Category Archives: Hawaii

Kīlauea: Hawaii’s Fiery Heartbeat

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Hawaii

Considering my affection for Hawaii and my fascination with Kilauea, I think this post is long overdue. I just wish I could be spending some time there to watch Pele dance.

Kilauea 2025 Eruption Episodes - Fire And Wonder | Hawaii ...

Kilauea photo from Internet

🌋 Kilauea: Hawaii’s Fiery Heartbeat

Nestled within the lush expanse of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Kīlauea is more than just a geological marvel—it’s a living, breathing force that shapes the land, inspires awe, and commands deep respect. As one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea has been erupting intermittently since December 2024, continuing a legacy of fire that stretches back centuries.

 

Hawaii volcano produces tall lava fountaining in latest episode of Kilauea eruption | AP News

Photo AP news

🔥 A Volcano of Many Faces

  • Type: Shield volcano, known for its broad, gentle slopes and fluid lava flows.
  • Age: Formed underwater roughly 280,000 years ago.
  • Name Meaning: “Kilauea” translates to “spewing” or “much spreading” in Hawaiian—a fitting name for a volcano that has covered nearly 90% of its surface in lava over the past 1,000 years.
  • Summit Caldera: Kaluapele, home to Halemaʻumaʻu crater, is traditionally considered the dwelling place of Pelehonuamea, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes.

🌋 Eruption History & Recent Activity

Kīlauea’s eruptive history is both dramatic and transformative:

  • 1983–2018: A nearly continuous eruption along the East Rift Zone, centered at Puʻuʻōʻō and Kupaianaha vents.
  • 2018: A powerful eruption caused the collapse of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, expanding it dramatically and altering the summit landscape.
  • 2024–2025: A series of episodic eruptions have occurred within the summit caldera, including the recent Episode 29, which ended abruptly after 13 hours of lava fountaining that reached heights of up to 330 feet.
    Kilauea

    2017 Volcanic Vog

    Volcano Glow 2018 Photo credit Deb Neumann

    🌱 Creation and Destruction

    Kīlauea’s eruptions are typically nonexplosive, producing slow-moving lava that reshapes the land without the catastrophic blasts seen in other volcanoes. Yet its power is undeniable:

    • Halemaʻumaʻu Crater: Once home to a lava lake, it briefly held a water lake in 2019 before lava returned in 2020.
    • Cultural Significance: Native Hawaiians view Kilauea as sacred, a place where the goddess Pele manifests her creative force.

    🧪 Science Meets Spirit

    The U.S. Geological Survey and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitor Kilauea closely, using ground deformation, seismic activity, and gas emissions to predict eruptions. But beyond the data lies a deeper truth: Kilauea is a reminder of Earth’s raw power and the delicate balance between destruction and renewal.

    📸 A Glimpse into the Inferno

    Here are some stunning images of Kilauea in action:

    Kilauea Volcano Eruption Halemaʻumaʻu Crater Glow Lava Fountains

    🌍 Visiting Kilauea

    If you’re planning a trip to Hawaiʻi, Kilauea offers a rare chance to witness Earth’s inner workings. Trails, viewpoints, and educational exhibits within the national park provide safe and enriching ways to experience this volcanic wonder.

     

     

    Hawai'i - If you were approaching Hawaiʻi Volcanoes ...

 

 

My Life is Ruled by Tiny Furry Overlords

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My Furry Overlords

My cats are weird, You probably remember

they are named Banner (Orange cat) and Balboa ( Black Cat)

Banner & Balboa, Furry Overlords

 

They are much more dependent on me than I expected. Maybe because I adopted both as kittens they learned to rely on me for fun and play. They can’t seem to amuse themselves at all and worse, they hate when I am busy doing anything that does not include them! I have time for this post only because they are both sleeping right now

Last night I had to attend a condo meeting. It ran from 7 pm to close to 9pm. I don’t go out much at night but I was quite surprised to have both tiny terrors frantically running around my feet when I came in. Day trips for shopping and errands are hardly noticed I guess they don’t like being alone when its dark.

Banner hates to go to bed. He will be a quiet little gentleman all day but the minute I get in bed he starts to sing the song of his people…loudly. I have to get up and hold him, pet him and cuddle him or he doesn’t calm down. Balboa just wants to sleep with me. After frantically making biscuits on me for an hour. Is it any wonder I’m always tired?

 

 

Aside from keeping my “masters” Happy and content I’ve been following the news about Kilauea. 

Hawaii volcano produces tall lava fountaining in latest episode of Kilauea eruption | AP News

AP News-Kilauea Eruption

Photo from FB feed

 

She’s putting on quite the show these days. I wish I could take a trip to Hawaii to see it in person but I’m not sure I’d want to fly anywhere even if I could justify the expense. Seems like there is a plane crash or incident every week!   

Well Balboa just got up and per usual he is trying to climb my leg. Man that hurts. Its amazing that he doesn’t draw blood! That means my writing time is over. so until I get another break, adios! 

 

Rain and Kitty observations

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Rain Rain Go Away

I saw this post on Facebook and I had to laugh. It took me back to one of my Hawaii trips. It was to the Big Island where I was going diving with Manta Rays.

May be an image of 3 people, people swimming, pool and text that says 'After seeing a group of people in a pool, huddled together under an umbrella to stay dry, I understand why Aliens don't visit us. AMERICASBESTPICS'

I was at the boat launch for the Manta Ray dive chatting with the dive master when it started to rain. It was just a few sprinkles , no thunder or lightening.  One of the other divers interrupted us to point out it was raining and ask if we were still going to have the dive. She was concerned about getting wet in the rain.  I managed not to loose it before she walked away. 

Manta Ray

internet photo

The Perversity of Cats

Banner and Balboa get along good for the most part. One of Balboa’s many nicknames is ALB (Annoying Little Brother). Banner is about 2 months older than Balboa and was the first one added to the household. He is amazingly patient with Balboa but everyone gets pushed to the limit sometimes. 

Balboa has to have attention all the time. If not from me he goes looking for Banner. Banner spends a lot of time in the bathroom sink since there’s only room for 1 there.

Photo Credit Deb Neumann

Let me give you an example. Balboa was asleep on my lap and Banner was sleeping in the Kitty Condo on the new cat tree. I had to get up and that disrupted Balboa so he went looking for Banner. When he found him in the kitty condo he began to inch his way in too. Not much room for both but Banner didn’t fight with him. Instead he wrapped his paws around him and started a crowded grooming session.

Banner & Balboa 2023 Photo Credit Deb Neumann

One More Of the Kitties

Another grooming session. You can see how much bigger Banner is than Balboa here but a lot of it is fur. Banner has a thicker coat that my Persian cat had. We are constantly brushing and combing to keep his coat from matting or him getting hairballs. That’s how he earned his nickname of Fluffy Butt. 

Photo credit Deb Neumann

 

 

Natural Wonders of the USA part 4

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Natural Wonders List Continues

We’ve got 50 Natural Wonders to go through and we’ve only covered 12 so time to continue on. Besides, My life is boring. Who wants to hear about my issues with Medicare and unemployment.  Beautiful sights to see are far more interesting.

13. MAINE – Cadillac Mountain

Maine is one of my favorite states. It’s got lighthouses and rugged , scenic coastline. It’s even got Puffins but you need to take a special trip across the Bay of Fundy to see them.  Fun fact- tides in the Bay of Fundy are the highest in the world! They can reach an incredible 53 ft.! Now which thing is the Natural Wonder for Maine? 

Photo credit- Deb Neumann 2016

 

According to the list its Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park . During certain times of the year, it is the first place to see the sunrise in the US.

Photo credit- Joe St Jean- 2012

14. New Hampshire – Flume Gorge

Staying on the East Coast we’ll head to New Hampshire. That’s the Live Free or Die State. Another excellent state to explore with the beautiful White Mountains, The Kancamagus Highway and lovely lakes, streams and waterfalls.  The Flume Gorge is located in Franconia Notch State Park , Lincoln NH. Yes I’ve been there. Its an uphill walk with lots of stairs but I survived it and so can you. It’s beautiful. Very primal.

Photo Credit Deb Neumann 2011

15. Hawaii – Diamond Head

You are talking my language now. I love Hawaii although Diamond Head is on Oahu which is my least favorite of the main Hawaiian Islands. It’s the most cosmopolitan. If you miss crazy traffic and City life then Oahu is the island for you. Diamond head is the image everyone has of Hawaii. You know that post card image with high rises, white sand and a mountain.

28,842 Diamond Head Images, Stock Photos & Vectors ...

We drove up into the crater but did not climb the stairs to the top. I liked snorkeling in  Hanauma Bay more than I liked Diamond Head. 

16. West Virginia – New River Gorge

You got me on this one. I haven’t been to West Virginia so I haven’t been to New River Gorge.

The picture is gorgeous and I’d love to capture something similar but when I googled the New River Gorge Bridge it seems the thrill seekers have taken over. They banned bungee jumping after an accidental death deemed bungee jumping as unsafe but they still allow base jumping and rappelling!  No thanks. I admit I like an adrenaline rush as much as the next person but I still want to be safe!

That about wraps up todays post. More to come next time.

Is Travel Back?

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Is is time to Start Traveling Again?

COVID is still here. We’ve now got the Delta Variant and Mu to name just 2. So is Travel back? I put a tentative toe into the travel pool last week. I was taking a test run not Just due to COVID but to test out my physical abilities too. In my case COVID wasn’t as much as a problem as my knees. I’m definitely going to have to come up with some solution but I’ll whine about that later. Let me tell you about my trip minus the moaning and groaning.

Turtle Town 2020

Is Hawaii Closed?

First of all, I didn’t go to Hawaii this trip but to my friends that asked, Hawaii is not closed. It is very much open to tourism just with some restrictions. The Safe Travels program is still in effect – with some exceptions. Visitors can bypass the now 10-day quarantine requirement with a negative COVID test pre-flight OR by proof of vaccination status. Inter-island travel is also exempt from testing and quarantine requirements. Travelers should check current requirements before leaving for the islands. 

Akaka Falls

Akaka Falls – Big Island 2018

On August 23, 2021, Governor David Ige called upon Hawaii residents and visitors to delay all non-essential travel through the end of October 2021. However, Hawaii has not been “closed” and has not yet modified entry requirements – the governor asked that travel be reduced as the islands are challenged by reduced hospital capacity, as well as restaurant & car rental services. As of September 1, Oahu is now requiring a COVID-19 vaccine or negative test mandate to eat at bars and restaurants, in addition to other indoor facilities, including Honolulu. This change will last for at least 60 days.

Starting on September 15, Maui will begin requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for indoor dining and drinking. Hawaii is also in the process of rolling out a digital health pass program.

Before booking a Hawaii vacation, travelers should ask themselves if these restrictions will put a damper on their trip. If a Hawaii vacation would not be complete in your book without eating out every night and perhaps even some bar-hopping, then now may not be your time to go. However, if you prefer to relax with your family on the beach and take in the sights, then the restrictions may not bother you as much.

North Carolina Bound

I chose to stay on the east coast  this time. It was my first attempt at travel since COVID and I didn’t want to go too far afield.  Besides, spending a week in North Carolina let me check another state off my bucket list. However I did things a little differently this trip and I chose to head to the mountains, not the coast. I got to see some spectacular scenery and lots of waterfalls. Plus I flew a regional airline, not one of the major lines and found some interesting differences. So lets get Masked Up and come along with me to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. 

Blue Ridge Mountains , NC 2021