Category: National Parks

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

There are two active volcanoes in the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park – Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Much of Mauna Loa is closed to visitors due to recent eruption. Kilauea last erupted in October 2023, but there is still a lot of smoke coming out of the crater.
This is the state flag of Hawai’i. The Union Jack (British flag) is used because Britain supported King Kamehameha I when he united the Hawaiian islands in 1793. The eight stripes represent the eight major islands of Hawai’i.
These are steam vents. The early morning was very dark and rainy, which accented the steam.
More steam vents.
This is the northern edge of the Halema‘Uma‘U Crater on the Kilauea volcano. Here also, the steam is more pronounced because of the cool, dark and rainy weather.
The center of Halema‘Uma‘U Crater.
Looking toward the southern rim of Halema‘Uma‘U Crater.
This is the entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube.
The tube is fairly tall – I did not have to crouch at all to walk through the tube.
Just enough light to see my way through the tube.
Kilauea Iki crater.
Close up of Kilauea Iki crater.
Hikers in the Kilauea Iki crater.
After the sun came out, we went back to the Halema‘Uma‘U Crater. With the sun out and temperature rising, the smoke was not as pronounced.
Close up of Halema‘Uma‘U Crater.
Southern rim of Halema‘Uma‘U Crater.
From the Volcano House, to the northeast of the Kilauea caldera, this was a pretty impressive view of Halema‘Uma‘U Crater.
Zooming in to Halema‘Uma‘U Crater from Volcano House.
We were here!

Haleakalā Sunrise

Haleakalā National Park

Going to the summit of Haleakalā is supposed to be an amazing experience, and being at the summit to watch the sunrise is the #1 thing to do on the island of Maui. So we left our B&B at 1:30 AM to drive 3+ hours to get a good spot. Sunrise was expected at 6:20 AM.
This is the route we drove to get to the top of Haleakalā. The payoff was worth it!
This is the view from the summit of Haleakalā at 5:40 AM.
6:02 AM.
6:14 AM.
Clouds look like water rushing over the hilltops.
6:19 AM – sunrise! This is Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Perfect!
6:21 AM.
Observatories at the Haleakalā summit.
Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope.
In the distance, Mauna Kea (left) and Mauna Loa on the island of Hawai’i.
The moon sets in the west as the sun rises over Haleakalā. You can see Haleakalā’s shadow in this picture.
One of the views as we descend Haleakalā.
Silverswords are extremely rare, and they are found only on the summit areas of Haleakalā, Mauna Kae and Mauna Loa. They live between 3 and 90 years or more. They flower once, sending up a spectacular flowering stalk, and then die soon afterward, scattering drying seeds to the wind. They are quite striking with their silvery leaves.
Mauna Kea from the Kahului airport.

Mt. Denali!

Alaska vacation day 10

Mt. Denali (Mt. McKinley prior to 2016). This is the tallest point in North America – 23,320 feet above sea level! There are three high peaks here. Denali translates to “The Tall One”, Mt. Foraker (native name: Menlale translates to “Denali’s wife”) at 17,400 feet , and Mt. Hunter (native name: Begguya translates to “Denali’s child”) at 14,573 feet.

Behind these clouds in the distance is Mt. Denali.
Also, behind these clouds in the distance is Mt. Denali.
September 4, 2023: “The Mountain” came out in full view for us! This is a spectacular view, as seen from the deck of our lodge! This came out later in the day of our glacier landing flight. We thank God for giving us this sight and the glacier landing flight in one day.
Photo op spot at the lodge!
The Mountain at sunset.
The Mountain at dusk.
Mt. Denali is in the center, and to the left (outside of the picture) is Mt. Foraker, the third highest peak in the USA at 17,400 feet above sea level, and the tallest point in the picture to the left of Mt. Denali is Mt. Hunter, at 14,573 feet.
Mt. Foraker.
Mt. Hunter.
Highest peak here is Mt. Silverthrone, 13,220 feet.

McKinley Princess Lodge

Alaska vacation day 10

After two nights at the Denali Princess Lodge, we took a bus for a 2 hour trip to the McKinley Princess Lodge, for one night. It poured rain the entire trip, and it was looking doubtful for any Mt. Denali sighting. Both lodges are part of the Princess Cruise Lines family.

This is the great room at McKinley Princess Lodge. All these chairs are pointing west, looking out of a large window pointed at Mt. Denali. When we arrived, we were about 2 hours from leaving for our Denali Glacier Landing airplane trip. The weather did not seem like it would cooperate. See the next post to find out how it went.
People enjoying the fire pits. There is a concession stand selling popcorn and beverages. Alaska has a law that minors are not even allowed in the same room where alcoholic beverages are sold/consumed.
More lush vegetation. Alaska has a short summer, and hence a short growing season, but when it is growing the plants are beautiful!
Mushrooms outside our door. Looks like something from Mario Brothers.
I turned on the night setting to my camera, and the Big Dipper with Northern Star became clear. This is also the state flag of Alaska.
We ate here. Twice. It was good.
Alaskan Snow Crab.
Bush plane.
Mountain climbing gear.

Denali Princess Lodge

Alaska vacation days 8-9

This was our lodge for 2 nights at Denali. Since we were four hours late arriving, we didn’t get to do or see anything the first night.
If you are interested in buying a bronze sculpture of a humpback whale, the lodge has it for sale! The price is $10,495.95!
We ate at the King Salmon Restaurant…
…and here is a salmon chandelier!
Landscaping at and around the lodge was lush and colorful!
Here is a giant dahlia!
Nenana River.
For dinner, we went to the “Songs of Denali” Dinner Theater show.
It was an entertaining evening. They were very talented.
The cast of the show, which is a musical story about early efforts at climbing Mt. Denali.