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Every so often, you need a reminder of how small you are — and how vast everything else is. If that's what you're after, you can't go wrong with the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. #Travel Threads (1 of 11) 🧵👇🏽

Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on the Big Island, towers 13,803 feet (4,207 m) above sea level, making it the highest point in Hawaii and the second-highest island peak in the world 🌋 (2 of 11) 🧵

It’s home to The Keck Observatory, where two massive telescopes—each with a 10-meter mirror — stare deep into the cosmos. These telescopes are pivotal for astronomical research, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the cosmos. (3 of 11) 🧵

Getting there, though, had its quirks, especially considering this was an impromptu adventure. We made the mistake of renting a Dodge Charger — great for style, terrible for mountain climbs 🤦🏽‍♂️ (5 of 11) 🧵

Without a 4WD vehicle, we had to stop at the visitor center at 9,200 feet (2,804 m) and hitch a ride. Luckily, the first person I asked — a Chinese dude named Ping visiting from Taiwan — was kind enough to let us tag along in his empty Jeep. (6 of 11) 🧵

Turns out his wife had to stay behind at the visitor center with their daughter because she was too young to go to the summit. Soon, we were cruising to the summit, cracking jokes and swapping stories with an international crew of new friends. (7 of 11) 🧵