Volcanoes

On Saturday Jake, Meg, Bret, and Calvin all headed home. The rest of us stayed in Hawaii for a few other adventures.  Once we checked out of the resort we had to stick around long enough for the kids to do the daily craft. Today was the sea glass bracelet (which was really a bracelet with beads from Amazon). The bracelets looked cool and the kids had been looking forward to this craft all week. Kristin and Alison even made bracelets as well. 

After the craft, it was time to drive across the island. We voted and opted for the slightly longer drive that would take us past the Malasada food truck. It was 100% the right choice. The malasadas were made fresh to order and really hit the spot. And it only added ~20 minutes to the drive. 

The drive was mostly uneventful except for one scary road rage incident. In one town I needed to turn left, but I was in the wrong lane. There was no one behind the car next to us so I turned on my blinker and was going to wait for them to pass to get over. They weren’t going and I looked over they were looking at me. I thought they were kind and letting me in so I waved and merged over. Apparently, this is not what they wanted as they immediately laid on their horn very aggressively. They went ballistic pulling up next to us screaming and flipping us off. We ignored them and they cut us off, which was fine. I was not about to engage. Fortunately, they sped up and left us behind which was fine by me. 

The rest of the drive was really nice. We were looping around the island's edge so we stayed close to the coast, which offered great views. As we were driving we came across a sign for Akaka Falls. We decided to take a small detour and follow the signs. It was well worth the stop. The falls were beautiful and we had a nice short hike through a rainforest. We also saw an imposing banyan tree. It was a great activity to get the kids out of the car and break up the drive. 

We continued our drive to the Aloha Crater Lodge. It is a charming bed and breakfast right outside of Volcanoes National Park. Each room is unique - the girls loved their room because it had a little daybed. Alison and I were in the Orchid room. This room had a massive terrarium, and a large lava rock shower, and was decorated with Christian sayings and mermaid erotica. It was quite the room. The location was perfect and it was a comfortable place to stay. 

That night we headed into the national park where we had dinner at the Volcano House. The last time we were at Volcanoes we at here and I loved it so I was excited to return. It did not disappoint. The food was exceptional and we got to eat it while overlooking a smoldering volcano. It is hard to beat that ambiance. For dessert, we shared a bunch of molten chocolate cakes - of course!

The next morning we took it a little slow. Shortly after Alison got up and ready for the day there was a little knock on the door. It was the kiddos - they wanted Alison to make them some hot chocolate. Of course, we obliged. We have especially loved spending time with our nieces on this trip. Once everyone was up we headed to the nearby Lava Rock Cafe for breakfast. 

After breakfast, we headed into the national park. We started out at the visitor's center so Skylee and Anna could sign up for the Junior Ranger program. Anna could not have been less interested. She really wanted her mom to buy her a toy from the visitor's center, but she didn't like any of the toys. She actually wanted a toy from the Lava House. She kept saying she wanted to go to the other visitor's center, so Alison and I walked her over to the Lava House and bought her a mermaid stuffie. She was thrilled. 

Then we began exploring the park. We stopped at some steam vents and visited the Halema’uma’u crater. Skylee really needed to know how deep the crater was for her Junior Ranger packet and she found a Park Ranger but had to listen to a very long history of the major eruptions of this volcano before she could ask her question. 

Anna took this picture

Anna took this picture

Anna took this picture

Anna took this picture. Right before she snapped it she said "Say Aloha!"

Next, we visited the Lava Tube. To get there you do a short hike through the rainforest. The Lava Tube is pretty awesome and the kids loved it. 

Then we drove the Chain of Craters Road. It was spectacular. 

Nēnē or the Hawaiian goose

Nēnē or the Hawaiian goose

After the drive, we had seen most of what Volcanoes had to offer. We headed back to the visitor's center so Skylee could be sworn in as a Junior Ranger. The Ranger was great, after checking Skylee's work she announced to everyone in the visitor's center that Skylee was the newest Junior Ranger. 

Then we drove into Hilo and got dinner at Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine. It was excellent and the kids loved that all the waiters and waitresses were wearing Halloween costumes. Across the street was a shaved ice place, Wilson's By the Bay. So of course we popped over and had some. They had maybe the best-shaved ice I have ever tasted - it was so good. 

That was a good way to end the trip. Then we bid Hawaii farewell and after a long journey made it home. Alison and I were pretty excited because this was the first trip where we came home to our new house.