I told myself last year that I wasn’t going to travel as much in 2014.

It was taking me away from my work, I was missing too many dinners and weddings, and my dogs were starting to hate me.

But so far, it’s only February and I’m already on my second weekend jaunt.

So much for that.

But both trips — to Maui a couple of weeks ago and to the Big Island this weekend — are work-related, so I’m justified in leaving.

Though, to be honest, I plan to do a lot more than just work on this three-day jaunt.

The Big Island is one of my favorite destinations for several reasons: first off, it’s huge, sprawling over 4,028 square miles. It’s larger than all of the other islands in the archipelago combined. (That’s why it’s called the “Big” Island.) In addition, the island, thanks to its vastness, offers a variety of environments and natural wonders, including the world’s most active volcano (Kilauea) and the tallest mountain in the world (Maunakea). There are lush rainforests and volcanic deserts. You’d be hard-pressed to find another location in the world where you can be playing in snow at the top of a mountain, then later — and the time all depends on how fast you drive, of course — be surfing in the warm Pacific Ocean.

There are national parks, black sand beaches, coffee farms, hiking trails, farmer’s markets, local restaurants and my favorite grocery store in the world, KTA.

So far, the agenda looks like this: arrive in Hilo, grab food at KTA, head to Volcano, where we’ll be staying at a new B&B. We’ll plant koa trees tomorrow and look for native birds in the afternoon, maybe eat dinner at one of the best Thai restaurants on the island. That’s about it. Not a bad way to spend a “work trip,” huh?

Got any favorite stops or haunts in Hilo?