June 12

We started today out very early, like 4:00 AM early! We wanted to watch the sunrise from the most eastern part of Hawaii. There is a lighthouse, not really a house, but rather a tower, on the eastern shore. However, with that being said, it isn’t easy to get there. Andrew‘s directions had us going down a dirt road. We did follow the directions, and landed up literally at the end of the road, with a barrier in place, but beyond the barrier was a 10 foot tall wall of lava—a lava field! This area did have a lava flow in 1960, and they were worried about the lighthouse but miraculously the lava flow split when it got to lighthouse and went on either side. The town did not fare as well. There were also two vehicles parked at this barrier that looked abandoned? There was a hammock in the tree, that could have been holding someone, but we weren’t sure. The vehicles’ doors were all open and that’s a little strange we thought. Anyway, we did turn around, and found a place to park next to the ocean, and watched the sunrise. It was amazing even without the lighthouse.

We headed back to our hotel for breakfast. Then we went in search of snorkel gear. Yesterday when we checked in, the guy at the desk told us where to find snorkels, but when we got there she had just closed so we couldn’t borrow them. Today when we got to the desk we were informed that the guy working the booth wasn’t coming in until 8:45. I looked at her and must’ve looked sad because she said that she was sorry. I told her the gal yesterday said that they would be open at seven. She miraculously found pairs of snorkel gear for Andrew and I to use. We drove down to Carlsmith Beach Park and we waded in, figured out how to put on our snorkel gear and breathe through our mouths.  I kept hearing my brother-in-law Gregg‘s advice when we did this the first time: you’re going to feel like you’re hyperventilating, but relax, it will get easier. Breathe through your mouth.   It has been quite a long time since we’ve done it so it took a little bit of practice to become comfortable again, but there were some adorable fish, and, lo and behold, I had just popped my head up when a turtle swam by. I didn’t get to see it under the water, but I did get to see it swimming by because it was literally 6 inches from me. They say he is a “resident” turtle and his name is either Radar or Crackers depending on who you talk to you. It was very cool.

Unfortunately, we had to leave as it was time to get back to the hotel, get packed up, and get checked out. We were planning on going to Volcano National Park.  We made the drive in good time, and spent the afternoon driving the Chain of Craters road, and hopping in and out of the car to look at craters (BIG ones, smaller ones, some already filled in with trees and vegetation, steam vents (holy cow!), lava flows (HOLY COW!), stone arches on the shore line, petroglyphs of early Hawaiians that are about 700 years old (etchings in the lava flows that depict their life and culture), and lots of cool stuff in between.  It’s hard to wrap your head around lava flows and steam vents—the lava flows/fields are amazing.  Some are smooth, some rippled, some literally rocks that seemingly looked just tossed about.  Some old enough that they are actually hosting vegetation again.  The pictures we’ve included just can’t explain it well! And steam vents are just that, but our EARTH has cracks in it that allow this super hot steam to escape!! 

At the visitor’s center, I got a stamp for my national parks’ passport book, and actually bought a sea turtle quilt pattern. There was a lady out front that Mary would have been proud of as her stitches were very tiny! I really wanted to get back into quilting again, and now, being retired, I think I can do that!

We then headed to the eastern side as we had a Luau to attend! The pig was roasted under the ground as tradition dictates, and everything else was delish.  The desserts were okay.  We sat with a couple from Michigan, she a former teacher that just lost her job when the powers-that-be decided to eliminate the adult education program she’d been part of for years and years. It seems every state doesn’t pay teachers that well or just gets rid of important programs.  I think she said at one point she taught sixth grade, but I might be mistaken. She did say she also taught family and consumer science during her career. Her husband actually was from Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated from Purdue in 1976–so just a little older. Small world. Their daughter is a nurse and their son-in-law was just starting his residency in family medicine. I tried to put in a plug for Dubois County as we can use more doctors!  Also sitting at the table were some honeymooners, her from Arkansas and he from Minnesota I think. He was just starting medical school in Virginia, so they were moving there after the honeymoon. He thins surgery but was t sure yet.  The last person at our table was a young gentleman from Beijing. He had spent the last four years attending high school in a small private school in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia area. He was getting ready to attend UCLA in the fall. His parents had come over now and they were vacationing around the Hawaiian Islands before they all went back to Beijing. He was quite fascinating to talk to you.

The show was quite interesting, demonstrating several of the hula dancing that tells stories. If you really listen to the words and watch the dancers you can tell that it’s sort of a sign language that’s put to music. Quite beautiful. The fire dance was quite amazing as I am not sure how he didn’t start on fire! Or start anything else on fire!  It turns out he was a world champion fire dancer! 

We headed to a little town down the road about an hour to find our Airbnb. We are now settled in for the night, and tomorrow awaits.

Pet peeve:  if you are a big business such as a big hotel chain (!), have someone spellcheck your signs before you have a bunch made!! Womens and Mens are not correct!!! They need apostrophes!! They are already plural so no “s” is needed for either word, and we are talking restrooms here, so possessive!  Of course, I could be wrong as I haven’t taught English in a few years, but I don’t think so.