I'd like to be a pilot.

Seriously, helicopters are possibly the coolest mode of transportation that I have ever experienced. The helicopter is so small and light (with no doors!) that the winds were pushing us around, but somehow we managed to get to where we needed to go.

All HVO volunteers are taken up to the skies at least once during the visit, and my turn came last Friday morning (11/20). Conditions were ripe for a smooth flight, with bright blue skies and relatively light mist over Pu`u `O`o. We started our brief journey by flying over Halema`uma`u (and we swerved on my side so that I was directly over the vent, staring Pele in the face).

Above is Kelly photographing the summit vent, and below, an artsy photo while we're landing.

The view of the ocean entry with the big plumes (Waikupanaha), and you can see the new ocean entry (West Waikupanaha) with the smaller plume in the distance.

Fun with the camera while we're on the ground...

We took a short stop to sample the fresh flows west of the lava tube. This was the most active (aka fastest) lava I've seen yet! Also, flightsuits are hott. I'm getting one when I get home.

What an adrenaline rush! I have to do this again sometime.

All photos in this post are property of the USGS.