Volcanoes

Photo 178 - March 19

Today started bright and early with a 445a wake up call. We were actually awake already, getting ready to be in the lobby for a 530a pickup to head to the airport for our flight to the big island.

It was raining when we landed in Hilo, but the weather cleared and we were able to take our helicopter flight. We flew over the Pu'u O'o active volcano vent and saw some lava activity and a lot of decimated landscape. We could see roads that are shown in the pictures that have been cut off by lava flow. There is quite a bit of equipment surrounding the active site to take readings and keep track of current activity. We also got to see some beautiful waterfalls.

After our helicopter flight, we got a car and drove up into the Volcanoes National Park and did some more looking on foot. We were even able to take the mile plus hike down to the Kilauea Iki Crater. Walking through the rain forest on the way down showed us lots of vegetation, including ferns with fiddleheads as big as Dale's hand. It was amazing to see the desolation once we reached the bottom, along with the plants growing right out of the lava rock..

And this awesome day was capped off by being able to come back to the hotel and meet Ray and Bow for a late supper. Tomorrow looks to be another busy day.

I found Wi-Fi!

Photo 177 - March 18

OK, it only took me 5 days to figure out that if I use my computer in the hotel lobby, there's free Wi-Fi. I guess they leave all that literature laying around for you to read for a reason. I just never picked up the right thing to read until this morning. But after waiting what seems like an eternity for photos to load, I might just go back to my phone. There are a couple more steps but it is much faster on the uploading.

Today we did a lot of walking around and taking in the sites. We've figured out that staying at an all-inclusive offers many more opportunities for recreation, since we are more likely to take advantage when they're not charging by the hour. Even beach chairs and umbrellas are rented on Waikiki Beach. Needless to say, we're saving our pennies for other opportunities. Tomorrow we are flying to Hawaii to take a helicopter tour of the volcanoes and waterfalls. I am keeping my fingers crossed and saying a couple prayers that the weather cooperates, since we have had clouds and sprinkles mostly every day. The sunset picture I am including is the best we've had so far. Dale was talking to some people when I was taking the pictures who have said they've come down to the beach every day for a week and are still waiting.

I could take pictures of flowers every day, since there are so many in bloom and they are so unique. This is truly a beautiful place to visit.

Enjoying the sunshine

Photo 176 - March 17

No rain today! I'm still waiting to see my sunrise or sunset...but it's been cloudy so we haven't seen either one yet. We did enjoy some time on the beach today, along with piña coladas and Mai Tais.

Touring Oahu

Photo 175 - March 16

Today we decided to rent a car and do some driving around the island. Dale was sad to find out that all they had left were Mustangs - and convertibles to boot. It was a pretty cool way to cruise around. The weather was still a little iffy today, and we did get drizzles on a couple times, but that hasn't stopped either of us from accumulating some sunburn.

First day in paradise

Photo 174 - March 15

We woke up to a cloudy morning with drizzle, but that eventually gave way to a beautiful day. The first two pictures are a couple shots from our balcony. We are on the 8th floor and the balcony wraps around the corner of the building. We took a walk and of course ended up looking at boats. I don't think I've ever seen so many masts. And the last shot is one I took playing with my new lens and looking up into the trees.

At the airport

Photo 173 - March 14

After a nerve wracking first two legs of my trip (my flight to Chicago was delayed before it started and I nearly sprinted through the O'Hare airport to make my connection) I finally found Dale in Los Angeles after he cleared customs. Little did he know that Kayla and the kids came up from San Diego to see him and to see us off. It was a short visit, but very nice.

I'm doing this blogging from my phone, because I can't see paying $10 a day for Internet, so hopefully everything comes through as it should. The pictures are taken on my 60D and I'm importing them into my phone to post. Ahhhh technology...

Moving Back In

Photo 172 - March 13

Well it seems like forever, but furniture is finally moving back to where it belongs, albeit slowly. Last night, Jeff, Kyle and Dan came down and moved the piano and the television back into the living room. That not only started to refurnish the living room, but it also let me reclaim my kitchen, where both of those items had been living since November. Once I get back, it will be work, work, work to try to get the house back together before Dale's time overseas is over.

I will do my best to blog while I'm gone, but without dedicated internet, my posts may be a little spotty. The pictures will be taken every day, they just might be posted in chunks. I am very excited to have all of Hawaii to photograph - I think I will be in sensory overload!