16 Nov 2019
Today, we explored Volcanoes National Park and hiked across this Caldera!
It started as a nice hike through a jungly-rainforest. Lots of shade and cool breezes!
Even though it looked flat from a distance, it was actually quite crumply.
Super-sunny, but there was a nice breeze!
Plants even managed to grow here!
Halfway through the hike
I love my floppy hat, but it’s inner brim occasionally goes kinda dorky 🙁
Those shrapneled stones look like they would make nice additions to that cairn (or ahu) in the background:
We made it to the end!!!
We hiked that!
And we made it back up and out!
Farewell, caldera!
Caldera with Mauna Loa in the background:
Nēnē!!! (Hawaiian goose, do not hit)
Not the brightest bulbs, but still pretty!
Heading down toward the coast
Mauna Loa over old lava flows:
Newer lava flow over older lava flow:
cool lava formation:
Hōlei Sea Arch (note to self, visit in the morning for better pictures):
Steep cliffs along the coast:
Matt was done with walking, so I explored the petroglyphs on my own:
Found some pretty flowers along the way:
Steam vents! They felt awesome as it was only like 60 something on the mountain (and yes, I realize that’s not all that cold)
Kīlauea caldera:
No active lava right now:
This is where the lava used to be before it drained out last year.
