Butter Rolls

We went to the small farmers market in Volcano this morning in search of cookies. We didn’t find cookies, but we did find these butter rolls that were freshly baked by the woman who is selling them. The name was the selling point as Sam loves butter in all forms! They were a great choice. 

It’s a pastry that is only slightly sweet. It has a buttery filling and crunchy top. Delicious!

Strange and Unusual Plants

The rainforest is full of strange and unusual plants. We were fascinated by them, and probably looked a little silly, because we stopped to examine so many. 

This is a fern that starts curled in one big spiral and slowly blooms by uncurling the entire plant then each stem then each leaf.

Of course they are invasive, but that doesn’t make them any less beautiful.

Sulphur Banks Trail

This trail runs through the area of the most steam vents. It does not smell like sulfur, though. It’s clear that it is not just water vapor.

The girls were entertained by the sign. Apparently it’s OK for everyone else…

Steam Vents

There are steam vents all over the area on the rim and in the crater. It’s a constant reminder that we are on an active volcano.

This is an offered to Madame Pele, the goddess of the volcano.

Crater Rim Trail

There is a trail that runs along the crater rim. We stopped at numerous points along the way. Not all overlooks are named, and as you work your way away from the end of the road, you get further away from the former lava lake. All the views were incredible, but we most preferred the ones that were close to the rim and near the lake 

Kīlauea Overlook

As we made our way from overlook to overlook along the Crater Rim Drive the wind kept up but the sky got clear. 

The views changed perspective and we got further from the former lava lake.

Uekahuna Overlook

It was a rainy morning as we went exploring in Volcano National Park. We decided to go to the end of the Crater Rim Drive to the overlook. This is where the 2018 earthquake took out the road (it fell into the crater) and damaged the observatory. 

It was pretty foggy and super windy at first.

Then the weather started to clear and we could see the former lava lake and steam coming from the crater.