At first I wasn’t impressed with Hawai’i volcanoes national park. We paid an entry fee and drove to an active volcano viewing area. Because of safety concerns – you know, because of the active volcano and all – we could only get a certain distance away from the smoldering opening.
So after 30 minutes in the park, this was the best photo I was able to take. Good, but afar. Far from great.
Because I can act like a spaz when I don’t get my way, I told Mrs. Jeffsetter that this national park sucked and we should just go do something else that day.
Thankfully, Mrs. Jeffsetter told me to suck it up and go to the other points of interest. I’m sure glad we did.
While at some point I hope to turn our day into a photo essay, for today I just wanted to show you one of the many beautiful sights from within the national park. These lava fields were majestic and all encompassing.
You can see where the lava flowed down the cliff, and see signs of destruction from its path.
But even better? You can see signs of plant life poking through the volcanic rock and trying to assume their rightful place in the world.
To the plants of Hawai’i, Lava is just a mere hindrance. A phase. An inconvenience.
Soon this area will be consumed by plant life once again. Not soon by human standards, but a minute on the evolutionary scale.
Hawai’i is a great reminder that our time is short. Might as well get the most out of it.
And yes, I feel pretty stupid for my initial reaction to the park. It was so much more than viewing a smoking crater from two football fields away.
It was a lifeline to futures past.
It’s been 20+ years, but when I was first there some lava flow (a few feet wide) was easing over a flatter area. I was within three of it and watched it ooze along for about 45 minutes, At one point it started to drizzle, which of course was instantly steam as it hot the lava. When I went a year later it was just flowing into the ocean. There was a huge steam cloud, but no close-up opportunities.
I just finished the spend on the Barclay Hawaiian credit for 50K miles. I am getting the urge to head to Hawaii for my third time. It’s been too ling away.
You should definitely go – Hawaii is an amazing place!
ling = long
If your entire park experience consisted of staying in your car or within 100 meters of pavement then, yes, that’s about the best photo you’ll have of a volcano. Hike through Kilauea Iki (and don’t just stand at the rim) for better photos.
I did hike down into the canyon. Was awesome (super hot too). Just haven’t had time to process all of the photis
I camped here with a friend this past September for 3 nights; it was definitely one of the best camping experiences I’ve had. At night you can walk around and see the glow of the lava. It was also very foggy the nights we stayed – walking through the sulfur trail was also very cool at night. I believe the park is open all day and night; you can drive in during the night and pay the entrance fee at a drop off center, as there’s no one working the toll stations…. or you can not pay ;)