Another early to bed last night around 9 p.m. The plan for today is head out towards Hilo and hit all the volcano activities. Ending with night view of the Kilauea volcano. We used Google maps again to layout all the locations we want to see with a Flag. Then as we knock them out, change to star or turn off from list as no go. Makes it so easy to plan and track the day. This will be the technique for future trip planning for sure!
Another bagel and banana breakfast, pack-up and on the road to Hilo and stops on way to Kilauea volcano.
First stop was in route to get a distant pic of the mountain from north side. Learned later we were looking at Mauna Lao the largest volcano on the island. Measured from the sea floor it is twice as high as Mt. Everest. Lots of wild horses and goats on the island. We see goats quite a bit.
Mauna Loa - Kilauea is on the Southeast side - Looking from the North
We made it to the boiling pots, an area in the river that has water pools that swirl just down stream from small waterfall. Then on to Rainbow falls, all in Hilo right off residential areas.
Boiling Pots
Pretty Girl
Rainbow Falls
Flowers Everywhere on the Island
The next stop were caves you can explore. No lights, so only went in about 50 yards. Many went deeper into the cave and their lights and voices disappears. Very cool to see with some sketchy footing. Had an opportunity to help an elderly lady into the entrance. She didn't trust her daughter or husband. Her response was the lord sends angels to you in the strangest of places. What a sweetie.
Cave Entrance
From inside
A little farther into the cave just before you have to pretty much crawl.
After that we searched out Café 100, which supposedly is the place for a great burger. Kuhio Grill was plan C after Café 100 turned out to be closed and a Burger joint that was carryout only. Note that slow tourism and Covid rules definitely putting their foot print on the area. Our third choice turned out to be a gem. We split the 3 meat option with white rice. Teriyaki pork, pork cutlet and chicken katsu. Yummy and not over filling.
Then we drove 30 minutes to the Lava Tree park. The state parks are all over the island. Many not very large, but well kept with restrooms. This park was the least impressive so far. A walk through a long ago flow where the tree stumps survived encased in lava form.
Lava Tree - many spread around 1/2 mile walk
From there a quick drive to Fissure 8. Melissa the host lives next door. Transplant from CO, CA and 12 years on the island. The fissure sits on Sam and Roxanne's' 3 acre lot, so quick drive over. They allow Melissa to use the trail on their property. Not a tough climb, but what uncle David would call screed. Steam everywhere as ground water comes up through the vents, flow rock and fissure. The ground is warm and actually too hot to sit down for more than a few seconds and feels like a sauna. The rocks are warm and steamy.
Picture from Melissa's back yard
Vent just above Fissure 8 - 24 Fissure along this line from Kilauea Cauldron
Watched the video of the event on top and added to the blog. Pretty wild. The locals think the government will eventually take over the fissure row and make part of the park. Then charge for tours and such to help fund the park. You can tell not happy about the potential, but we could see their view of the situation.
Melissa relaxing from her 4th trip up to the top as I watched the video.
If you watch the video you'll see we are standing right above the main lava flow origin spot.
870 acres of new island and 700 homes destroyed
After the tour we visited Melissa's recommended watering hole the Coco Cantina for their Diablo wings and drinks. Plan was to kill an hour plus so we get to Kilauea cauldron after dark. Best viewing and as early birds depart so parking will be better according to Melissa.
After some wings, tequilas, beer and margaritas we made the hour trek to Volcano National Park to drive the rim and catch the views.
Unfortunately the lava in the cauldron has cooled such there was no glow. We had heard due to a local older gentleman dying from a 100 ft fall earlier in the day the road to get closer was closed. We later found out the road was probably closed due to the volcano being active. Our hope is to get back during day if possible. Also, Kilauea is not the tallest mountain on the island. Learned a lot today.
Two hour trek back to the hotel. Patio beverage and bed time after the disappointment of not seeing the lava glow from the cauldron. Oh well.
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