Waterfalls Abound with a Black Beach and Volcano Bonus

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Trying to take it easy on the Guinea Pigs by combining two days into one post (actually just unable to figure it out yesterday). So, we have a trip to the northeast of the Island on Wednesday returning via saddle road followed by a looong day on Thursday. The second day involved a tour to the southwest and south of the Island to see a black sand beach and the resident volcano. BTW, L&G how are your son and BB progressing with hosting the SEC Championship Party?

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Photos

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While driving through a small town toward the northeast side of the island Bird exclaimed "there is something at the top of that mountain; it's the observatory". So, HP whipped out the telephoto lens and behold she is correct. These telescopes are a long way away and just under 14,000 feet up.

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A Tsunami occurred here in 1946 claiming the lives of 24 students and teachers. This lava is at the water's edge.

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Our first waterfall (okay actually three).

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Second waterfall

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Third waterfall, oops that's Bird. This is 180 degrees from where the waterfall is located with the Pacific below.

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The waterfall of all waterfalls, at least so far. It is fully as impressive in person freefalling a full 442 feet to the pool below.

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This name of this waterfall is Rainbow as in the morning rainbows are seen. We are here in the later afternoon, so no rainbow. We may be able to return Sunday morning. We'll see. Look below and to the left of the water where a lava cave is present. Yep, a few years ago lava gushed here.

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This is along the Saddle Road traversing the island. An entirely different island here. We are a bit under 7000 feet with the temp being 60 degrees. The mountain in the background is Mauna Kea standing at almost 14,000 feet. This is where the observatory is located.

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Our Black Sand Beach with a bonus of green sea turtles.

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Another wonderful bonus on the beach is a Bird. The beach is actually sandy (well, a little coarse) being formed by explosive volcanic forces.

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Following in the tracks of lava. A few years ago lava flowed through this tube.

The highlight of the day is viewing the most active volcano in the world, Kilauea. Look closely where stars are visible in the background. There was also an active ocean entry some miles south of here, but we imagine it got wind of our arrival, and is now inactive.