Abby's school is very cool.
They tacked February 14th onto the 3 day Presidents weekend
and we had 4 days available to play. We flew over to the "Big Island" where we were pampered by our sweet friends, Steve and Candice Raymond.
They fled Bostons weather and stress to live
on the slopes of a volcano in Kona.
The Raymond's home is a delight for the senses.
The furnishings are simple and elegant, allowing
the art and antiques to draw the eye.
But the eyes are usually diverted to the massive floor to ceiling windows
in the rear of the house that look over the coastline away to Maui.
The air is filled with flowery scents
and the smell of Candy's good cooking. As the sun begins its morning journey over the home, the birds begin to sing on cue.
It was magical.
I could have stayed there contentedly for the duration
but there was much we wanted to see.
We booked a snorkel trip for Friday afternoon out to
Kealakekua Bay. For history nerds like me, that's where
Captain Cook met his demise. On February 14, 1779.
That's right, we were there on February 14th. I am awesome that way.
Death would not to be our fate on this day.
We saw whales on the smooth journey,
the reef was beautiful and the water was calm.
Bet Captain Cooks journal entry was not that positive on his February 14th.
I think it was probably something like:
"Couldn't get the parts to fix my ship, locals stole a long boat, must go ashore and take king hostage so I can get my boat back. Wool itches."
But I digress.
Saturday, we spent the day on the road, traversing
the "dry" side of the island.
Abby was not too keen on spending the day in the backseat
of a Subaru Forester, sandwiched between two old women,
with two professorheads in the front
talking science nonstop for 6 hours.
We made our way to Mauna Kea, second highest point in Hawaii.
Mauna Loa is higher, I don't know why that is important.
Mauna Kea is where they have built the biggest and largest array of telescopes in the world. The air is free of pollutants, this is where they look deep, deep, into space.
If you're still mad about science dissing Pluto,
these are the people who did it.
After Abby's very favorite day, which included a stop at
a wood carving and art exhibit, we finished with
a dip in the hot tub and an early night.
We were accompanied to church on Sunday by Steve, who has
immense curiosity about us Mormons.
We then said goodbyes and thank yous and headed over to the "wet"
side where our next adventure awaited.
But here's where I have to walk a fine line.
We have other dear friends who moved to Hilo recently.
The very talanted and adventurous husband volunteered
to take us to where the lava was flowing on Kilauea.
Technically, you are not allowed to travel to that area,
but many people do.
Our friend is a photographer and has been to the site
many times over the last year.
We met up at 9:30 pm and drove into Volcano National Park
where we parked and hiked about 2 miles to the lava lake.
Ok, so this was one of the coolest things
I have ever seen.
This was primal and exquisite. I didn't want to leave.
The last time I felt such awe for a creation
I was in the Borghese Gallery in Rome beholding
Bernini's sculpture of Apollo and Daphne.
God is the Master Artist.
I will not mention our dear friends name, I wouldn't want to
incriminate him online. We spent several hours the next days
with him and his lovely young family. They have a great new home, 4 beautiful children, a chameleon and a cat.
It was wet, chaotic, and wonderful.
Our last adventure before flying back to Honolulu
was a trip to Punalu'u Beach. By now, Abby had developed
a nasty cold and her spirit of adventure was ebbing fast.
But we wanted her to experience a black sand beach and
Punalu'u is gorgeous.
This entry was purely a travelogue,
I make no apologies but I am sympathetic.
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