Tarzan Swimming Hole Hike

Yesterday marked our first attempt at the Boonie Stompers, a local group that meets every Saturday to hike some trek on the island. You just have to show up on whatever Saturday you want at the Chamorro village at 9 am (the hike schedule is on line about a month in advance), sign some forms, pay 2 bucks for everyone over 12 and you're ready to go! The guides give a brief overview of the hike, and then everyone caravans out to the hike site.

these little beauties were everywhere

Yesterday's hike was to the Tarzan Swim Hole. It was a medium hike, about 1.5 miles each way. I strapped the baby on the front, put my back pack on my back, and started out. The hike itself was beautiful (though occasionally quite muddy), and I was amazed at how far we could see around us.

the boys are up there.....somewhere

When we got down to the river, I was very thankful to be out with such an amazing and friendly group of people. The guides and others in the group helped quite a bit to get the kids across the river without incident. Once we crossed, it was only a short distance to the swimming hole.

The water was surprisingly cold and refreshing. There was a high boulder to jump off, a rope swing, and a natural water slide. We all had a blast playing and swimming.

getting ready to get back on the rope swing

Unfortunately, we had to leave a bit earlier than the rest of the group. The oldest girl slipped on a rock and split her chin open. Thankfully again, the group was quite helpful in getting us up and out from our location. Not only did a guide escort us up so we wouldn't get lost, but others came along to help with kids, one guy carried my backpack so I wouldn't have to worry about it, and the guide actually carried the baby on his shoulders for the last 1/3 of the trek! It was such a blessing to have such wonderful people around to help with everything.

Once we got out we grabbed the van, got a quite bite to eat and headed straight for the Naval Hospital. Unfortunately they were quite busy and it took about 6 hours for us to get through there, but as always they were very helpful and highly professional. My friend was wonderful enough to come and stay at the hospital with us as well to help watch the other kids.

Despite the hospital trip, it was a wonderful day, with clear reminders of how blessed we are to be here!

Orote point and the Spanish steps-take 2

Happy Labor day weekend! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Yesterday (Sunday) was an amazing day, if a tad bit busy for us here on the Island. Right after going to church,we headed to the gym (which is right across the street) to change into hiking clothes and meet a friend to head out to the Spanish steps and Orote point.

If you don't remember, Orote point was the first hike we did following our arrival on the island (story here). Since then, I've learned that it was actually amazing that we made it out there when we did. Navy operational restrictions frequently shut down the site to visitors, and it is actually quite rare that it is open.

(I now have a goal to hike down there every time it's open while I'm here I think. It's that much fun and that beautiful )

Any way, back to the story. We met our friend (the same one we took to Talofofo Falls) and drove out to the hike point. I strapped the baby on my back, hand carried a backpack, and we headed down the side of the cliff out to the tiny cove. The trip this time went much faster than last since the kids and I knew what to expect.

Since this trip was a bit earlier in the day than last, the sun was a bit more intense, but it made the trip in many ways much more fun. We were able to see SO many more fish playing in the reefs, and the aqua blue reflection off the water took my breath away.

Despite the hike being "easier" this time we were still quite tired between the actual journey, exploring and swimming.

Our day was no where close to over when we got back to the car though. First, we ended up driving a few guys that we met while on our hike back to a ship that was currently pulled in but is normally homeported in Yokuska so they wouldn't have to walk the whole way back to their ship. It's a far journey, and they were very grateful for the ride. From there, we went back to the gym to shower and change, headed to the commissary to get some food, went home to prep food and then headed out to the first on-Guam spouse party for those associated with Adam's boat (all 6 of us)! WHEW! It was tiring, but a blast of a day, that ended with me actually knowing a few of the other wives I've been isolated from by being the only boat spouse on Guam for so long.

This week, I hope to continue the hiking adventures by joining the "boonie stompers". It's a local group that runs hikes every Saturday morning to different locations on island. Some hikes will be too much for the kids, but the schedule for this week looks totally doable! Fingers crossed the weather is clear and we can go!