Big Island Part 9: Exploring Day

During our time here, I have been checking updates on the volcano hoping we could see some interesting lava flows, but unfortunately, the volcano has been very tame the entire time. We are out of time so we spent yesterday exploring the Southern part of the island including Volcano National Park.

 This is the route we took.

We cooked nearly all our meals outside on the patio. Including breakfast before our long day of exploring.

Our first stop was this tiny town Milolii. The whole town in built on new lava right on the coast. It seems like a neat place. We drove to the end of the road shown in the photo. 

After a short hike from our parking spot, we arrived at this wonderful beach. There was only one other family there. 

The water had neat rocks at some parts with fish swimming everywhere.

Underwater was a mix of black and grey sand.

This is a blackside hawkfish I snapped a photo of while we were snorkeling there. 

Our next stop was South Point, a place with an interesting military history. This house caught our eye.

The Southernmost part of the United States

South Point is a highly visited spot by many tourists. We saw lots of people climb out of their cars and snap photos at the cliffs near the parking lot. I think this place is a neat attraction because it is the Southernmost spot in the United States and many tourists mistake the parking lot area as "The South Point" If you walk South for a few minutes you get to the actual South Point (shown in our photos). Or at least I think this is the South Point. The point to the right (East) has rocks going out further into the surf, but I am guessing the only count land above the high tide mark as land.  As you can see from the google map photo, there is not much out there.

Shelley furthur South on land in the United States than anyone else in the world.

 

 Our next stop was a black sand beach with tons of people and tons of sun-bathing turtles.

 

Next, we headed to Volcano National Park. Here is Shelley near some steam vents in the park.

The park has a lighted lava tube you can hike through.

 

The park is also located in a very lush rainforest.

Our final stop was Hilo for dinner. I saw this large tree near our parking spot.

 

 On the two hour drive back, we were treated with an awesome sunset and some chilly temperatures (see below).

This is our last post for this trip. Thank you to everyone who has been reading along. See you guys soon.