I wish I’d taken a photo of the wonderful park staff who made our visit to Kilauea amazing in every way! We’d done our best research, but who could have predicted that she’d begin erupting days before our visit? We parked, preparing to hike Kilauea Iki, and headed over to chat with a few rangers who were on a break from some trail maintenance. They put down their sandwiches and turned. “Morning.” Simple, open.
In the span of about 5 minutes, they listened to & readjusted our plan: “You want to go HERE during the day for the closest viewing of the eruption, and HERE at sundown to get the best view of the lava against the backdrop of the orange sky. And park HERE at THESE TIMES- you’ll have the best chance of avoiding the crowds.” The smile in their eyes was the first hint of what we were going to see.
My word. Both sites were breathtaking (of course), and we’d never have known. That trip will remain one of the most extraordinary experiences of our lives, thanks to those two taking the time to share some beauty with us.
We’re National Park geeks. The people who work there are as special as the places themselves. They contribute to quality-of-life, they make it possible for people like me to reconnect to the natural world, and to witness the extraordinary presence of these places. Gratitude, gratitude, and heartfelt thanks.
Sincerely,
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
This park preserves the natural setting of two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the most active in the world, and Mauna Loa, one of the largest in the world. Visitors can hike across the floor of a dormant crater, view ancient petroglyphs and steam vents, and stroll through a primeval rain forest to an ancient lava tube. Wildlife include endangered endemic species like the Hawaii honeycreeper and the nēnē (Hawaiian goose).
State(s): Hawaii
Established: 1916
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Greetings from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
I spent the second half of 1999, driving around the US camping and hiking in national parks, watching baseball games with friends and listening to accounting tapes. I took the test for my last CPA section in November of 1999. Then stayed in San Diego with a friend and worked…
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