Lava was splattering into the air as it hit the ocean. I would have like to have gotten closer but I suppose safety is more important than a surprise swim in a river of lava. We spent Tuesday night in rustic unheated cabins in the park but the night was not very cold so we fared pretty well.
Wednesday we drove around the main crater looking at sites. It is huge with lots of vents with steam and gasses. Very impressive. We walked through a lava tube that extended back several hundred yards in the midst of a rain forest. That afternoon Shawne headed back with Lizz and Ariel while Nathan Katherine and I took a hike half way around the rim of a smaller crater and then down across its surface which is an old lava lake. All in all two very nice days.
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