I visited Volcano National Park when you could cross the cooled lava, as well. Personally, wanted to get off that trail because I knew that there was molten lava underneath the bumpy black stuff.
We were staying in the cabins that are on the military base area. We went to a lovely local event at the chow hall. The local children's hula classes were having their recitals.
I wish I would have known about the restaurant. The online menu looks amazing!
I bet the hula recitals were fun--the hula halaus are wonderful--groups of young people of all ages, mostly girls but a few boys, who grow up learning/dancing hula together as they grow up. They are like big families.
I think one can actually view the current eruption from the restaurant itself these days!
Re the lava beneath--on a different visit, Greg and I were walking slowly through the lava bed, and the air seemed really hot--the sun was shining down, but I felt it was unusually warm. Then I looked down about a foot away from the trail and saw the red/yellow glow just under the surface. I realized that the heat was moving upward, not downward from the sun. I think I gasped a bit, then turned around and headed back away from the lava!
I remember in the 80’s when we were on the Big Island photographing for our Flower book. The volcano had started the eruption a couple years before. We drove to the place where r lava was going in the ocean. I felt total and complete awe
Remarkable episode! Thanks for carrying us into the volcano world. I can't figure out if this event is a warning that life is not meant to survive on this planet, or if the hardiness of those plants aren't an assertion that Hey! try your destructiveness if you like, but life is here to stay!
Thanks Dorothy - what an experience! The first time I was on the Big Island (meeting in Kona), we drove south to where Puu-oo was pouring lava into the sea. The road was cut (one of my favourite images was of a STOP sign with just its head sticking out). There were no restrictions and no guides, and people were just gaily hopping over rivers of molten lava, and watching it well up and drip down to the next level. Awesome! Too bad we have no active volcanos in Australia. Jenny Graves
Thanks for your comment, Jenny--I think in those days there wasn't appropriate attention being paid to the safety of people who wanted to see the eruption. In the group we were, there were a couple of young women with thin sandals or flip flops, when sturdy shoes were recommended. Not good! I think the authorities are more careful these days, thank goodness!
Thanks for the comment, Greg--I think we are both sort of addicted to volcanoes! And we both love the town of Volcano, where the goddess Pele inspires many wonderful artists to create beautiful woodwork, jewelry, and painting that's available in the local arts store. Earrings I bought there have been my favorites for years!
I can still feel that itchiness! The wine with dinner definitely calmed the urge to scratch. Totally awesome experience. Great photos!
I visited Volcano National Park when you could cross the cooled lava, as well. Personally, wanted to get off that trail because I knew that there was molten lava underneath the bumpy black stuff.
We were staying in the cabins that are on the military base area. We went to a lovely local event at the chow hall. The local children's hula classes were having their recitals.
I wish I would have known about the restaurant. The online menu looks amazing!
I bet the hula recitals were fun--the hula halaus are wonderful--groups of young people of all ages, mostly girls but a few boys, who grow up learning/dancing hula together as they grow up. They are like big families.
I think one can actually view the current eruption from the restaurant itself these days!
Re the lava beneath--on a different visit, Greg and I were walking slowly through the lava bed, and the air seemed really hot--the sun was shining down, but I felt it was unusually warm. Then I looked down about a foot away from the trail and saw the red/yellow glow just under the surface. I realized that the heat was moving upward, not downward from the sun. I think I gasped a bit, then turned around and headed back away from the lava!
I remember in the 80’s when we were on the Big Island photographing for our Flower book. The volcano had started the eruption a couple years before. We drove to the place where r lava was going in the ocean. I felt total and complete awe
Remarkable episode! Thanks for carrying us into the volcano world. I can't figure out if this event is a warning that life is not meant to survive on this planet, or if the hardiness of those plants aren't an assertion that Hey! try your destructiveness if you like, but life is here to stay!
Jon
Thanks Dorothy - what an experience! The first time I was on the Big Island (meeting in Kona), we drove south to where Puu-oo was pouring lava into the sea. The road was cut (one of my favourite images was of a STOP sign with just its head sticking out). There were no restrictions and no guides, and people were just gaily hopping over rivers of molten lava, and watching it well up and drip down to the next level. Awesome! Too bad we have no active volcanos in Australia. Jenny Graves
Thanks for your comment, Jenny--I think in those days there wasn't appropriate attention being paid to the safety of people who wanted to see the eruption. In the group we were, there were a couple of young women with thin sandals or flip flops, when sturdy shoes were recommended. Not good! I think the authorities are more careful these days, thank goodness!
Such vivid wonderful memories, Dorothy! Thank your for this article!
Diane Bilderback
So neat to see succession happening practically before your eyes - from such a stark, dramatic beginning!
Great story Dorothy! Hello to you and Greg from Mary and I in Wilmington near Wrightsville Beach.
Thanks for the comment, Greg--I think we are both sort of addicted to volcanoes! And we both love the town of Volcano, where the goddess Pele inspires many wonderful artists to create beautiful woodwork, jewelry, and painting that's available in the local arts store. Earrings I bought there have been my favorites for years!