Pacaya '07

Last year, I got to climb to the top of Volcan Pacaya and look into its cone of smoldering lava. This year, we took the whole family! The girls didn't get to close to the lava flow. We hiked to the side of the volcano with some friends and found a picnic spot to leave the kids on while the adults took turns hiking a bit further on to see the lava flow. The magma is moving pretty quickly, so we got close enough to feel the heat, watch the red-hot lava turn to rock, and listen to the crackling rocks tumble along. If we stayed in the same spot for too long, the lava would've carried us along, too. Fortunately, I was encouraged by the wisdom of my parents who have recently written a book about volcanoes. They have assured me that a "slow" flow can be in fact much safer than a so-called dormant volcano which may blow its top Krakatoa-style. If you, too, would like to witness the magic of this natural phenomenon, be assured that there are at least two active volcanoes within a few hours of our home!