So much to see...

The last few days have been a whirlwind of activity!

We've:
- Snorkeled at Spencer Beach
- Drove up the Northwest coast to Polou Valley and hiked down toward the black sand beach
- Ate at Quinn's Almost By the Sea (owned by a couple of cheeseheads who proudly display the head wear at the restaurant) for some fabulous seafood
- Toured Hawaiian Cowboy coutry near Waimea
- Visited an ancient Hawaiian fishing village
- Went to the "Gathering of the Kings" Polynesian feast and retelling of the peoples' history
- Hiked in to Akaka Falls (420 foot drop!)
- Drank some really, really fabulous Kona Coffee
- Wandered around the Japanese Garden and Coconut Island in Hilo
- Ate dinner at Ken's 24-Hour House of Pancakes
- Hiked 3 miles to the site where lava is currently flowing into the sea. The sea was boiling and the glow from the lava is magnificent! It looks a bit like this:



We've been using the GPS to get around with the rental car which works pretty well but occasionally has its hiccups. I decided while we were driving along I needed a drink. To get us close to civilazation, I found a McDonalds in the GPS and asked it to guide us there knowing we'd find plenty of places to get things near by. We patiently followed our British guide through turns and winding mountain roads for miles and miles. After a particularly challenging winding uphill climb, TomTom announced "You've reached your destination!" Tom quickly surveyed the scene (which included 4 cows and several cacti) and gave TomTom a sarcastic, "Really? REALLY.". We did eventally find civilazation no thanks to TomTom.

We're traveling the crater rim drive tomorrow and hiking to a frozen lava lake from the 1959 eruption. We're certainly not alone - CNN has an article about the droves of people coming to Volcano for the eruption activity. Here's hoping for an interesting but uneventful volcano visit :)

PS. Pictures are uploading super slowly right now, but I'll upload more soon! Hope it doesn't snow too much today and tomorrow :)