Day 3 - Hawaiian Volcanos National Park

 

Volcano, HI

The morning started off slow - it was definitely colder and misting near the park. Very cool AirBnb with a patio:

We managed to pack and get out just before 10am - headed right to Kilauea Iki Trailhead to start our hike. We probably should have stopped for water. Or looked at the length of the hike. Or done any more research on it because I'm not convinced that was a moderate 400 elevation change hike. But, it was absolutely worth it. We did the half mile to the Lava Tube:

Then headed down into the crater valley to get lost in the lava fields. Charlie skipped and went back up the way we came. Everyone hiked at their own pace - great for us elderly folks who have knee, ankle, hip, and back issues. 

That is what we hiked across - zoom in to see the tiny people.

She made it!

We then went to the Volcano House for lunch - thought we were going to have an hour wait and were ready to leave, but Charlie and I found a separate spot that would seat us right away. So this was our lunch view:

After lunch, we MAY have stopped at the local winery and bought one of each of the wines - I'm looking forward to trying the Macadamia Nut-Honey wine and the tea-infused wine. 

Then off to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park. Turtles!

We headed to the Club Wyndham Resort in Kona - where we will stay for a week. Our room is next to one of the pool/hot tubs, the pool bar does not appear to be open, and I think I now know what a mongoose looks like because there were 5 of them staring at me by the garbage. Dan, Hayden, and I ran to the store for some essentials, and that was the end of our day.

Today's Lessons:

1. If you are doing the trail loop, start on the left - it has a winding decline and then the incline on the way back up is near straight up with rails, but by the end of that hike, that's so much better than a long, slow, incline up. My opinion, of course. 

2.  Go shopping before you hit an part of the park - it will save you $ in the long run. A box of granola bars, a container of peanut butter pretzel bites, a 20oz soda, and a coffee: $40.

3. Pit stops can be the best.

4. The Big Island is soooo much different than Oahu. Much different vibe. Much more relaxed.

5. Double check your bathroom before you checkout - otherwise you have to bring out the backup butt wipes...

Up Next: Dan and I get to celebrate our 3 year anniversary out of state - keeping the trend going. A luau and some manta rays? 

🎈