Volcanoes, Nude Hippies, and Black Sand

This place never ceases to amaze. Once you think you've seen the general stereotype, something different comes around the corner!

We were really looking forward to a "secret" hike that wasn't well known, even to locals, to Pu'u O'o, the vent that is the source of lava for Kilauea. To get there, you have to hike through miles of muddy wild rain forest. When we got to the trail head, however, there was a big sign that said "Trail Closed due to Extreme Volcanic Activity: Sulfur Dioxide Warning!" So apparently the island had different plans. We headed to Volcanoes National Park instead to check out their trails around Kilauea crater.

The dead, stark landscape is so alien when compared to surrounding lush rain forest. There is no flowing observable lava at the moment, but you can still appreciate the mass destruction that must occur when the real magma is present. The resulting black sand beaches that arise after the lava meets the ocean are an absolute dream.

On our one of our quests for the next hike, we saw a couple free-spirited hipsters on the side of the road with their thumbs out. We figured they looked pretty harmless, and picking up some hitchhikers may be kinda fun. They were on their way to Kehena Beach to chill out, so we decided to join them. On the way, we learned that this couple pretty much just lived wherever, worked whenever, and were part of a huge hippy following that tends to reside in the Puna (southeastern area) of the big island. Apparently, it's not difficult to get by in paradise. 

We got to Kehena beach, and were greeted with pitch black sand in sharp contrast with foaming white and turquoise of the sea. Tons of people frolicked in the surf, all with huge smiles on their faces, and naked as the day they were born. Our new hippy buddy just turned to us and said "Hey man, welcome to Hawaii." Sweet. 

Kapoho tide pools were similar, in that massive black slabs of lava meet the pounding surf. However, between these slabs, huge tide pools form, and are big enough to snorkel and dive in. Very beautiful.

We decided to finally med-moor to the wall, which was an experience in itself! Not too crazy, but backing the boat up to a concrete wall between two million dollar yachts can be a bit nerve-wracking. Our neighbor Brian, a Hilo native, was way cool in helping us out, and is a really friendly guy. Our other neighbors, from Portland, may not be as cool or friendly, and were worried about us knocking their boat....but at least they invited us to the cruiser's pot-luck tomorrow night. 

Hilo has been good to us, but we are running out of things to do! We may leave earlier for Kona than we thought. Instead of rounding South Point on Wednesday, we may take off on Monday. Still not sure, but a possibility!

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