Singing "Sound of Music" Through Mud Puddles

Anticipating a glorious Sunday for revisiting the Sound of Music, we (Handy, Cutie, Giggles, Peppy, and Captain Charlie) gather at Chop's driveway at 6 a.m. and head up toward Mt. Tapochao. It is still dark, even with a half moon high up in the sky softly lighting the coral road. But Giggles and Captain C. are well prepared with flash lights. Giggles also shows off her new black light and laser beam as part of her new acquisition!
The uphill climb to near the top of the mountain is a jolt so early in the morning, but it does wake us up. The trail turns left, passes the old gun in someone's front yard (we are not sure whose house it is) and takes us to the first view of the southern tip of Saipan.

Death Valley below and Koblerville (?) and the most southern tip of Saipan in the distance.

We are awed by this fabulous display of the sun's rays

The first Sound of Music meadow. We see several trails branching out in different directions, but don't know where they could lead us. We stay on the main trail which is surprisingly well-groomed. Several times we are not sure which way to go. With our propensity to get lost on so many of our hikes, we begin to wonder if we should change our group name to Saipan's LostTribe Hikers! Regardless, we have fun wherever we go.

Seed pods of those nasty momosa plants. They are everywhere. Each plant must have thousands of seeds, no wonder they spread so far and wide. All of us are pricked on our legs and arms.

A noose in the middle of the boonie ready for those who can't make it on the hike! :-)

Panoramic view of Susupe and Chalan Kanoa.

Giggles, the "Grass Angel"

Taking a snack break. As usual, Giggles lives up to her reputation as our foodie-in-chief with all kinds of goodies. We have the view shown in the picture above and enjoy the cool air as we agree this would be a great spot to camp out. No sooner have we said that, dark clouds begin to gather overhead and before we are able to pack up, a serious rain shower catches us.

We have a choice of doubling back or continue the loop. We choose the loop. Soon the trail, which is somewhat damp in the beginning, turns impossibly muddy. The battle is between careful balancing and slipping into the mud holes. Chops, there is no way to keep those white shoes white for long.

The muddy trail seems to go on forever! Peppy is determined not to be a victim of slip-and-fall, she and CC clamber up the side and fight through thick growth of grass taller than they are and giant birds nest fern, while Giggles and others simply give up trying to avoid the mud. There is much squeals and hollers from the hikers to keep in voice contact. Handy even does a near perfect cow's moo...

Finally out of the muddy trail, we are on solid ground. A surprise find of an abandoned government issued van with a flat tire. Giggles, Chops, and Peppy checking out the van with their walking sticks at hand, ready for any unexpected surprises.

These are the culprits that have carved out huge gouges in the road, creating those muddy trenches that are impossible for hikers and bikers to get through.

The muddy hikers group for a photo in Chops' yard, with Rags (affectionately called by Frankenstein Speak as Raggea)

Showing off our muddy feet and legs. Guess whose feet are pointed opposite of everyone else's?

Peppey's GPS measures the distance as about 5.2 miles. It takes us 4 hours. Once again, we love the adventure, notwithstanding the momosa attacks, rain shower, mud bath, and the occasional loss of direction, all of which make us the seasoned hikers that we are! Next week: Oba's Cave.