Friday Show and Tell - The Kona Adventure - Part 5

One of the things we love about this island is its diversity. Not the diversity of population, but the diversity of the land. Driving around the island, you quickly change from one topographical type to another in a matter of minutes. In one afternoon, we left the tropical island beauty to the rugged black lava as far as the eye can see.

I call this Hawaiian Graffiti - many people use white rocks on black lava to express their undying love for their current special someone, or a memorial for someone who has died, or a celebration of their graduation. It's kind of a different version of the old water tower. This goes on for miles and miles.

The desolation of these lava fields is intense and immense. There is an occasional pathetic bush attempting to sustain life in its midst.

As the lava ages, it turns brown as more foliage survives and covers it with a bit more life.

Suddenly, the scene changes, and it's as if you'd arrived in Minnesota in the summertime.

There were cattle and horses grazing on the beautiful green grass.

The next bend in the road finds you between forests of trees.

King Kamehameha I (the Great) was honored in his birthplace town, Hawe.

The growth of the beauty from the lava rocks is amazing.

Suddenly, around another curve was the most panoramic beauty imaginable - bluffs, cliffs, ocean below - Pololu Valley Look-Out, with Maui visible in the distance.

We headed back toward Kailua-Kona and on the way decided to check out one of the top 10 beaches in the world - Hapuna Beach (judged by whom, I don't know). Since I was still walking very gingerly, and since I don't own a bathing suit that fits anyway, I spent the time sitting in a beach chair, people-watching, and reading a very good book. One family was having the greatest time together - the little guy arrived in a bathing suit and diaper. Before long he was having a great time in the all-together - for the rest of the day. I took an adorable picture, but decided it might be better not to put it out there in cyberspace. DC had a wonderful time exploring and frolicking in the water - wishing he had a boogy board to take advantage of the waves. We stayed long enough for this:

Good Night!!

TO BE CONTINUED . . .