White Sand Beach

This morning we drove to the white sand beach North of the airport for more baby-at-the-beach time. This beach was much more to our and Zoe's liking, and was absolutely gorgeous, with fine white sand interleaved between outcrops of jet black lava. Oh, and unlike the freezing cold upwelling at Punalu'u, this beach had really warm water.

Here's Zoe in a castle that we built



By the end of our stay at the beach, Zoe had been "breaded" in sand, which stuck to her because of the liberal coating of sunscreen that we had dipped her in. Despite the warm water, she did not enjoy being rinsed in the surf in the slightest.

Next came more driving -- this time along the belt road to get to Hilo for lunch at Puka Puka: mmm Ono pitas. After a quick stop at a book store and coin shop, we headed to Big Island Candies, which was fun. Chloe and I bought some of their excellent chocolate dipped shortbread.

Next came more driving (surprise!) to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, where we walked through a lava tube

and checked out the view from the Hilena Pali Overlook

The crater rim was closed to driving and hiking.

It was getting late, so we grabbed dinner at the Hana Hou Bakery Restaurant, where we all had the Ono, and I fortified my driving reserves with a giant slice of caramel macadamia nut cream pie. It's supposedly the southernmost restaurant in the US!