Soap Creek Canyon 09

In the middle of April Elisabeth, Jared and Haley Jenkins, and I spent a weekend in Soap Creek Canyon in the Grand Canyon. This was both Elisabeth and Haley's first "real" backpacking trip and they both did a splendid job. The hike was hard (4.5 miles through rough terrain), the weather unpredictable (it snowed and rained on us for an afternoon), and the fishing was fun (although small, we caught a lot - even Haley caught 3 with a stick and a line). It was a great trip and I am sure to go back soon (as usual, anyone is invited - let me know). Check out the video of the trip!!!

These ruins are more unbelievable than the great pyramids.  Some of these stones weight more than 65 tons and had to be moved from the mountain they came from over the water.  There are tens of thousands of these rocks over a huge area of islands built into walls and structures.  They figure they were built about the same time as the Mayas.  The scope of the construction  on islands makes it fantastic.  

This photo was taken in Yap.  Mom and I saw then in Pohnpei while snorkeling.  I saw them as photographed when I went diving I Yap last month.  They are about 12' feet wide.  If there is one there is usually 5 or 6.  

this opening leads through a cabin area and into a deep, dark hold with torpedos, and racks of periscopes for subs.  

Here's mom heading down a corridor that leads deep into the ships hold.  Nothing scared her at all.  Even when a shark cruised by she was loving it.  

Deep in the hold of this ship were several wrecked zeros with wings scattered all over.  There were also shell casings and fuel barrels.  It was dark down there, but some of the divers had strong lights.  Good thing! We wouldn't get out without them.  

"All ahead full speed"! Too late!  

Here's mom at our New Romunam building charming the kids.  it was a 30 minute boat ride to this island.  These kids have never even seen a light switch.  

Here are the local boys at our Wichap meetinghouse sliding on pieces of plastic down the drive way.  It may sound strange but you should see them go on any old piece of plastic they can find.  Adam should try it on their drive way.  

Here are the RS sisters learning how to sew colorful skirts.  They were having a blast.  This at the Metchitew Branch in the middle of the jungle in Chuuk.  

We took this picture right after we got off the boat ride back from Romunam island.  Nice hair!  That dang boat just hammers my back.  "Why do you have to make it so bumpy?"

Chicken Coop

our coop is finally done! It looks so good. I guess it's not totally done, we still have to paint the name of our coop in the box on the top. Then it will officially be done. Our coop turned out so good. I love it! I can't believe how big the chickens have gotten.

Our next house?

We ran on to this gem of a house today on our Sunday drive.  What a classic!

Here's a photo of the tide out with our condo in the background.

Great adventure

On "Good Friday" a group of young men and the service center manager I work with went on a day long hike along the spine of Guam.  we started off at a trail head that was the starting point for a Catholic pilgrimage for thousands of mostly Filipinos.  It was a classic with crosses along the way and people reading from a prepared text at each spot.  At the top of the mountain there are several crosses and more written texts.  They even hauled a 15" cross up the trail to install.  It really was interesting to see.  After we left the crosses on the mountain we headed south for the next 7 1/2 hours.  It was a brutal hike but fantastic country.  We found 5 geocaches that we were the first to find.  

Yesterday we had some friends over for conference and noticed the tide was so low that we walked all the way out to island in the bay.  It was really interesting to see the tide out so far.  All is well  and we are doing great.  

Boat ride to Romunam

Since no one liked my fish cleaning adventure I will post part of my boat ride to Romunam island where we are building a new church.   You can get a pretty good idea of the conditions I work in.  

Here is a movie from Chuuk last week.  I bought some fish to take home and asked my mechanic's wife to teach me how to clean the fish the Chuukese way.  it was pretty expensive fish; $1.50 a lb.  enjoy