Big Island - North Shore

The next day on the Big Island was spent in Waimea and the North Shore.  We went to two great farmers' markets in Waimea on Saturday morning.  Waimea is up in elevation, right on the break between the wet and dry sides of the island.

The lush, wet side


The dry side (I was standing in the same place for these two pictures) 

From Waimea, we drove north through cattle country.  This area of the island was once part of the largest cattle ranch in the country.  The original ranch is still large but pieces have been broken off.  We liked this view with the ocean in the background.  Not a bad place to be a cow!

We stopped for a picnic lunch . . . 

with a great view.

Then we went the beautiful Pololu Valley.  This was the view from the top looking into the back of the valley.

Looking down to the beach.

And then we hiked down to the bottom.  Jesse had the hardest job.  Elliott had a great ride.

Down paths like this . . . 

A view from partway down

We made it!  On the valley floor.

the beach

Elliott was very busy with this rock.

Dirty boy

One of the very few family shots from our trip on this great swing.

On our way back "home" that afternoon, we drove by this great view.  Note the cows at the base of the turbine.  It appears that life as a cow is pretty good in Hawaii, until they turn you into hamburger.

 

Big Island - Waialea Beach and Waipio Valley

After touring Volcanoes National Park and South Point, we headed north to the Kohala Coast of the Big Island.  Elliott was still getting up early so we were at the beach around 8 am.  This was an awesome beach. Waialea Beach is less than 10 minutes from the condo where we were staying.  The bay is protected by a reef and much of the beach is shaded by trees - perfect for Elliott.  Jesse and I were able to take turns snorkeling and saw beautiful coral, lots of fish, and a sea turtle.

Exploring the beach


We had the place nearly to ourselves in the morning.

Ahhhh . . . 

He loves splashing in the water.

Looking the other way

In a moment of pure genius (there are many for her), my mom picked up this awesome tent the night before we left for this trip.  I had been planning on taking a pack n play which is HUGE.  This awesome tent folds up to the size of a large frisbee.  It has been great for napping on the go.

This was what the beach looked like when it got "crowded."  We still have one more day here but this is our favorite beach of the trip so far.

In the afternoon, we went for a drive up and over to the east side of the island to see Waipio Valley.  The highlight of this spot was when Elliott took his first steps!

Happy boy!

This was an amazing lookout over a minimally populated (~50 people) valley in a very remote area.  

There are great views of the cliffs beyond the valley.

 

 But we were most excited about Elliott's big milestone and having a big grassy area for crawling around (he napped as soon as we got back in the car).  

On to Waimea and the North Shore next!

Big Island - More Black Sand Beach and South Point

Our time at the black sand beach was made even more special when we spotted this sea turtle.  He was sunning on a rock and completely oblivious to us.  When we looked closer, we spotted another three partially submerged in the water beyond the rocks.  If you look closely in this picture, you can see one above the turtle in the forefront, just inside the rougher water, and another on the left side.  They look like oddly round and smooth rocks.



Beautiful beach.  So, before 8 am, we saw the lava glow, this beautiful black sand beach, and four sea turtles.  On a normal day at home, I haven't even left the house by 8 am! 

We stopped for breakfast in a tiny town along our drive.  Elliott was really excited about something here.  Aren't those teeth cute?

That's love.

After a visit to a local playground and park to let E crawl around for a while, we made our way to South Point.  This is the southernmost point in the US.  There are steep cliffs that drop off about a hundred feet into crystal clear water.  The wind whips through this area, making you think twice about getting close to the edge for fear a gust will push you over the edge.  Another visitor took a few pictures of us, none of which was great but here is one.

Looking north at the beautiful cliffs

You can see how clear the water is here.  There were locals fishing off the cliff.  You can do modified longline fishing out a few hundred feet and catch blue water fish like marlin, tuna, and mahimahi.

Up to the Kohala Coast next!

Big Island - Volcano and Black Sand Beach

We made it to Hawaii!  Jesse finished his work in Honolulu on Tuesday and Elliott and I flew out to meet him.  I was dreading the looooooong flight with very active Elliott on my lap but he did so well.  There were so really wonderful strangers along the way who made things so much easier - especially the man next to us on the flight from Chicago to Honolulu.  We arrived at 6:30 pm on Tuesday which was 12:30 am on Wednesday at home.  Elliott lit up when he saw Jesse.  I was a sight to be seen - covered in food remnants and frazzled from the lack of sleep.  We stayed at a sketchy hotel right near the airport for the first night.  Elliott woke up at his normal time, 6:30 am . . . which is 12:30 am in Hawaii!!!  Woah, that was early.  We stayed at the hotel for a bit and then went to the airport to catch our very early flight to Hilo on the Big Island.

After getting groceries and getting settled in our cute rental, which was fortunately ready very early, we all took much needed naps before heading over to Volcanoes National Park.  What an amazing place!  Here are pictures from our day.

First site of Halema'uma'u Crater (say that 10 times fast).  Steam rises from the crater where water contact with the lava.  We couldn't see any lava during the day but you'll see our night view later.


Elliott loves being on Jesse's shoulders.  I don't enjoy having my hair pulled so my shoulders are off limits.

Hmmm, this finger.  Family shot at the crater.

This is actually a crater within a crater.  The outer crater is visible on the right side of this picture.

Elliott enjoying some of the views . . . 

I walked out to this lava flow while Jesse staying in the car with sleeping Elliott.  I think these are spot where lava flowed around trees and created molds.

We then drove down to the coast on Chain of Craters Drive.  This is where you used to be able to see the lava going into the ocean.  It is currently flowing in a different area that is not easily accessible so we didn't go there.  Hmmm, I wonder why the road is closed?

A lava flow within the last 20 years overtook this section of the road.  It's amazing when you consider that this is the creation of new land and the sheer volume of lava that comes out of the volcano. 

Once again, Elliott really enjoyed the view. 

A cool sea arch in the same area.

Back at our rental, E broke out some hilarious dance moves (anyone know the funny sprinkler move??).

He loved these footstools.  Perfect for practicing balancing.

Checking out the Olympics!  Go Phelps!

Knowing that Elliott would be up very early, we planned a predawn trip back to the volcano.  It was only about 10 minutes from our rental.  At 3 am, we were all by ourselves, appreciating the glow of the lava in the crater.  It was chilly before dawn at 4,000 feet of elevation.  Elliott had mixed opinions, mostly about the makeshift hat we put on him.

Lava, steam, and the crater walls. Pretty cool, right?

Jesse and Elliott in front of our rental house.  We were out by 6 am.

On our way west, we passed this sign,  We don't see too many of these at home!  Yes, I am a geology nerd.

Beautiful trees

We then went to Panalu'u Black Sand Beach.  There are only a few of these on the island and it was amazing.  It was especially cool to have the place nearly to ourselves at this early hour.

This makes me smile.

More pictures to come . . . the rest of this post didn't upload properly.

First Steps!!!

Today was a huge day for Elliott!!  He took his first two steps!  He has been close to walking for a few weeks but I was really hoping he would hold off on this big milestone until Jesse was home.  Elliott cooperated.  We were at a beautiful overlook at Waipio Valley on the Big Island and we were only looking at our big boy.  I am so grateful that Jesse and I were both right there!

Just after the big event


Clapping!  He was quite proud of himself, and rightly so!