03-09-2008, 08:48 AM
I just spent a few hours talking story with a Civil Defense Guy inside the gate....(I spent the night at a friend's lot last night & was already inside the gate - lucky me). As of 9am this morning (Sunday), the gate is closed at end of the road, with a police officer keeping cars out (until 2pm). THey are strictly enforcing the 2pm opening time, even if you are on foot!
If you choose to park and walk in, you can only go to the beginning of the last Kipuka until 2pm. You cannot go any further to see lava, even on foot! Civil defense will NOT let anyone walk in until 2pm. I saw 8 people turned back while I sat around talking story with the Civil Defense guy at the last Kipuka. A few folks asked if they could sneak in & the (very nice) Civil Defense fellow said that the Police are out at the new viewing site ticketing and removing anyone who sneaks in. They're also using helicopters to spot folks trying to sneak in by going around on the old flows.
All of the CD and PD guys I encountered were super nice and patient, but then, so was I
Be nice to those guys, it's flipping hot and tedious out there! I have to say that their efforts are really paying off. Traffic last night was mind-boggling in volume, but it DID flow...thanks to traffic control. Much better than the parking cluster*** we got caught in a few nights ago.
Also, It was INSANE at 5pm last night. It took us an hour to get into my friends lot from end of the road - usually it takes 10 minutes! I couldn't believe how many people were there. Solid cars streaming in and parked all the way back at the Kalapana turnoff on the highway. It felt like we were coming to a Stadium Concert! If you're planning to get down there for sunset, factor in at least an extra hour to drive in or park. It seems like the whole dang island is down there!
If you choose to park and walk in, you can only go to the beginning of the last Kipuka until 2pm. You cannot go any further to see lava, even on foot! Civil defense will NOT let anyone walk in until 2pm. I saw 8 people turned back while I sat around talking story with the Civil Defense guy at the last Kipuka. A few folks asked if they could sneak in & the (very nice) Civil Defense fellow said that the Police are out at the new viewing site ticketing and removing anyone who sneaks in. They're also using helicopters to spot folks trying to sneak in by going around on the old flows.
All of the CD and PD guys I encountered were super nice and patient, but then, so was I
Be nice to those guys, it's flipping hot and tedious out there! I have to say that their efforts are really paying off. Traffic last night was mind-boggling in volume, but it DID flow...thanks to traffic control. Much better than the parking cluster*** we got caught in a few nights ago.Also, It was INSANE at 5pm last night. It took us an hour to get into my friends lot from end of the road - usually it takes 10 minutes! I couldn't believe how many people were there. Solid cars streaming in and parked all the way back at the Kalapana turnoff on the highway. It felt like we were coming to a Stadium Concert! If you're planning to get down there for sunset, factor in at least an extra hour to drive in or park. It seems like the whole dang island is down there!
* I'd rather fail at happiness than succeed at misery *