Kalapana

Yesterday we went on a little caravan into Kalapana to see some lava.  Alas, none was flowing, but we did enjoy hanging out with wonderful friends, enjoying the sights of fresh crusted lava (about a year old or so) and cooking out in our little fire pit.

Bromeliad growing in a lava desert.

The weather was a bit uncooperative, rainy/misty/foggy, but that didn't deter us from enjoying a very relaxing and quiet afternoon and evening.  After it got dark, 13, 11 and their good friend decided to make a bonfire out on the lava.  I'd been saying it all afternoon - "(13) is bound to fall and cut himself, he always seems to...." and sure enough, while chatting I happened to look over, and there he was rolling on the sharp lava, about to set himself on fire!  After a group of us adults helped him back to the site and bandaging up his bloody ankle and knee, the boys decided to chill and enjoy our firepit on much safer (and level) terrain.  Oh 13, how I adore you and your clumsiness!

I can never quite get over how things seem to take root and grow in the middle of the lava, like those bromeliads.  On the fringe of the site where we were hanging out was a few plumeria bushes.  Here's a solitary bloom.

There were lizards, too!  This guy must've escaped the flow by hunkering down in the agave succulents.

As the sun went down and dark crept up on us, we began to hear the chirps of coqui frogs.  I'm pretty sure that if there was a nuclear apocalypse, the only things that would survive would be cockroaches and coqui frogs.  Last week I found one in Mr. Kitty's Drinkwell pet fountain!  "Mmmmmmmm," said Mr. Kitty as he licked his little kitty lips, "breakfast sushi!".  I can never seem to catch sight of a coqui in the wild, so here's a picture I borrowed from hawaiiinvasivespecies.org.

They're quite tiny, maybe only 1" - 2" in girth but my oh my, they certainly are loud!  We've grown accustomed to them and actually enjoy their nightly serenades, but we have friends who can't stand the sound.  Here's what it sounds like at our house at night:  click to hear coqui's.

Oh hai. Me & my 4,000 friends are just waiting for sunset.

Today we're spending Memorial Day at home.  13 & 11 are playing Minecraft and are actually getting along (gasp!), DH is taking a shower after studying for a chemistry exam tomorrow and I've been snuggling on the couch either watching movies or crocheting granny squares for a birthday present for 24 (who is soon to be 25).  Now if I could only rustle up some coffee and a chocolate bar, life would be perfect. 

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely afternoon!