Kilauea is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world, but like Hawaii, it's laid-back (most of the time). Most active volcanoes are not something you drive to and spend a day exploring - you usually get out of their way! But not this volcano -- first, we spent some time hiking around the crater, and in the evening had a lovely dinner at the Volcano House Restaurant with a great view of the volcano.Then, as evening fell, we watched as the smoke plume turned from white to pink and eventually red. For the final event, we left the restaurant and drove closer to have a look into the "belly of the beast" -- the lava lake in the centre of the crater! On the way to Kilauea, we stopped at the end of the ... read more

As we were driving to another wonderful snorkeling spot, David exclaimed, "I haven't worn socks for a week!" After living through one of the coldest winters in 30 years, going without socks for a week is worth mentioning. Not only, have we not worn socks for a week, we haven't worn pants, or sweaters, or parkas, or mitts, or ... life is just easier. We've been in Hawaii for over a week and this is my first post. There is so much I could write, but where to start? How about the weather? Well, the first day was a little overcast, but warm, the next day was sunny and warm (between 78 & 84 degrees Fahrenheit -- I can't even think in Celsius anymore), the next day was sunny and warm, the next day was ... ... read more

Cypress Hills Provincial Park rises up out of the prairie. It is the highest point in Canada between Labrador and the Rocky Mountains. During the last ice age, this land was one of the few areas not covered by glaciers. Today there are species of plants that are found only in this area. We drove to a high cliff and watched a storm roll across the prairies. As a child, I remember our whole family watching summer storms especially at our cabin at Buffalo Lake -- the booming thunder, incredible lightening strikes and driving rain. I love the movies, but my memories of nature’s shows are seared into my mind.... read more

So I thought we tried to see everything the first day! Today, we actually did! Norris Geyser Basin is like walking through The Land that Time Forgot. The most recent volcanic eruptions have taken place in this area leaving the earth’s crust very thin. Much of the path system has raised platforms to keep visitors from possibly breaking through into the subterranean labyrinth of boiling water or superheated steam. I love the names of the various thermal features -- Whale’s Mouth, Crackling Lake, Whirligig Geyser, Green Dragon Spring, Hurricane Vent, and Black Hermit Caldron. The air is laced with acidic smells and gurgling, hissing, burbling, popping and sizzling noises. Steamboat Geyser gives off a constant rumble and plume of steam as it shoots water 10 to 40 feet high. However, on the very rare occasion when ... read more

Today we left Glacier and drove about 5 hours to the Lewis and Clark Caverns. We arrived at our campsite around 3:30 pm. Located in a very dry desert area of Montana, it was hot! Over 30 degrees Celsius. We unhooked the trailer, climbed back in the air conditioned truck and headed for somewhere cool -- the caverns. It seemed like a good plan ... but before we got to go underground, we had to walk up a very steep hill (a 500 ft gain) for nearly a half hour in the very hot sun. The tour through the caverns was incredible and deliciously cool! We’ve been through the caves twice before and they are still a thrill. The caves are filled with stalactites and stalagmites and many other wonders that our guide told us about, ... read more