Big island, Hawaii

On Hwy 137

 The Big Island of Hawaii Is one of my favorite places to photograph as the landscape is so varied.  Last year I spent a lot of time South of Hilo on hwys 130, 132, and 137 but since last year a lot of that area has been covered  under many feet of new lava in last years eruption that started the day I left last year.  There was no lava flowing now but there were many steam vents and even felt a couple earthquakes at the condo at the 4000 ft level on the south side of the mountain.

Tree Tunnel on 137

New Lava flow crossing 137

Another Lava Flow Crossing 137

Trees at End Of 137

 Hwy 137 is still accessible from the South and in three places it is crossed by new lava flows that they have been able to build the road over.  It is blocked by the large lava flow from fissure 8 that filled in a boat harbor but also built a new black sand beach.  Apparently this flow is still too hot to build over. When you are down there on a rainy day steam comes up from all the flows.

New Black Sand Beach

Road Closed

Hwy 132 closed in 2 places

 In a couple days I was joined by Don Messec and we explored back roads we had never been on to find other photo opportunities for future workshops.

Coffee

Logging

Bamboo

We also went up the mountain to the observatories. From sea level in Hilo to almost 14,000 ft in just 43 miles.

 The ruins of an old resort are hidden in the jungle just across the lagoon from another black sand beach. The story is that a tsunami ripped it out but some say it was just abandoned.

Ruins

Ruins

Lagoon in front of Ruins

Trees across lagoon

 There are may places where steam is coming up. You see a lot of it when it rains as apparently the hot lava is not that deep. This one large vent is near the original crater.

Vent

More Vents

 

Our last week and a half were in this 3 bedroom house which would work good for a workshop with a large kitchen and very large living room.

Ferns in our back yard

  

Back Yard

Front Yard