Big Island of Hawai'i 2003 Trip, Volcanoes Area

View of Big Island of Hawai'i



We have always enjoyed the awesome scenery of the volcanoes area of Hawai'i. In the past, we have hiked the Kilauea Iki crater floor, and visited several parts of the Kilauea crater area. Always awesome and interesting. In August 2002, Sandi was on a business trip to Hawai'i, and had the remarkable experience of walking out to the active lava flow south of Chain of Craters Road. The view is beyond description at night, with the glow of molten lava flowing as a river. Makes you feel small. I've included some of her photos here for comparison.

We tried to see the lava during this June 2003 trip, but the flow had moved too far from the road for us. It was at least 2 miles from the end of the road, and we could only manage a walk of about 1 mile, over broken fresh lava under a scorching sun. It was still quite an experience. Turns out that we were near the "Mothers Day" flow on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Note that these photos include scenes of the Kilauea Iki crater. The current appearance is the result of the spectacular 1959 eruption of Kilauea Iki; WikiPedia information on Kilauea Iki eruption.



More information is available on the Big Island Trip in 2003.

CLICK ON THE THUMBNAIL IMAGES TO VIEW A LARGER IMAGE

Burned Sign shows the power of the flowing lava -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Burned Sign shows the power of the flowing lava]


[Road Covered in Lava [it just ends]]

Road Covered in Lava [it just ends] -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Offering to Pele [on the left side of the lava bank] -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Offering to Pele [on the left side of the lava bank]]


[Bob [sweltering]]

Bob [sweltering] -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Sandi [with her hiking gloves for the sharp lava] -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Sandi [with her hiking gloves for the sharp lava]]


[Slow Down! [Sandi sez keep it slow, but the road sign has no road!]]

Slow Down! [Sandi sez keep it slow, but the road sign has no road!] -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Pahoehoe [the 'ropy' type of lava flow] -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Pahoehoe [the


[Pahoehoe Shapes [the

Pahoehoe Shapes [the 'ropy' type of lava flow] -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Pahoehoe [the 'ropy' type of lava flow] -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Pahoehoe [the


[Lava Fires [the forest in the distance is being burned by the flowing lava]]

Lava Fires [the forest in the distance is being burned by the flowing lava] -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Cliff of Lava -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Cliff of Lava]


[Small Cloud in the distance is where the lava is flowing into the sea]

Small Cloud in the distance is where the lava is flowing into the sea -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Ohia Forest near Kilauea Iki -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Ohia Forest near Kilauea Iki]


[Hapuu Fern near Kilauea Iki]

Hapuu Fern near Kilauea Iki -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Hapuu Fern near Kilauea Iki -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Hapuu Fern near Kilauea Iki]


[Hiking Trail Along Rim of Kilauea Iki]

Hiking Trail Along Rim of Kilauea Iki -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Ohia Forest Along Rim of Kilauea Iki -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Ohia Forest Along Rim of Kilauea Iki]


[Kilauea Iki View]

Kilauea Iki View -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Major Lava Vent [this was the site of the huge eruption in 1959] -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Major Lava Vent [this was the site of the huge eruption in 1959]]


[Hiking Trail Along the Floor of the Kilauea Iki Crater]

Hiking Trail Along the Floor of the Kilauea Iki Crater -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Kilauea Iki, Another View -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Kilauea Iki, Another View]


[The Boulder at the Bottom Rolled All the Way from the Top of the Crater Rim, Leaving a path of destruction all the way down]

The Boulder at the Bottom Rolled All the Way from the Top of the Crater Rim, Leaving a path of destruction all the way down -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

The Boulder That Fell, Finally Came to Rest on the Crater Floor -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[The Boulder That Fell, Finally Came to Rest on the Crater Floor]


[Steam Vents Along the Crater Rim]

Steam Vents Along the Crater Rim -- 2003 Big Island Vacation

Steam Vents Along the Crater Rim -- 2003 Big Island Vacation


[Steam Vents Along the Crater Rim]


[Road Sign, August 2002]

Road Sign, August 2002 -- Sandra's 2002 Big Island Trip

Lava Entering Ocean, August 2002 -- Sandra's 2002 Big Island Trip


[Lava Entering Ocean, August 2002]


[Lava Flow, August 2002]

Lava Flow, August 2002 -- Sandra's 2002 Big Island Trip

Copyright © Robert and Sandra Swanson 2002-2023

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