Big Island Pictures

[Tim W]

My wife and I just returned this weekend from 11 wonderful days in HI.

We spent 9 on the Big Island and 2 on Oahu.

Words don't do justice to the beauty of this paradise.

Anyway, just thought I'd share a couple photos:

These two above are from the true summit of Mauna Kea which is about a 1/4-1/2 mile hike from the observatories, while the one below (That is ONE BIG SNAIL!) was from sea level in Waipi'o Valley.

These are some of the shots I got on a whale watching cruise about 5 miles south of Hapuna Beach State Park. They aren't quite up to the quality of Don's photos, and I didn't want to step on his Maui Time thread, so I thought I'd post them here.

One other amusing little story: My wife is constantly teasing me about always having a flashlight on my person (especially last fall during deer season, when I had my light but NO KNIFE and was successful!). Well, long story short, when we were at the Volcanoes Nat'l. Park and she wanted to explore the unlit portion of the Thurston Lava Tube, she sure was happy I had it!!!!!

 

[Launch Mini]

Great shots.
I miss the islands. Been 10 years now

thanks for sharing

my wife is the same with me carrying a light but no gratitude when she needs light and I hsve the answer.

 

[McGizmo]

Cool Shots! :thumbsup: Glad you had a good time and saw some whales. Those snails actually get really big!!

Below is a shot of one that is the biggest I have seen. The larger light is a prototype HD45 (~6" long):

Thanks for sharing and taking the time to do so!

And I am not trying to one up you on the snail! The first time I came across one of those snail shells (size of your's) it was empty and I kept it thinking it was a cool seashell.

 

[Tim W]

Glad you had a good time...

Those snails actually get really big!!

Someone told us that later that day, although I didn't think they meant as big as the one in your picture! :eeksign:

Yeah, it was probably the best vacation we've ever taken and we have already decided that it is probably gonna be an every other year event from now on.

 

[toby_pra]

Awesome pics...:thumbsup:

WOW that snail is really big. Never saw this before.

 

[Scottiver]

MMMMMMMMMM..........Escargot :eeew:

 

[McGizmo]

....

Yeah, it was probably the best vacation we've ever taken and we have already decided that it is probably gonna be an every other year event from now on.

I opted for an annual visitation which worked for 15+ years but the visits got longer and the separation more painful.

 

[BigHonu]

Glad you enjoyed your visit and thanks for the pics!

The Big Island is definitely my favorite, though I may be biased as I grew up there.

 

[McGizmo]

I would be happy if the Big Island cut down on its vog output some! :green:

 

[BigHonu]

I would be happy if the Big Island cut down on its vog output some! :green:

You and me both! I don't think you nor I could persuade a certain Madame to stop though!

 

[McGizmo]

Too true but it would be nice if she used the energy to grow the new island instead! How big does the big island need to get?

 

[Tim W]

I don't think you nor I could persuade a certain Madame to stop though!

'Til she does, though, WHAT A SIGHT!!!

When I get the camera back from my wife, I'll see if I can upload a couple pic's of the lava flow.

 

[BigHonu]

Too true but it would be nice if she used the energy to grow the new island instead!...

Oh, she is already working on it!

http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanoes/loihi/

 

[Tim W]

Not the worlds greatest photo's, but not bad for dusk and 3/4mile away:

Shortly after dark, we were lucky enough to see a series of explosions that lasted for several minutes. From what we were told, this does not happen on a consistent basis so I felt fortunate that we were able to witness it:

 

[McGizmo]

Cool shots Tim! :thumbsup:

Big Honu,
If you are interested in a time share on Lo`ihi, I understand there are still some slots available... :nana:

 

[Codeman]

WOW!!! I've seen lava flows into the ocean before, but nothing on that scale. It must have really been awesome to see it in person.

 

[BigHonu]

Cool shots Tim! :thumbsup:

Big Honu,
If you are interested in a time share on Lo`ihi, I understand there are still some slots available... :nana:

Actually, I already have a spot! If you want to split the timeshare, I'm taking deposits now! :nana:

Great pictures Tim! Did you need to walk a long ways to get to the flow? Sometimes it is right near the check station, other times you need to walk 2 miles or more.

 

[Tim W]

Great pictures Tim! Did you need to walk a long ways to get to the flow? Sometimes it is right near the check station, other times you need to walk 2 miles or more.

I guess it was about 3/4 mile hike. They told use that 2 months previously it had been only a couple hundred yards from where you park.

 

[BigHonu]

I guess it was about 3/4 mile hike. They told use that 2 months previously it had been only a couple hundred yards from where you park.

That is not so bad, and at least it looks like you went when the day was starting to cool down. I made the mistake once of going around 1:00pm, during the summer, and the flow was about 1.5 miles away. DAMN, that black lava can cook you during the summer!

 

[Tim W]

... and at least it looks like you went when the day was starting to cool down.

We got there about 45 minutes before sundown.

I made the mistake once of going around 1:00pm, during the summer, and the flow was about 1.5 miles away. DAMN, that black lava can cook you during the summer!

Gave you a good idea how an egg feels, I'll bet!!