We hiked today, and my feet are sore. I’m happy to report that after Steve’s MaiTais and dinner, they are less sore :-).

We hiked in and around Volcanoes National Park, and across Kiluea Iki. Luckily we got to the park before the crowds and parking was easy. And it was not terribly hot on the hike across the crater.

There was some posing for interesting photos…

The next shot was taken on the walk out and back up the side of the crater. We walked down the far side that you see, across the flat part, and up the other side.

Steve, Amanda, and Keith were brave, almost looking over into a crevasse…

There was some stopping to at least attempt to smell the flowers…

That’s ginger, by the way. An invasive non-native that needs to be eradicated. It is also pretty.

We hiked Devastation Trail… there’s a story that goes with the name but darned if I can remember it.

Off in the distance, you can see the steam erupting from Halemaumu.

Back in the day, Steve and I and students could (and did) hike out to that spot, but not now. It’s too dangerous. This is us, then. That sign is probably still there…

Here we are today, 11 years later and still going strong :-).

Tomorrow we are heading to Puna Lu’u, the black sand beach!