Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
February 1 - 4, 2008
Terrific place, but not the best weather for us.
Near the southern extent of the Big Island, a native Hawaiian practices traditional throw-net fishing in the surf.
Jill gets buffeted by the winds near the black sand beach.
Sea turtles climb out of the water to warm up on the black sand beach.
Inside the national park, this sign warning us to watch out for the endangered Nene, or Hawaiian goose, which is also the state bird.
Just moments later, we encountered some actual Nenes. Done.
Jill enjoys the weather at Namakanipaio Campground, where we stayed in a cabin for one night before upgrading to the national park inn.
Eric is not amused.
In the Volcano House, the national park lodge, this fire is reputed to have been burning uninterrupted for a century or so. We're skeptical. The carving is of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire.
Eric feels a bit more cheery after checking into the lodge, taking a shower, and springing for the breakfast buffet.
Hiking the Kipuka Puaulu, the forested bird loop on the slopes of Mauna Loa. Wet. 
Eric makes his way across the Kilauea Iki crater (one of the small craters near the summit of Klauea) on a four mile hike/run that left us drenched. It looked a bit like Mordor.
The Ohia flower, a Hawaiian native.
Near the Holei Sea Arch, Jill discovers that the road has been closed for some time. Unfortunately, her hand became trapped under the hot lava. 
A sign encountered while hiking across a lava flow near the coast. 
Getting rained out while trying to do some hiking and birding on Mauna Loa.
It was the same story at the desert trail just beyond the Hilina Pali Overlook.
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