Friday, November 25, 2022

 Friday, November 25, 2022

 The Zims and I headed out at about 11:30. We took the long route parallel to the shoreline on our way to Volcano. I don’t think I ever went that far south before on Route 11. The views are spectacular.

  We stopped to view a black sand beach to see the sea turtles. No turtles. Carol, Christine, and I wanted to use the bathroom. The women’s was closed. Christine headed for the porta-potty across the parking lot. Carol and I waited till we were sure there were no men in theirs. John would stand guard. Once I got close enough, the stench convinced me I’d be better off with the other option. While I remember them stinking to high heaven, the porta-potty couldn’t smell worse than the bathroom. It stood at the edge of the parking lot. The doors were wide open, airing out the porta-potty. It was heaven compared to the flush toilet men’s bathroom.

   While Carol and I were waiting for the last man to come out, we talked to a couple. They own a house they rented when they weren’t using it themselves. No, it was not in the immediate area. I can’t remember why. Was it too expensive? Too isolated? They wished they had a house there; it was so beautiful. They were from Portland, Oregon. They complained bitterly about the state of the city. The crime rate had soared. They blamed it on their liberal-leaning mayor. The crime rate is rising everywhere. Some of it is caused by homelessness. The mayor is not to blame for the temperate climate in Portland that makes rough living possible.

   Our first stop was at the condo Carol and John rented to accommodate all four of us. I heard many tales about the dangers of theft on that side of the island. At certain sites, they post “Lock Your Car” signs. I wanted to make sure our possessions were stored before we went on our adventures.

   After we dropped our stuff, we headed to the Volcano Visitor’s Center. We viewed some videos and took in the exhibits. A ranger was giving a brief lecture about the site. Not to bother going to the site until after 8 pm when it was dark. While the site during daylight is interesting, the real show is at night. He warned that the parking lots closest to the best viewing spots to see the active volcano would be packed.

   We went out to dinner in the town of Volcano, a small restaurant that featured hamburgers. As we entered the restaurant, a departing patron called out, “The food is delicious.” It was pretty good. I had fries and slaw with mine. What an indulgence!

  We returned to the park and tried to go to the Devastation Trail parking lot. Rangers blocked the way. The lot was full. We went back to the visitors’ center. We were going to go home and come back at 8 pm but decided to give it another go. We had no trouble getting a space. We got out and started hiking. We were dressed for the weather. I wore a short-sleeved T-shirt, with a long-sleeved shirt, and a heavy sweatshirt with a windbreaker. I brought gloves with me but didn’t need them. It can get cold here at night.

  It’s a mile hike to the viewing site to see the eruption. Most of the way is paved but unlit. I wore a miner’s flashlight Yvette lent me. It wasn’t a pleasant walk. All I could focus on was the ground before me for any irregularities. We walked a gravel path for another five hundred feet at the end of the paved section. To our right across the caldera was the eruption. Eh! It looked like a good-sized Girl Scout fire. Every once in a while, it would flare. Someone had thrown a sappy log on the fire. Eh! Again

  John and I headed back earlier. I wanted to walk at my own pace, knowing I would be slower than everyone else. John said his hip was bothering him. We headed home to the rental.

  It was cold inside. There were space heaters in each room. We had dressed warmly for the hike to view the volcano but not for sleeping. I usually sleep in the buff. That wasn’t going to work in this situation. I slept in my clothes under four blankets. Christine slept under an electric blanket on the convertible couch in the living room.