Kilauea Volcano

We were all anxious to experience a volcano on Hawaii so a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was in order.  Kilauea has been called the "drive up volcano" because it is the most accessible volcano in the world.  At the moment there is no lava flowing into or towards the sea and there is no flowing lava accessible by foot or by car.  Too bad for us, but there is still plenty to see of interest, and the robust plumb of volcanic gas is a dramatic reminder of the molten rock churning in a lava lake within

the Halema'uma'u crater.

We put a picnic lunch in a back pack and hiked the 4 mile Iki trail in a nearby crater that blew in 1959.  

First part of the trail took us along the crater rim through a lush rain forest full of bird song. . .the canopy was so thick we only got fleeting glances of any birds. . .

Such a contrast, gentle orchids growing at the edge

Then down onto the crater floor to circle back through  a moonscape of cinder rock and lava.

We can see the gas plume from the active volcano over the cinder cone hill and our trail in front of it.

Life was starting to happen here after 50+ years, but still pretty inhospitable. Fumaroles still seeping up through the cracks.

  The end of the trail took us back up the rim and then through a short lava tube and then back to the trailhead.  

 We are learning to do things early in the day because late afternoon it clouds up and rains.  As it did again today, but we were on our way back by that time.  Stopped for dinner at the Manago Hotel and restaurant for some local comfort food.  Entrie and three sides served with authentic retro experience. Apparently been in the same family since 1917.

Day hiking in Waipio Valley

We recovered from our travels, got our bearings and today we were ready to get out and see some of this gorgeous island.  Drove north to Waimea and then to Waipio Valley.  As we are coming through the town of Waimea, the sky looked threatening up ahead and even rained a bit.  We thought sure the coast was going to be fogged in but as we approached our destination, it all seemed to blow over and the sun came out to showcase this lush, green, tropical gem.  Our friends from Tucson had recommended we see the valley with a horse back trail ride but we didn't get our act together enough to do that.  The only other way into the valley is a 4-wheel drive, very steep (25% grade) road. . .which we hiked down instead.  

This was one of our rewards.  Another was the beautiful black sand beach.

where we enjoyed our picnic lunch before we headed back up.  Was quite the pull out again.  Was a mile down but surely it was 3 miles back up!!  

Day one!

We finally made it.  We had a very short night in Honalulu because we were booked on a 6am flight to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Was a quick 45 minute flight.  Picked up our rental car and made our way the few miles to our condo which is right on the shore.  Pretty nice, in fact we are so close that it could be that the crashing waves on the rocky shore might keep us awake at night.  

We just crashed for the day and soaked it all in.  Spotted this big sea turtle right off the deck.  Went out to find a grocery store and did a late breakfast at a local restaurant in the village.  Look who joined us!  Sauntered right onto our table and proceeded to slurp up a bit of grape jelly.  He doesn't look real, he is so brightly "painted."  Got to figure out what kind of gecko he is.

Waiting for the sun to set.  So fun to hang out with Steph.

Hawaii

We are off to Hawaii!

Well, first leg from Phoenix to San Francisco was great. . .and then the flight to Honolulu had mechanical problems.  Oh dear.  Sat on the tarmack for two hours before they decided to get a new plane so back in the terminal for another four hours.

For all our trouble they gave us a $7 meal voucher. . .how generous.  Stephanie got there all the way from Indianapolis just fine.  So now she is waiting for us.  We already missed our connecting flight to Kona.  Means a night on Oahu, but unfortunatly a short night.  So we are hanging out next to a plug in on the floor so we can charge up our "stuff."

  The airline did pay for our hotel in Honolulu. 

Lia's school picture

I would say school pictures have changed since my kids had their yearly photo shoot!  And this one is a preschool picture!  She looks so grown up, where is my grandbaby?!?

Bobcat

Sitting outside on the patio late in the afternoon reading and enjoying the cool down from a 100 degree day when Will just happened to look up and see this Bobcat!  He just quietly leaped up onto the wall, looked around to survey his surroundings and then settled down for a short nap!  Amazing.  We were afraid to move or we would frighten him, we just gaped in awe!!  He made absolutly no noise, we could have missed him so easily.  It was a magical moment.

 

Shower

Will has been spending every waking hour since we got back from Utah working on this mobile shower unit.  If he hasn't been physically working on it, he has been planning and thinking about it.

That's Will and Andy, and don't miss Steve up under the shelter working on the door.  Phil is inside installing something.

He has been involved with a new mission initiative at our church to reach out to the homeless in Tucson.  One of the critical needs of the people living on the street, or in thier cars is a place to clean up, and get a shower.  The church purchased a used unit--in fact, Will and I stopped in Houston last December on our way to Steph's for Christmas to check it out--and it was finally transported to Tucson.  It is well used and needed lots of cosmetic fixing up and also some repair and maintence to get it to serve our purpose.  It looked pretty sad when it arrived but it is coming together really nicely.  Lots of talented people have come on board to help with the repairs.  On Sunday we are planning a "shower shower" to show it off to congregation and obtain donated items like towels, soaps, new underware, etc.

  We will be partnering with other churchs and organizations around town to locate it where needed.  Lots of logistic details to work out, yet.

Out birding

We took a day off of everything and went birding!  We were up before daylight because we needed to drive about an hour and a half to the San Pedro preserve near Sierra Vista.  Best birding is always early, before it heats up for the day--plus we needed time to stop for breakfast at "Reb's" in Benson. We picked a good day as the incessant wind we have been having didn't pick up until we were ready to leave plus the birds were most cooperative.  Migrants to residents, they were all showing up.  This Yellow Breasted Chat, one of several we saw, was particularily showing off.  They are usually not so easy to spot but he was sitting up high and in the clear.  They have a three part call that makes me laugh,  one part tin whistle, one part rattle and one part silly churp, you can usually hear them easy enough but not always easy to find.

  Another reason we got up so early is because I goofed and set my alarm for 4:30am instead of 5:30!  You can imagine how pleased Will was.  Then in fumbling to turn the alarm off, I hit the sooze button so 10 minutes later it went off again!  So we were up!!

Double Exposure at Toscana Gallery.

I sumitted a potfolio and was invited to participate in Toscana Gallery's newest show.  They paired 2D and 3D artists with a photograph at random and the charge was to create something that the photo inspired.  I didn't win any cash prizes but it was a lot of fun and was a fun thing to do.  I tried several things but finally settled on a clay decorative tray with horses in relief.   It displayed really nicely, I was pleased.

Home through Salt River Canyon

Up early, short stroll along Fool Hollow lake shore to view an abundance of birds. . .and then it was time to head for home.  Took a scenic route through Salt River Canyon, Globe, Winklemen, Oracle and Maya Court.  There was haze and smoke in the air from forest fires burning near Alpine.  Other than that it was a beautiful day of driving Arizona high country.

Salt River Canyon haze.

Home by noon.  All is well.  Spent rest of day unloading, laundry, putting things away (feels like we took enough along for a whole summer instead of two weeks,) and making lists for the rest of the week.  Back to life in Tucson!! Great travels.  Life is good.

Coming home

We said our good bye's last night as both were anxious to get an early start this morning.  We managed one last hug this morning and parted.  We headed south and made one more stop at Canyonlands NP South entrance to see the sights there. The park is divided by the Colorado River and its almost like two parks because the two entrances are something like 75 miles apart.  We wanted to at least drive in and see what we could see from the park road.  Lots of wildflowers, lots of rocks and formations but it does have a different look than the other section.

Had to take a picture of "Dutch Shoe Arch."

Onward to Arizona and home.  Made it as far as Showlow and Fool Hollow Campground, one of our favorite places.  Was a long day driving but spent it remembering all we had done these past two weeks.  We packed a lot in, and came away with forever memories with some dear friends.  We miss Jack and Wanda already!!

At Fool Hollow Lake

Last day in Moab

We are parting ways in the morning, we'll be heading home and Jack and Wanda will be heading to Colorado to see two of thier grandchildren.  We decided on the spur of the moment to try to book a jeep ride for our last day here.  We were able to get a sunset ride from Dan Mick's 4X4 tours.  It turned out to be quite a ride.  We were not that far from downtown Moab, on the top of the mesa behind downtown at the "world famous" (direct quote from our guide) Hell's Revenge.  I am no expert on off road vehicles, but even I could see that this was no ordinary jeep!! It was quite the experience.  We climbed over boulders that were higher that the hood, it did not look possible. Pictures can't capture it.

Here is one out the front window.  The black marks ahead are tire tracks showing where to go.  We also stopped to see dinasaur tracks and some pretty nice views and oh yes, the sunset.

Warm in Moab

Not that anyone is complaining about the heat in Moab. . .but it has warmed up, considerably.  Wind seems to have diminished also.  Jack's grand-niece, Maria arrived for an extended day and we all enjoyed having her join us.  We hiked up Negro Bill Canyon in the afternoon because the discription said it was a moderate trail with lots of shade.  Was mostly true, and fun trail to Morning Glory Bridge which is an arch set way back over a huge box canyon.  Fresh water was pouring out of a crack in the cliff wall, never had seen anything quite like it.  A group of young people were repelling down off the arch, which was pretty fun to sit and watch.  One guy had a little dog in a pack on his back which was pretty funny.  The dog was loving it all.

Hard to see that it is really an arch until you get right under it and see that is actually separated a couple of feet from the canyon wall.  Cool, shady little spot back there.

Wild flowers were showing all over the place.  Best we've seen. . .most variety anyway.  Especially fun to find the red claret cup cactus.

This morning we drove out to Arches National Park for a couple of hours before Marie had to head back to Salt Lake.  Stopped at pull offs on the road and did some short walks to a couple of points.

Wanda and Marie

Relaxing in Moab

Just doin' stuff this morning.  Jack and Wanda's neice is driving over from Salt Lake area for the day and we are hanging around waiting for her to get here.  Will took the opportunity to wash the RV as it was in bad shape from weather we had gone through.  Down time is a good thing, we really have been packing a lot into our days on this trip.

We drove up into the Island in the Sky portion of Canyonlands yesterday for some short hikes and grand views.

We have to name all of these strange formations we see. . .somebody spied Kokopelli in that hole in the rock.  

This is at the Grand View overlook.  The Colorado and Green River confluence is out  there somewhere!

From the mind-boggling to the sublime.

You can't forget to look down because there is amazing scenes of life struggling to survive everywhere.

Moab is really busy this week.  We had a hard time finding a campground that had space for us.  This is outdoor adventure land and now is the time before temps get so hot.  This is off-road and mountain bike paradise for those so inclined.  Hiking trails forever.  There is a surprising amount of green and flowers that no doubt get burnt up in the hot Moab summers.  We are wearing shorts today for the first time.