In February 2010 we spent a week on the Big Island of Hawaii. This place has it all. The lava flowing from a raging volcano makes the island bigger every day. The best coffee in the world is grown here. The summit of Mauna Kea, which houses the world's most sophisticated telescopes, is often snow-covered, but an hour's drive puts you in 90 degree weather, spectacular beaches, and volcanically heated pools. Papayas can be had at 20 cents a piece on Hilo's farmers market - and if that's not your thing you can try the mangos, avocados, bananas and a myriad other impossibly fresh fruits.
During our visit, we hiked the Kilauea Iki trail, which took us through the bottom of a still active volcano. We visited beaches and forests, towns and mountains. While a week is too short to experience all the Big Island has too offer, it is good to know there are still things to see when we go back!