Today we're going to take an excursion around the south end of the island and up to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Our starting point, the hotel, is over there on the western shore of the island, right about in the middle, where if you squint you can see the town of Keauhou.
Notice that the big island really is big, but there aren't many roads. Basically there's one big loop all around the place that skirts the ocean, and one "saddle road" across the middle. Sure, there are other little roads here and there, but basically that's it. But we're not going to let the lack of roads stop us, no-sirree. See that north/south road right there at the bottom of the map, the one that goes straight to the island's southernmost point? The one that looks like it meanders off into the most out-of-the-way spot on the entire island? Well, we're going to drive down that road, right down to the place they call "South Point." They call it that because it's the southernmost spot in all the 50 United States.
And oh, is the road to South Point ever barren.
There are two main types of lava: pahoehoe (pa-hoy-hoy) and a'a (ah ah). Pahoehoe lava comes out smooth and dense and can form large areas that resemble flat parking lots or smooth bumps. A'a, on the other hand, forms individual rocks anywhere from a few inches to many feet in size.
This is the land of A'a.
Doug tries to walk through the A'a without falling down.
Cuz falling on A'a would hurt. Maybe that's why they call it ahh! ahh!
Miles and miles of A'a.
And just look at that road. There is pavement sorta kinda, but it's a rough ride even in our nice Chevy Malibu rental car. See the USA in your Chevrolet, that's what I always say. Nothing can go wrong when you're in a Chevy. All this vibration won't have any effect on the car at all.
And finally here we are literally at Land's End.
Not much going on here.
Wait, it looks like Hawaiian fishermen tie up here from time to time.
But where can you tie up in a place like this?
I mean, you and your boat would get crushed by waves pounding against rocks, wouldn't you?
Well, maybe if you built a device to haul your catch up to the top of the cliff -- would that work?
And what if you built a bunch of them all along the cliff?
And what if you strung some ropes and buoys out into the water? Maybe you could use them to pull yourself up close to but not onto the rocks?
And then use a block and tackle to raise your catch to land? Would that work? Sure it would.
But these days those old platforms are mostly used by crazy local kids who enjoy cliff diving. We didn't see any cliff divers this day, though.
Man I'd hate to dive into that.
Better just to fish from the safety of the top of the cliff.
And enjoy the view.
Look out all you boats coming north! There are rocks over here!
OK, back in our trusty Chevy Malibu. Time to go. Doug turns the key. Nothing happens. Doug turns the key again. Nothing happens again. Uh oh.
Bill is bummed.
This is not good. Bonnie made friends with a couple of locals and they offered to help us jump start the car, but that didn't work.
Man, it's a long walk to the Budget office in Hilo.
So Doug called Budget (or "Bud" as he likes to refer to them) and they apologized for the inconvenience and said they'd send a replacement vehicle immediately. In about three hours.
So we sat, and dozed in the car, and envied the locals with their food and water and tents and beds. The thing Bonnie hates most about this is that eventually she's going to have to leave her new best friends.
We are a long way from everything.
Wait? What's this? Could it be a tow truck with a fancy new Nissan on the back?
Why yes, it is! Bud came through! And pretty soon we'll be on our way again. But before we leave, let's see if our very nice but extremely confident tow truck driver will be able to start the Malibu. He believes Doug and Bill are a couple of helpless rubes and he's going to work a little magic with the key-fob system and start it right up. He'll show these tourists a thing or two. But he can't start it either.
Bill is pleased.
And now off we go. Hey look: a wind energy farm down here in the middle of nowhere.
A bunch of rusty old hulks, actually. Looks like a failed experiment.
Let's get outta here. Too bad we've enjoyed ourselves so long at South Point that we have to cancel plans to visit Volcano Winery, but still there's a chance we can see a few things at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park before the place closes. If we hurry.
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