I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. My theme is open-ended. My goal is to write daily posts using each letter of the alphabet in April (Sundays off for good behavior and to make it work for the alphabet). I’ll be writing family stories, memoir or journal prompts, reviews about theatre and food, maybe a visit from my sock puppet characters Millie and Willie, and using photos I’ve taken along the way. Enjoy!
Vog is like fog but with volcanic ash. We experienced this when we were on the Big Island of Hawaii during our vacation in January. We were only on the Big Island for two days. We spent most of our time on Kauai, but wanted to see the Big Island. It was way too short of a time, but we did get to a few things.
This one’s for you, Juneta. Thanks for all your visiting and comments during the challenge!
We had just landed on the Big Island from Kauai on Friday afternoon and were eating a late lunch, poolside, at our hotel. My brother called. Here’s the funny thing. We had planned our trips to the Hawaiian Islands, not knowing the other was going. It turned out that we were on the Big Island at the same time. Not only that, our hotel was right next to the place they were staying. So, I answered the call and he asked if we wanted to ride up to the Mauna Kea Summit with him and his wife. I said, “Sure!” Sometimes, you just have to “jump on the bus.” My brother Phil picked us up and we drove straight to the top. In hindsight, that might not have been the best choice. We had just filled our bellies with burgers and beer. We felt a little funny when we got up there, more than a little of that uncomfortable, bloated feeling, and a little light headed. I read in their brochure, on the way back down, that it is highly recommended that you stop and spend a little time at the visitor’s center, at 9,200 feet elevation to adjust to the altitude change. Once at the top you’re at 14,000 feet. You literally go from sea level to 14,000 feet, and we drove straight up there. And, it’s cold up there! But, the landscape looked like we could have been on the moon. I took a bunch of pictures, and we watched the sun set into the clouds and vog. Here are a few pictures.
Observation towers on the Mauna Kea Summit
My brother Phil and his wife Sandy
The Biker Chef and I. Our waitress at the poolside lunch suggested we wear our Minnesota clothes at the summit.
View from the summit
Sun setting into the clouds. The most unique sunset I’ve ever witnessed.
Thanks, Phil and Sandy, for inviting us on the ride. It was a unique and spectacular experience.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: What’s the most unique sunset, or view, you’ve seen?
That looks like such a nice trip! I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii.
Beautiful pics. I had no idea there was anything called vog. I’ve learnt something new and am better for it. Thanks.
Anna from elements of emaginette
Maybe you’ll experience it in person some day, Anna.
Vog has been intense on Maui this past year, we get it blown over her from Kona. Although Kona is worse. I’ve heard people tell me they couldn’t see their house from their back yard! It’s not so bad here, but it creates haze and respiratory distress. And headaches and foggy brain, and we can’t see certain islands when it’s voggy. For the 2015 A to Z, I did V for Vog, with funny captions of things one couldn’t see. Maui Jungalow
Courtney, I remember reading about your Vog post last year and thought of it when we landed on the Big Island.
Loved the pictured. Isn’t wonderful?
When I was there in 98 we did not get to see the lava flow because its current had changed to flow under the island so not visible. Did you get to see the lava flow on top of the island?
The current changes year to year. The year before I was there it was above ground and some of the islander had to vacate one side. No one hurt they have plenty of time because it is a constant oozing volcano.
The science of this is so interesting. The hole is in the middle of the tectonic plates instead of where they come together which makes the difference from oozing volcano to horrible erupting volcano.
We could the next island forming just under the water in 98 on one side of the island. They whole chain of islands, as you probably know, was formed by that one oozing volcano.
I seriously doubt there has been enough time for that island to start breaching the water but wouldn’t it be cool if it did and you saw it? But this stuff takes millions of years lol, so invalid question.
Enjoyed your posts and thank you for naming me in it. It made me feel good.
Wishing you much more fun,
Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
It was so wonderful, Juneta. We did not see any lava flow, or a new island forming. Next time!
Juneta, the lava flow can change course from month to month. The last time I was on the Big Island, we were thinking of hiking out to the lava flow, but were told that it could have moved since someone last hiked out there, and we didn’t have enough time to really spend the whole day hiking. I’ve only seen it from a distance, but it’s beautiful. In the old days, people could get pretty close to the lava, even dip things into the lava flow and pull them out. My friend has stories of going w/ her artists group to make “lava art.” They don’t let people get that close nowadays, not if they can help it. That new island is called Loihi and has not broken surface, I think it’s got a few more thousand years to go. But I’m not an expert.
Cool to be so close to the evolution of the islands.
Those are lovely pictures, Mary!
I’ve never heard of vog…