On our first day we explored the northern tip of the Big Island. This is the earliest volcanic eruption on the island. We crested that mountain which took us from sea level at the resort to about 3500 ft. We drove through Hawi, a nice town on the northern most tip (with a great view of Maui), and continued around to the east and windward side of the island. Along that coast there are 7 extremely deep and mostly uninhabited valleys carved in to the coast line. We visited the first one you come to because the road ends here!
And what a stunning valley! We climbed down into it, about a 20-30 minute hike. The roaring ocean and black sand beach was amazing! There is really no other way to describe it. And this photo doesn't adequately capture the scale of this place. It reminded me of standing at the base of El Capitan at Yosemite, granite towering over you to the sky. Except here the ocean throws its drama at you too.
Looking toward the back of the valley. And interior lake has formed on the valley floor - it does not reach the ocean but it comes very close.
Black sand beach.
Its a funny thing that happens when you are standing in a place that is so sacred and beautiful. I literally don't know what to do! It makes me giddy and excited. And then I become obsessed with capturing it on my camera, but that is never big enough to translate the experience. And it never sees the place the way I see it. It is frustrating and yet appropriate. Who would go if this feeling could be described through art or film? This way I can always imagine it extending beyond the picture plane, better than it exists on these photos.
We hit the beach at the right time, just before dusk, but the sky didn't do quite the tricks that I wanted it to - it just teased me with this temporary blush of pink.
As you look down this coastline you are looking south, and you can see the entry to the 7 other valleys sculpted into this coastline. At the end of the trip we visit the southern most valley, Waipio.
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