– crossing the barricades – My favourite place part 2

When I was a kid I went through various career choices.  I desperately wanted to be an archaeologist, a marine biologist, then a volcanologist – really not sure about all of the life choices that landed me where I am but I love being a photographer so all is ok. 😉

Something I have absolutely dreamed about since my girls were born was sharing the experience of seeing a real live volcano.  It is a rapturous experience – well for me – but I am the one that wanted to get married underwater with the sharks and who tends to run towards the danger as opposed to away.

It was with great glee that I made arrangements for my daughters to cross the "CAUTION/DANGER DO NOT CROSS" barricades and see the Kilauea Lava flows.  Yep, reading that back, that might not be the wisest thing to be teaching my kids, on the other hand it could be the best life lesson they ever learn.  Who knows.

We met up with Ken of Kapahua Adventures at 8am.  Ken is an adventurer who is a settler on the new land that the flows are creating.  What an amazing experience (did I say that before).  It is actually difficult to describe being there when the land is being born.  The intense heat you can see on my kids faces.  It is rugged yet fragile with the rock having glass-like characteristics.  It was definitely an experience with the wind blowing, the waves crashing, the lava flowing and the sun shining. 

Inspiring – to sum it up in a word.

 

Thanks Ken for a great experience and for welcoming us into your home.  The girls say hello to Blinky, Destiny, the chameleons and Steve. 🙂

Last time I was here we were able to go right up beside the crater.  Since that time the volcano got a little busy and caved in where the viewing area was soooo we have to keep our distance in the park.