Big lsland Here We Come!

[Norse]

You will love it! We went last fall - stayed on the Kona side - snorkled almost every day, learned how to paddle board, spent a few days at Volcano Nat'l Park, enjoyed some truly fantastic seafood.... I would love to go back some day but, like Indiana, it's kind of hard to get to from Minnesota.

[indysteel]

You will love it! We went last fall - stayed on the Kona side - snorkled almost every day, learned how to paddle board, spent a few days at Volcano Nat'l Park, enjoyed some truly fantastic seafood.... I would love to go back some day but, like Indiana, it's kind of hard to get to from Minnesota.

Awesome, Norse. Where were some of your favorite snorkeling spots?

[Becky]

If we end up going on a second trip next year, it's going to be something on the cheap. I almost have him talked into doing BRAT, the bike tour in Tennessee I did a couple of times before we met. It's nothing exotic, but I always had a really good time and the road riding there is quite nice. There are so few details to worry about, which is sort of refreshing.

I'm trying to talk my DH into BRAT for next year. Maybe we'll see you there!

[Catrin]

I'm trying to talk my DH into BRAT for next year. Maybe we'll see you there!

BRAT sounds like a lot of fun, and it IS my home state. I am considering doing this next year, we shall see

[salsabike]

This is by far the best snorkeling place we found--used mostly by local folks. http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/W...aii/index.html

[sgf726]

Love the Big Island - We have been there twice.
The last time was 2 years ago and we did a cycling trip around the Island.

Couple of my favorite parts of the ride where riding the IM course from Hana down to the finish and riding from the Black Sand Beach at the southern end up to Volcanoe's National Park.

In the first trip we did a lot of hiking. Volcanoes NP is great to explore and the Big Island Revealed mentions a ranger guided hike thru a lava tube which is much better than Thurston (which has been cleaned up for the tourists) this one is more natural but is restricted to the guided hikes.

Some of the best snorkling I have done is the bay by Captain Cook, where the statue is. It was like swimming in an aquarium with all the different fish.

Have fun.

[indysteel]

I'm trying to talk my DH into BRAT for next year. Maybe we'll see you there!

Cool! It would be nice to meet you. This year they're in Middle TN, so I'm hoping they're in Eastern TN for 2013. I've never done one in Western TN, and it doesn't hold as much appeal for me. They usually announce we're they're going by late fall if memory serves but don't come out with the specifics until spring.

[indysteel]

Thanks for the snorkeling suggestions. Captain Cook was definitely on my list, although I know there are some environmental concerns to be mindful of. Salsa, I'll have to look at that link at home. My office has that site blocked.

I also meant to ask if anybody has done any kayaking while visiting the BI. I'd really like to do that, too, time permitting.

[Veronica]

Last time we went we took a guided snorkel/kayak trip to Captain Cook. You can only land there now with permits I think. Plus it was nice to have someone bring lunch!

In 2004 we snorkeled across the bay. We had rented a convertible and that made renting kayaks hard. We didn't spend much time at Captain Cook, but snorkeling back, we got to see a pod of dolphins up close and personal. That was pretty cool!

It was a perfect day. We had gotten up super early to go see the lava flowing into the ocean at sunrise and then to have the dolphins...

Veronica

[GLC1968]

I've never been to Hawaii (except the airport as a layover on the way to Australia), so I'm extremely jealous! I'm sure it'll be a wonderful trip!

[salsabike]

It's Waialea Bay Beach 69 (named after a former telephone post...honest ). Maybe this link is more work-friendly...http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/sn...-beach-69.html

[eofelis]

And if you like geology--we are serious geology weenies--it is incredibly interesting to drive around the Big Island, as well. If you are interested, you might want to take the book "Roadside Geology of Hawaii" with you--fascinating!

I have not been to Hawaii but if I did go it would be to get my volcano fix. My bf and I are both geologists. Mmmm.....pahoehoe

[salsabike]

Oh boy. Eolfelis, you guys would love it.

[Crankin]

GLC, I haven't been to Hawaii, either.
Funny, it doesn't really bother me.

[shootingstar]

I've been to Hawai'i twice. One of the trips we spent 3 wks. on Big Island and Kauai. Another trip on island of Maui.

I loved Hawai'i because...culturally to me, the underpinning and spirit of Hawai'i felt very different from the the rest of the U.S. Yes, we did some cycling.

We took a tour up to Mauna Kea in evening where it was a star-gazing trip and to research observatory. The clear night skies are gorgeous! You could lie down on the grass and see the whole sky filled with stars.

It is near the equator, etc.