Well, we decided to go for another hike this past weekend. So, we offered to all the Company Grade Officers (CGOs … this is what the Air Force calls its junior officers in the ranks of lieutenant and captain) that we would take everyone down to the Double Reef Beach.
So, our weekend started out as it usually does here on Guam. We did a 5K race first thing on Saturday morning. Since it was the weekend before Valentine’s day, they had a couples race. It was a normal 5K, with the twist that each couple ran a relay 5K (meaning one ran a 5K, then came back and tagged their partner for the second 5K). It was a nice change and a lot of fun.
After our warm up in the morning, we met up with everyone. Although there are well over 100 CGOs on base, only 10 hardy people dared venture into the jungle with us. Perhaps our reputation of taking the long and hard way has preceded us. 🙂
Well, regardless, we didn’t have much trouble getting down to the beach. It’s a very pretty and secluded beach. Since the only land access is through Navy property, it limits the number of visitors.
When we got to the beach, pretty much everyone was ready to jump in the water and cool off after the steamy hike through the jungle.
Here’s the view we found when we got to the beach:
About half the group decided to go for a long distance snorkel. The other half explored the shoreline and ate a light lunch. Here we are enjoying a little food.
A couple more shots of the beach. As you can see, the trees have grown out over the sand. They were probably straight at one time, but the wind and weather have caused them to list slightly. It’s nice to be able to hide in their shade though.
Here are the snorkelers … if you look close you can see someone with their head out of the water.
We stayed and played in the water for quite a while. In fact, so long that half of the group had to part ways and head back up the trail to attend an awards ceremony that was going on that night. Everyone else joined Anna and I for a continuation hike a little further down the coast. This time, we were hiking on the coral mantle. Since the tide was almost at high tide (and it was about a full moon), the water was quite high. As we traveled, we’d have to stop for the waves to come in and go back out so that we could pick our way through the coral, and not get swept out to sea. Not to worry though, the waves weren’t too strong, so there was little real danger. Just slow going.
Eventually, we reach a small cave that looked very inviting. It was the same cave that we explored the last time we were at Double Reef beach. This time we came prepared with underwater flashlights though, so we could see what was around us.
Here’s what it looked like:
Our destination on this part of the hike was a natural arch. Here’s a picture from under the land bridge.
Our friends Andy and Jen:
The plants even grow in precarious places…
Here we all are after the hike.
Well, it was another fun hike through the jungles of Guam. Next up is a trip up the highest mountain in the world … Mt Lam Lam.
Ok, so it’s only the highest if you measure from the bottom of the Marianas Trench (35,798 feet below sea level). So, if you add to that the 1,332 ft ABOVE sea level that Mt Lam Lam soars, it’s much higher than the mere 29,035 feet that Mt Everest stands. That will be our next hiking destination.
We’ll keep you all posted on how it unfolds.
Until then.
–Jim
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Our Family Story.