I have written before of liminal space as reverence. Marsha and I experienced it when, a couple of years ago, we visited one of the Monarch Butterfly sanctuaries in Mexico. From our bus we trekked into the sanctuary with many others and, as we approached, everyone became increasingly quiet in anticipation of an awesome spectacle. No one was disappointed. Reverence arises not only from the beauty of what is seen but from what is unseen–the knowledge that what was being witnessed is a mystery. (How, in four generations, do the butterflies know how to return to this particular space?) At the heart of a pilgrimage is this inner compulsion to experience the mystery. Beauty is the window.
So yesterday, in mid-afternoon, Marsha and I undertook another pilgrimage. Our plan was to hike 4 miles into Volcano National Park to witness lava flowing into the sea, arriving at dusk in order to better see the molten glow. We encountered several surprises. First was the arrival at the parking lot and being directed to a particular space. Clearly we were not going to be alone on this pilgrimage. And when we stepped out of our car, an old wizened guy (think Gandalf) handed us a coupon for a bike rental. No reading of guide books had prepared us to find a half-dozen bike rental vendors. For us, it was a no-brainer: let’s bike the 4 miles, instead of hiking.
We felt like frauds on this pilgrimage as we passed those who chose to walk. But it was the best $30 we had spent yet on this island. What it allowed was the time for us to hike an hour into the lava flow on the hunt for molten lava, up close and personal. You can experience our hike over the lava field and what we found by clicking on the links to short videos below.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yGrm0W8Bqse9SCbD3
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1Uh5auVXk0FnOEaD3
https://photos.app.goo.gl/J5aUvMmRxrTePZ9f1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zBTfm0DfFaLSIg5g1
What a wonder to behold: new earth being born.
In order to hike out of the lava field and to get back to our bikes before dark, we had to do a fast hike. What took just over an hour to find the molten lava, we did in 45 minutes with the light fading fast and our depth perception going as we navigated the undulations of the lava field. And yes, we did also see at a distance the steamy edge as the lava flowed into the sea. (The park rangers had everyone behind a rope at least a half-mile from the sight.)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/r6xq3yJodBGQEGvG2
Needless to say, after our 4 mile bike ride back, we were exhausted from this particular pilgrimage. Today is a rest day.
More of our adventures from the last few days shortly.
Green Edges 