I’m really a water person. I’m drawn to lakes, rivers, oceans, and even the little stream in my back yard. But there’s something majestic and awe-inspiring in the mountains as well. I grew up in Pennsylvania, where the rolling Appalachians and Poconos offered the nearest mountain views. I remember driving down the highways looking at the blasting tracks in the rocks, and driving through tunnels in the mountains. The valleys always contained little villages or farms.
Great Wall of China at Badaling outside Beijing
The “saddle” between Mauna Loa (left) and Maune Kea
As I traveled, I realized that, although the mountains of home seemed impressive, they were certainly not the grandest in the world. Now I’ve seen the Rockies, the Cascades, the Alps (we walked the glacier at Mont Blanc), Fujiyama, the Chinese mountains, and the volcanic peaks of Hawai’i.
The big island of Hawai’i passes over a magma vent as the tectonic plates move, creating massive peaks.
Mauna Loa on a rainy day
Observation station on Mauna Kea
The entire island chain was created by volcanoes. The largest are Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two enormous “shield volcanoes.”
Mauna Loa (“long mountain”) is the world’s largest mountain in area, and although its base is deep in the ocean, its height above sea level is a respectable 13,679 feet.
Mauna Loa is actually still an active volcano, and to its west, Kilauea and other vents are still building the island with periodic lava flows. To its south, a vent underwater has begun building yet another peak, which won’t break the surface of the Pacific for many, many years.
Mauna Kea is actually the highest mountain in the world – about 33,000 feet from its sea floor base to its top. The height above sea level is a mere 13,803 feet.
On the other hand, big isn’t the only measure of a mountain. There is great romance in the mountains of the Scottish highlands, even though the tallest mountain in the British Isles (Ben Nevis in Scotland’s “Great Glen”) is only about 4,400 feet high.
Ben Nevis
These mountains are host to the stories my grandparents told me in my childhood – of Rob Roy MacGregor, of the Campbells and MacDonalds, and of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s failed attempt to reclaim the Scottish crown.
To me, these mountains will always be larger than life.
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This post is in response to a weekly travel theme challenge by Ailsa of WheresMyBackpack, on the subject of Mountains. To see other bloggers’ responses and get more info on her challenge, click here.
The Retiring Sort 
So true! I used to think the mountains in NH were big until I saw others. It is all relative…
BTW, I love the photos of the Scottish Highlands! The reflections in the water are so perfect!
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Thanks! The clouds kept coming & going the day I took those reflecting shots – I was lucky to catch these in a clear moment!
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Although all the favorite places I’ve lived in had a river run through them, I am, at the heart of me, a mountain girl. Great to see this–I haven’t been to Hawaii yet. This year will change that.
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Have a wonderful time!
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Rain or shine, majestic. 🙂
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They sure are!
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Scotland looks absolutely stunning – the mountains and water look beautiful!
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It never disappoints! Thanks so much for your visit and lovely comment! 😉
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Ammmmazing photos, especially the ones of the Scottish highlands!
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Thank you so much, Ese! The highlands are a wonderful subject!
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Stunning pictures…I’m also a water person and love mountains
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Thank you, Piglet! Glad you enjoyed the views! 😉
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stunning photos … your summits are amazing!
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Thanks so much!
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All your mountains are stunning. I’ve been to the Great Wall and the Big Island, but I love your Scottish Highland pictures most of all. 🙂
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Thanks so much. Those Scots mountains were one of my mother’s favorite childhood memories, and I’ve always loved them, too! 😉
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How wonderful to see the majestic mountains of China, Hawaii, and Scotland! Great post.
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Thanks, Amy!! 😉
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Beautiful! 🙂
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Many thanks! 😉
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These are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks – so glad you stopped by! 😉
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Pingback: Climb — and Photograph — Any Mountain (Travel Theme: Mountains) | Four Deer Oak
i loved learning about the mountains of hawaii, and the scottish peaks are so full of history for many australians too, they lurk in our hearts waiting to to proclaim themselves “home” …thanks for a lovely post 🙂
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There is something welcoming about Scotland! Thanks for your visit!
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you are welcome … here are my mountains http://imagesoftheheart.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/cool-mountains/
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These are beautiful.I have only seen the moutains in Tennesse and I was in awe.I have never seen the ocean and I love that you show these things to me.Thank you.
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Glad to oblige – thanks so much for vsiting and leaving this nice comment! 😉
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