CRMO--Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

We went to Craters of the Moon to camp and hike one weekend. First we stopped to sleep at the Kunz residence and to attend church with them--got to visit their Primary and Nursery classes!

We camped in the middle of a whole bunch of lava. True story. Therefore, we left the supervolcano to sleep in the middle of this volcano. This is like the year of the volcano considering our trip to the Big Island.

Any flower or lichen just lit the place up. The sunlight was so harsh that the photos didn't turn out all that great, but the sulfur buckwheat really popped. There is snow in the Snow Cone all year long. We did like three very short walks this afternoon. I thought the exposed tree root looked great and admired its tenacity to live and grow under such circumstances. A sign said that in summer the temperature of the lava can reach 150 degrees.

One of the things I enjoy most about walking upon the face of the Earth with my sweetie is the conversations that pop up. The thoughts we share...the exchange of ideas. We read a sign that mentioned that this 52 mile rift, these amazingly huge lava flows happened about 2000 years ago. We thought of 3 Nephi 8 which talks about "Tempests, earthquakes, fires, whirlwinds, and physical upheavals" that attest the crucifixion of Christ. In verse 12 it says, "But behold, there was a more great and terrible destruction in the land northward; for behold, the whole face of the land was changed..." And in verse 13, "...and many smooth places became rough." Verse 17, "And thus the face of the whole earth became deformed..." Verse 18, "And behold, the rocks were rent in twain; they were broken up upon the face of the whole earth, insomuch that they were found in broken fragments, and in seams and in cracks, upon all the face of the land."

Something to think about. All things denote there is a God. Under the direction of his Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ was the creator of the Earth.