Haleakala Crater by cdonohoue

Haleakala Crater

Here it is. This is the highlight of my trip. Most people do sunrise here. I bet it is gorgeous. It was also about a 2+ hour drive from our hotel. The folks at the front desk told us we would have to get up about 3. to get a parking spot for sunrise. After we got there we understood. There is a small parking lot below the summit and another small one further down. At sunrise they all fill and folks are walking up the sides. A bit too much for me at that altitude. I'm so glad that we did what we did. We parked right on the top. I just had to climb a flight of stairs to the glassed in overlook. But I knew that couldn't be the shot. So the camera caddy and I made our way out and down. Now it might be wonderfully tropical down below, but on the summit of the volcano that is responsible for forming 80% of the island it was in the high 30's with wind gusts that almost took me off my feet. We were both dressed in layers with gloves and ear protectors. I still lost track of time and wondered this magic place for a couple of hours taking shot after shot. I have a lot to learn about sunsets but love the flare that I got. I met some others with the gear and tripods that were just as excited as I was, talking about how to shoot it. The entire experience will always stay with me as "Magic Hour." In my wildest dreams I never imagined that I would stand on the summit of a volcano. I never thought that I would fall in love with a camera, let alone the lenses, or have any concept about how to get this shot. I had so much fun!
That's amazing!
February 7th, 2013  
Fabulous shot.
February 7th, 2013  
Great story Cathy I was right there with you. This is a great shot I would love to have been there.
February 7th, 2013  
Vee
What a amazing place! Well worth the effort of the trek I'm sure! What are those lines on the formations below....roads?
February 7th, 2013  
What an amazing place. Thank you for describing your experience. Made me feel like a part of it.
February 7th, 2013  
@vskolnik you can go on horseback into the crater and I think that is the trail. We were later in the day so we didn't actually see that part.
February 7th, 2013  
What an incredible highlight of your trip! This looks like you took it on the moon - fabulous!
February 7th, 2013  
Oh, Cathy, I am so glad you had such an amazing experience. What a great shot you have captured. Fav.
February 7th, 2013  
What a great experience. You are obviously widening your horizons and that's wonderful to hear about and share with you. Fabulous shot.
February 7th, 2013  
How beautiful! It sounds like you had the experience of a lifetime.
February 8th, 2013  
What an exciting experience for you and for those of us you have shared it with! Amazing shot !
February 8th, 2013  
Vee
@cdonohoue Thanks....that makes sense!
February 8th, 2013  
Cathy...this is awesome and I loved reading about your experience
February 8th, 2013  
Instant fav. The lighting was certainly magical.
February 8th, 2013  
Wonderful capture and a stunning scene. Thanks for sharing.
February 8th, 2013  
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