Day #3 on the Big Island

These pictures are for certain people who did not believe me when I told them that I saw a zebra, goats, long horns, and a buffalo on the Big Island. We were driving back from the Kona side of the island when we passed these interesting animals :)We also got to stop and play on the most amazing public playground that I have ever seen.
It was huge! We had tons of fun there. It was a great way to spend Mothers Day :)

Day #2 on the Big Island

Day #2 was spent touring Volcano National Park.
The big crater (I forget its name, but hey, I can't remember everything)

That would be the reason we weren't able to drive all the way around the crater. You are looking at a huge cloud of sulfur and other poisonous gases, exiting the volcano, that would kill you before you could say Aloha :)
LAVA FLOWS!!
In some places you could see where the lava flowed over roads.
That night we drove up to the Jagar Museum to see the crater glowing. And, since it gets rather cold after dark at 4,000+ feet above sea level, we all had to bundle up.

I don't know this person.....

For All You 100 Cupboards Lovers

A letter from Anastasia to Richard:

Richard,
First, I saw you sneaking out of my room. Don’t ever go into my room again, or Uncle Caleb’s dogs will snack on you in the night.
Second, I know you put this journal on my pillow. Stop being such a creep. The fact that you even touched my pillow means that I’ll have to burn it immediately. Did you think any of this would impress me? Sneaking around writing about yourself? Could you be weirder?
Third, I don’t believe any of it.
Fourth, if you want to impress me, change. Don’t be you anymore. Don’t be the Richard Hutchins who calls himself Richard Hutchins. I’ve seen you wear pink sweatpants, and I won’t ever forget it. But if you want me to try, start playing baseball. Be normal. Don’t notice if you get hurt. Never, ever, ever whine to me or anyone else about anything again. That would be a start.
Fifth, I don’t care that you’ve been stabbed and (if you’re not lying) hit with a broom and scratched on the ankle and bruised on the face and pinched by crabs. I just read your stupid journal and that was worse than anything you’ve ever gone through.
Sixth, you’re a chump and a sneak and a weasel and an annoying Math tutor. If you died, I probably would be a little sad for you. But I’m sure I wouldn’t notice for a very long time.
Don’t talk to me tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Anastasia
P.S. If you still feel like pretending to be brave, I picked out another cupboard for you from this journal:
#23. Collected 1900. Tin-plated drawer. Single pull. First report: Ireland. Local innkeeper with a sealed room. Cursed, he said, with vipers. Seven guests killed in a week. Locked up since. Wouldn’t let me into the room. After dark, broke in and located the drawer easily (noticeable hissing when opened). Pried it loose and bagged it quickly. Left before morning.
That one should be fun for you. And if I never see you again, at least I’ll know how you died.

Now for any of you who have never read 100 Cupboards before that probably made no sense at all. BUT!!! I have a SOLUTION!! You must go get the book: 100 Cupboards by Nathan Wilson and read it. It's very, very (did I mention very?) good! So go read it! :)

-Micaiah

More Photos from Day #1 on the Big Island

Kahuna Falls
Akaka Falls

Rainbow Falls Boiling Pots (which are right above Rainbow Falls)
A really pretty flower with raindrops :)
And since we're on the flower topic ^

KoleKole State BeachMy beautiful little rock pile :)
Aaaaand a quick 7 Eleven trip :)

Day #1 on the Big Island

Today has been the busiest day I've had in a long time. This morning the Lopez clan got up at 3:00 to head to the airport. Thankfully we were traveling commercial and Bear finally got to get on a plane!!Note: The Bearster looks MUCH happier in this picture than he is at the moment. Long, exciting days tend to wear on 3 year olds :) Note #2: If you think I look more than a little crazed, it's because the bright light stunned me out of my dazed state....After arriving in Hilo we waited at a small cafe for our rental van to arrive.

The rest of the day was spent hiking to waterfalls:

shopping trips and lunch

driving...driving....and even, yes you guessed it, MORE driving. Currently I am about to go to bed. I will post more pictures tomorrow!! ALOHA!!

-Micaiah

Waikiki!

The other day my family and I spent the afternoon in Waikiki. We visited the Hilton Hawaiian Village hotel to see the penguins. Yes, they had penguins at the hotel, and just in case you don't believe me: The penguins were all very busy taking their early afternoon nap, so after watching them and the turtleswe went to see the flamingos that they had in another area of the hotel. Yes, penguins, flamingos, turtles, and other tropical birds, all in a hotel!!OK, so a duck isn't exactly tropical, but it's a neat picture!All in all, it was a very fun way to spend the day!!