The TRIP - Day 5

June 17, 2009
We got up and hit the road to Hilo stopping first at the coffee place that we had looked for before. We found it, but it was closed with a sign that said “I will return at 9:30.” We went to Micky D's for a coke and went back, but he didn't. We hung around for awhile, but finally left.

We drove to the southern most place in the US. It was very windy. The spot is on a high cliff ( probably 50 feet high). We saw a guy jump off into the water and climb back up on a ladder that had been there for what looked like centuries. I asked if anyone was interested in jumping off, if I jumped first. It was a unanimous, no. I figured if no one else was going to jump that I wouldn't either. After all, the tga can only take you so far.

Gloria and I at Southpoint

We left there and had lunch at the southern most restaurant in the US, and then, went to a bakery that is the southern most bakery in the US.

If it says so, it must be true

We, then, headed off to see a black sand beach, Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. The sand is actually black. While there, we saw some turtles resting on the beach. There was a sign stating that we were to stay at least 15 feet away from the turtles because they were protected.

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

We continued on to see the volcano at Volcano National Park. We saw the visitors center, the caldera which has some activity in it, a crater (very deep), and walked through a lava tube.

We left to see the eruption which is observable from outside the park. By this time, it was about 6 ish and beginning to get dark. Larry, Wanda, and Gloria went on to see the site, but I stayed behind in the car and slept. I was bushed. They got back around 8 ish having very much enjoyed themselves.

The Smoking Caldera

We had supper at Ken's Pancake and Steak House – a very popular spot. After that, we went to Dolphin Bay, a hotel that Gloria and I stayed at when we came to Hawaii 15 years before for some well earned rest.