Big Island spring break trip

For some reason when we landed on big island, we were all super drained, but we knew we didn’t want to waste time just sitting around so we tried to do some driving tours and knock off some of the things on our to do list. We couldn’t last very long without somebody stopping to take a rest. In fact at rainbow files, been laid in the grass for about 20 minutes for a quick cat nap.

The cool lava tubes our driving tour brought us to. It’s a good thing, then packed flashlights and headlamps otherwise we would not have been able to explore as far up this lava tube. The texture inside was quite amazing smooth in some areas and rough and others and just the fact that this particular tunnel could go on for 22 miles was amazing to us I think if Cannon had his way we would’ve gone the entire 22 miles but we knew that we could only go so far before we needed to turn around and head out for daylight.

In fact when we made it here to Akaka Falls, we all fell asleep in the parking lot for about an hour… there was no way that we could function any longer — we were just feeling so tired. It was actually pretty frustrating because they started charging people to visit this particular waterfall by charging $10 for parking for non-residence and there’s two people that were standing right there at the entrance, making sure that you entered your license plate and credit card into the machine. Luckily, our boys have Hawaii drivers licenses so that meant that we could go visit this attraction for free!

Goat therapy… on The way back from Akaka Falls there’s a sign that says free goat therapy and obviously this is one of the busiest roads and tourist attractions on the big island so the location is Primo anything that is drying in customers. Ben purchased some oat caramel which was delicious by the way and Brielle and Cannon enjoyed about 15 minutes petting and brushing short little goats

After our hike out to the green sand beach, we pulled over to the most southern point of big islands to check it out.. my brother had jumped off of this area a few years back and we really thought the kids would have a good time. At first, we were all nervous because we didn’t see anyone else doing it, but then by the end everyone had gone and This was one of our favorite days, jumping and swimming in this amazing water. It was incredibly calm. A guy did jump off with his phone around his neck and when he came up to the water, he said I need some goggles. I lost my phone and Cael was able to just dive down there and save that guy’s phone dropped about 30 feet deep to the bottom. He was so impressed that Cael was able to go that deep without fins on— The guy was super grateful and gave Cael 20 bucks.

One of the kids favorite games was swimming in the water climbing up on the edge or getting close to the edge and seeing if they could get on their feet without using their hands and just allowing the waves to push them up to stand up came out. I’m glad that none of them got banged up or knocked their heads into the rocks, and they were giggling and laughing and having a good time together.

Volcanoes National Park. It is so much cooler than you would think at this park the elevation just as cold you need to wear a sweatshirt walking around. Of course, I like my kids to be able to become junior Rangers at every national park that they visit and so we had a little bit of assignments to complete as we walked around and learned more about the incredible history of Hawaiian myths and legends and volcanologist who have studied the lava in this area

One of my favorite things about being in the national park with all of my kids was watching how they were interacting with each other in playful and fun ways and just how big they have all gotten. I am happy but sad.. happy because they are growing up to be such fun people and they’re pretty good to each other and sad that they aren’t my little kiddos anymore 😢 look how big they have grown up to be!

Thurston Lava tube. Short and fun to explore… but after the other one we went to that wasn’t commercialized …it wasn’t nearly as exciting for Cannon and he sure let us know his disappointment.

Having some fun at the Black Sand Beach this was after our green sand Beach hike and jumping off the southern point so by the time we made it here to the black sand beach, we are all pretty tired and the water is surprisingly ice cold, and the black sand is burning your feet quite the contrast. Cannon had some fun splashing and cuddling around and making piles of the black rough sand Brecken Ben and kill all took naps in the shade.

We got some sandwiches and snacks at this bakery, but the portions were small and the flavor was lacking. But it’s “famous” and we had to stop for their malasadas… which were okay-Lee good. Our favorite restaurant was the Guatemala burritos and nachos from the food truck the night before.

Cael and Brielle are always so funny together! I love watching them talk play, and joke around. Their poses for photos always make me laugh. It is like they are on the same brain wave.

We were sad Brecon and Connor didn’t get to enjoy this fun swimming hole because they had to get back to school… this tunnel was super cool to explore Brielle and Cannon were having so much fun climbing around going from rock to rock and jumping off of the waterfall into the swimming pool. In fact in this spot was where our friend Naomi dove head first and hit her head on her rock splitting open her head and needing to get staples on her Hawaiian vacation with her family… not a good idea to dive and we are glad she os okay.

According to Hawaiian, legend, this heavy stone was the one that King Kamehameha lifted to prove that he would be the great uniter of all the islands. It is located in front of the Hilo public library and across the street from our favorite drive-in cosmic cones… everyone requested that we go back and eat there more than one occasion Especially Cannon😂😂