We left Laie in the
weeee hours of saturday morning (4:00- to be exact), caught our flight in Honolulu and soared over Maui, Lana'i, and the vast Pacific Ocean to the magnificent inviting BIG ISLAND. It was a clear beautiful morning so we enjoyed the view of the two massive volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. There were 13 in our group, 3 professors and 10 students, and another couple met up with us when we arrived. They were just along for the ride- lucky- they didn't have to take notes and be tested on it all at the end.
We stayed at the Kilauea Military Compount (KMC) which is right inside Volcanos National Park. It was a nice place- too much like the MTC though.
The first day was spent at Kilauea Caldera.
Second day on Mauna Loa. We climbed up to red hill which was about 12 miles round trip. We got to the top with only about 2 and half hours of sunlight. So we had a fabulous time trying to find our way down the lava fields with the moon lighting our way. At one point we were surrounded by a mist of darkness. but there was no great and spacious building...
Our last day was just as go-go-go as the first two. we chased around rare birds and observed mauna kea (not the top) and took a quiz- which i failed miserably. oh well, I am not taking the class for an A. It is so much fun to take a class to learn. I bet if most college students knew that they would enjoy college so much more.
travel=discovery=knowledge
check out this amazing video of my new found sea friend!! we had so much fun swimming around with him and he didn't even mind me getting up in his face to take this video. this was at hanauma bay- Dad, next time you come we are going to hook it up with this guy again and he will take us for a tour of the reef, turtle-style!
sorry ya'll- it's been waaaay to long! I need to start writing more! I could make the excuse that I am too busy but let's be honest - the life of a student is so much easier than . . . let's say . . . a working mom (Julie), or computer geek (Larry) or a librarian/volleyball coach/basketball coach/primary president/mom/softball coach (Anne). life is great - I mean I am a student for goodness sake! I don't have a supervisor breathing down my neck at work anymore! I love it!
I am really enjoying my Pacific Natural History class. We have been on two field trips so far in which we identify the plants and talk about the geology of the different areas. We went exploring around Makapu'u point (mom and dad- i took you there to see the whales) and Waiamano ridge (a must see for your trip, Jordan).
ya'll gotta come vist me and I will take you on a nature tour of the island. We will identify the endemic, indigenous and exotic plants of the mezic forest as well as discuss the planeze formation and post-erosional eruptions that are still visable on southeast coastal habitat of Oahu. Sound boring? Then you are not invited!
Mom, remember those bright, white shoes you sent me a while ago? that was a serious waste of bleach . . . .
I put them to good use and tromped throught the mud. My teacher made me do it!! I am so glad you sent them though!
