May Hike

Everyone is welcome for these hikes.

So far, only one hike is scheduled for May.
Saturday May 3 - no hike due to San Jose Fiesta.

Saturday May 10 -

NOTE: This hike has been re-scheduled for May 17. Meet at Jude's - ie: San Nicolas apt bldg near Kammer Beach at 8:00am

Cave. Rose Lazaro will join us and will lead a hike to a cave near the old target range on the way up toward Suicide Cliff.
Depending on how long this hike lasts we may go find some other caves on the way up toward the animal sancturary.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Grace Christian parking lot.
Bring your flashlight.

April 4 and 26, 2008 Return to Tachonga

First let me apologize for the untimeliness of this hike write-up. Excuses are cheap so I could give you many but the most truthful is that I just HATE doing the blog. If blogging is as tedious for everyone as I find it I doubt there'd be so many zillions of blogs. So there must be something I just don't 'get' about doing it. But for now on with it.

There have actually been two hikes back to the Tachonga Lattes this month. On April 4th, three of us, Mitch, Lina and myself set out to see the lattes and to search for another set of the stones. On the way we stopped to watch a crab on the beach who cooperatively posed for our cameras.

Then we plunged into the jungle where we soon spotted an animal looking rock. We decided it must be a gaurdian rock as it is near the beginning of the trail we take to the latte stone site.

Continuing onward, we came to the grinding stone. Lina tried her hand at grinding. Grinding stones were once used in this area to grind grain into to meal - I think.
Looking off to the right , we could already see our old friends the lattes. The growth around them was low and light and the sun was in a good postition for getting a picture of several of them at once. Given the spacing of the still upright pillar stones, if these were used as the base for a house or other building (as is assumed today) it must have been a very long one.
Lina wanted to sit on top of one of the pillars, but never quite made it to the top. Ater strolling around the lattes we went over to see the huge umumu tree near them. There the ever alert Mitch spotted a bird's nest with 3 eggs in it. We were careful not to touch the nest and only tipped the branch far enough to see into it.
Next we began our search going northward. There are other stones nearby that we knew about but we wanted to find another set of lattes that we knew should be in the area but that we'd never seen. After a short hike we came to a rather clear grassy area with clusters of limestones.
After clearing some of the tall grass we could see that we'd been successful and had found another set of lattes. These are considerably smaller and closer together than the others.
We continued onward but the boonie bee presence became too evident and after I was stung on the hand we decided to head for the beach. We came to a stand of banana plants suggesting that this was once an inhabited area but saw no more lattes. We were always in earshot of the ocean so it wasn't long before it came into view and we left the jungle behind.
Almost back at the beach we paused to admire a newly sprouted coconut and to marvel at its ability to thrive in the sandy floor of the light jungle area near the beach.

On April 26, 2008 the same three of us plus Erika and Kim went back. This time on the way down the beach we saw something in the water. At first we thought turtle but then decided it was not. Perhaps a large fish eating something. We didn't actually get a picture of it as it would only be partially visible on the surface for seconds at a time. Mitch took this picture of the rest of us trying to figure out what it was.
When we got to the grinding stone Kim took her turn at grinding.
Then Kim, Mitch and I posed on the 'teacup' stone of one of the lattes for the obligatory picture. Since only Kim had never been here before we took less pictures than usual this trip.
We showed Kim the umumu tree and the now empty bird's nest. It looked a bit worse for the wear. We could see right through it in spots. I suppose, like our own homes, they require maintenance and quickly deteriorate when vacated.
Then we set off toward the new (to us) set of lattes.
This time, they seemed much closer. Once again, Mitch is the photographer for this shot of Kim, Lina, Erika and me resting on one set of the the fallen lattes.
Having already run into boonie bees and knowing the likelihood of many more if we continured on we opted to go back and exit to the beach via our usual path. Even though that meant skirting the nest of bees where I'd already been stung on the other hand from last time. We made it back without mishap. At the beach we examined the shell only of another kind of crab.
That day I was in treatment for an abcessed molar which had me fighting off a migraine and with a new bee sting, as much as I love snorkelling, at that point I opted to go home. The others enjoyed a very uncrowded Tachonga beach.
Both verbal reports and pictures taken indicate that the snorkelling was great!

I want to thank Lina and Mitch for providing most of the pictures this time.

Mt. Lasu Shrine Area GPS Coordinates

Hi Everyone. I said I would publish GPS coordinates for Tinian on this site every now and then. So, I am going to start with the Mount Lasu area. If you happen to visit Tinian, bring a GPS with you so that you can find some of the more interesting sites on Tinian.

The first is the small hill that used to hold the Japanese Radar on Tinian. It is just to the north of the Shinto Shrine on top of Mt. Lasu. N15 degrees 02.495 minutes, E145 degrees 37.803 minutes.

The next coordinate is to an old crane from World War II. To get to this old crane, you need to get below the cliff that the shrine is on. To do this, to the stairs that go up to the shrine. If you look carefully to the south, just before going up the stairs, there is a train that goes into the Jungle. This trail leads to an old cattle guard and road that takes you below the cliff. As you follow the trail, you will get to an area with a small stone wall to your left, you will be above the wall. You need to leave the road at this point and head north along the cliff. N15 degrees 02.466 minutes, E145 degrees 37.810 minutes.


The next coordinate is for the Bomb Cave. This is a cave is full of artillery shells left by the Japanese from World War II. This cave is to the north from the crane. On the way to this cave, just past the crane is the remains of the old Japanese radar. Once at the radar remains, I have found it best to go down the slope to the flatter terrace area and than climb back up the slope to this cave. N15 degrees 02.569 minutes, E145 degrees 37.867 minutes

Right next to the Bomb Cave is the Window Cave. The Window Cave has a huge stone wall, built by the Japanese, with a window in the wall. It is one of the most interesting features along this cliff below the shrine. N15 degrees 02.587 minutes, E145 degrees 37.852 minutes

South of the Shrine, along the ridge line, is an old Japanese tunnel that cuts through the ridge. It is hard to find, but once located, it is easy to get back to. N15 degrees, 02.408 minutes, E145 degrees 37.781 minutes

Once through this tunnel, if you go to the north a little, there is another cave made by the Japanese. Once at this cave, if you head down the slope a little ways but not all the way to the bottom, and go south, following the cliff, you will find more caves and remains from World War II.

The last set of coordinates I have for this area are for a saddle in the ridge line south of the Shrine. This was one of my favorite places on Tinian because there was always a good breeze here and it was shaded. N15 degrees 02.352 minutes, E145 degrees 37.776 minutes

I do miss Tinian and the freedom to hike about any place you wanted to go. Maybe one of these years I will return.

Saturday April 19, 2008 - San Jose Cliff Line

My apologies for taking so long to get this entry posted. Before talking about the hike I have to say that I doubt any of us ever appreciated how much work Howard put into this blog. Doing one of these write-ups is far tougher than doing any of the hikes!
Also, Howard when you are reading anything I enter here please feel free to insert corrections, comments or addition in ( parentheses ) wherever needed. Thanks, Jude

On Saturday, April 19th 4 of us, Kim, me, Mitch, and Lina, as shown below, set off from the San Jose Cemetery to explore the cliff line from there to the Northern Marianas College Campus.

Following the route Howard had taken in the past, Mitch led the way straight up a rather steep slope then turned back to get a picture of Lina, me and Kim making our way up to join her.

At the top she showed us a small notch in the cliff that would have been used as a shelter in WWII. To demonstrate its small size I posed inside it. Short though I am I could barely stand up in there. We decided it would have been tight quarters for more than one man with supplies and equipment.

Later Kim demonstrated how small another of these shelters, chiselled out of the face of the cliff, really are. This one was nothing but a small indentation at the base of the cliff, probably enlarged a bit by man.

After climbing, scrambling, slipping or sliding our way back down, Mitch led us along the cliff line. As we went we noticed many freshly cut shrubs and saw evidence that coconut crab hunters had been there recently. Next we came to some old pipe and a series of cement supports for the old pipeline that ran down through there.

In the picture above is a length of pipe on the ground between the green leaves and the cement support. The next picture shows the groove the pipe was supported in. And in the shadows beyond the next support in the series can be seen.

A short ways later Mitch pointed out a different sort of shelter, low to the ground, with an opening partially constructed out of 55 gallon drums apparently filled with large rocks.

Exploring within she found one of the numerous old bottles that we see on the jungle hikes.

We all had to take our turns examining this one as it was so low and so small. Though we thought the earlier one would seem crowded it would was spacious compared to this.

While I was having my turn at the shelter, Mitch, ever the observant one spotted one of the several bird's nests seen on this hike.

In a much larger cave we found medicine ampoules, shards of pottery, and several other items left as reminders of earlier uses of these caves.

Outside were many rusting objects. Mitch's friend in Japan had told her there used to be a railroad line in this area. Some of the bits and tools we saw could fit with that.

A well preserved land marker also reminded us that this secluded area was once more heavily populated. Sounds of boom boxes and traffic nearby served to remind us that we were not really so far from it all today.

Other finds also typical on these hikes are grim reminders of less than peaceful times.

Sometime the solemnity of thinking about our two nations in long ago battles here needed to be broken with a bit of levity. We tried to convince our New Yorker, Kim, that the head of an old sledge hammer was actually a submarine sandwich. She cheerfully pretended to believe us.

The next cave was one of the largest we've seen. Mitch told us it had been a hospital cave. Large though it is for caves around here, it still seemed rather small for the purpose.

It took a bit of a climb to get there. Mitch and Lina, below, negotiate the face of the cliff toward the opening just above Mitch. Watching them, I was wondering how they got patients in and out when it had been used as a hospital cave.

Within were more items that suggested it's former usage. Ampoules, vials, a piece of a glass stirrer, microscope slides, etc.

Moving onward, we soon came to the largest site of the day, a cave/tunnel that had been well reinforced by concrete. We had to proceed with caution as it was 'guarded' from high above by a huge bees nest. Below, taken from the tunnel opening, is Lina looking up toward the bees nest.

This was not the usual boonie bee nest. It looked about 15-20 inches high and a foot or so wide with hundreds or perhaps thousands of bees swarming on and around it. Howard, can you give us more info here? ( edit: in 'comments' Howard says they're honey bees ) In spite of all the bees seen here, there were no signs of booonie bees and no stings on this hike.
Once we were all safely past the bees who seemed rather oblivious of us we explored the tunnel/cave. With an opening at each end, and alcoves in between it was hard to decide if it was a cave or a tunnel.

Near the exit, alerted by water on the floor, we examined the ceiling and found stalactites forming there. Even closer to the exit Lina pointed out a huge spider. One very different from the ones we often 'battle' in the jungle outside. We were content to give him wide berth and were relieved that he didn't seem to mind our presence or all our camera flashes. So, of course, we shutter bugs aimed a few of those flashes at him.

A short hike from the tunnel/cave brought us to the grounds of the now closed college,

and then to the cave now used for the stations of the cross and the Santa Lourdes shrine. We took a refreshment break at one of the tables there.

Then a short walk along the road brought us back to our starting point - the San Jose Cemetery.

Several torrential downpours shortly after the hike ended convinced me that we finished just in time. Actually we'd had one brief shower just after leaving the hospital cave. But the jungle was dense enough close to the cliff that barely a drop reached us though we could see and hear the rain.

For more information and pictures of this same hike see Howard's entry of Dec 1, 2007. And at Mitch's blog entry for this hike: http://michi007.blog70.fc2.com/blog-entry-28.html

A big thank you goes to Mitch and Lina for sharing their pictures to be used in this post.

The next hike will be Saturday April 26 to the Tachonga Lattes. Unless we find more than the two main groups we know, it will be a short hike so will end with snorkelling. Everyone is welcome. Meet at 8a.m. at the Tachonga Beach parking lot.

April Hikes

Note: post editted to add date of April 26 for the Tachonga hike. for details, see below. Since this will likely be a short hike we are also suggesting that those who wish come prepared to snorkel afterward. Bring snacks and beverage as you see fit.

Hello hikers!
Hikes may be somewhat less frequent (and probably less interesting) without Howard to lead and explain. Neither Mitch nor I has a GPS so we are limited to hikes we can do without one. Also there is a transportation problem since I have no vehicle and Mitch's small car is shared by multiple drivers.
Thus we will begin with hikes close to town and will experiment with having hikers meet at the starting point. For further distant hikes we will have to arrange for transportation in advance. Also, if you have a bush knife you might want to bring it along. With those conditions we will try to continue the hikes when possible.

If you are off island and want a hike that we can handle on a specific date please contact me in advance to make arrangements. tel 433-7171 or post as a comment here. Jude

Everyone is welcome to join these hikes

or to suggest hikes they can lead.

Saturday - April 12. No hike was scheduled in deference to the Red Cross Walk-a-Thon.

Saturday - April 19. San Jose Cliff Hike - for a description of this hike see the Dec 1, 2007 hike.
We will meet at the San Jose Cemetery - behind the High School - at 8 a. m.
Note: Editted to add - Mitch says we should bring our flashlights on this hike, there's a tunnel in which we will need them.

Saturday - April 26, 2008 - Tachonga Lattes. We will meet at the parking lot at Tachonga Beach. We've found one more set of the lattes in the Tachonga area so can lead a hike to those and then backtrack and try to find some of the points of interest that Howard showed us on the Jan 26, 2008 hike. Or we could try to find other sets of the stones as shown on the following map at Long Beach. We discussed the plans and scheduling for this hike during the April 19 hike.

Farewell Party

On March 28, the hikers gave me a farewell party. This party was at Monster Pizza at the Dynasty Hotel and Casino. I said I would post pictures for this party in my last posting, so here they are.

Below is a picture of everyone that attended the party. Even Mony showed up briefly, but did not stay to eat pizza with us.

Completely unexpected by me was a certificate of appreciation that was prsented to me. Below I am reading the certificate.

Along with the certificate was a boonie bee nest, I think in appreciation of all the bee stings I took for the group. It had a red bow on it and is at the end of my left hand in the picture below.

The certifate was passed around and signed by everyone on the back. In the picture below, Kaori is signing the back with Mictch and Masa looking on. Now I will have to find someone that reads Japanese so that I know what Kaori and Masa wrote.

In the picture below, I am reading what everyone wrote on the back of the certificate. This certificate will be something that I always will treasure. Thank you all for the company on the hikes and the great party.

Farewell to everyone. I leave tomorrow afternoon. I will miss you all and the hikes.