This past Sunday, the hikers decide to take a long hike despite the possibility of rain. Handy's suggestion to take on the Naftan trail is a good one. CC suggests that we start from Obyan Beach instead of Hawaiian Rock. At 6 am the group finds their way to Obyan Beach by way of the airport and the terribly potholed road, then down the rocky road to the beach. The high tide pounds loudly against the shore, and some people are already at the parking lot getting ready for a picnic. Handy, Cutie, Chops, Alice and Capt. Charlie pack up and start up the road to the lower of the two trails. It is nice and cool, and we make good speed to look for the sign of crossing from the lower trail to the upper trail.
This photo is taken the previous Sunday (8/12/12) on our Cow Town hike. Handy appears like Dr. Livingston stomping through the jungle in search of the Fountain of Youth.
This is also from the 8/12/12 hike, with the step effect of tall to not so tall: Chops, CC, Cutie, and Alice. We hike the Cow Town trail that day, get caught in the rain, but nevertheless detour to the beach to check out the surfs.
Now we are on the Sunday of 8/19/12. At the Obyan Beach. Chops is looking at the high tide that nearly covers the sandy beach, but the water is calm.
We are able to spot the sign for the cross road connecting the lower trail to the upper trail. While negotiating the somewhat overgrown connecting trail, CC notices the grass ahead is moving. We all stop and look under the grass. Lo and behold, there is this beautiful coconut crab scurrying away. The colors are brilliant. We watch it leave the site in a hurry, probably after hearing us talking about how delicious coconut crabs are.
With all the rainfall, mushrooms are everywhere. This and the following pictures show the variety of mushrooms, none of which we know the names of.
These are little guys.
These are about 1.5 inch around and flat.
This one is slightly yellowish, in an umbrella shape.
One of the old abandoned gates along the side of the upper trail, fallen on its side. It is decided that it is of the Japanese vintage. The top holds some sort of light fixture, the cutout appears to be where a plaque might have been.
Looking down the trail we see this tunnel created by the tangan tangan trees. It looks quite romantic.
Today is Handy and Cutie's 25th Silver Anniversary! How appropriate that we notice this passion fruit flower. Handy and Cutie point to this symbol of their passion for each other.
Happy Anniversary, Handy & Cutie!
A pretty caterpillar, soon to be a butterfly.
Here we are at Naftan Point. This is the southern most end of the island. To reach as far as where Chops and Handy are, they have to negotiate over some pretty rough and sharp coral rocks. Fortunately they each have a hiking pole for support. The water is again quite unusually calm.
The big gun facing the Tinian channel has quite a bit of rust on the barrel. Cutie and Handy pose for another anniversary photo. We have planned to have our snacks on the ledge, but it looks a little crowded with overgrown plants, so we decide to find another spot to spread out our goodies.
Notice we have no more photos to show. That is because as soon as we have left the big gun, we are caught in a downpour. The rain never ceases from the big gun all the way back to the parking lot at Obyan Beach. We look like a bunch of wet chickens, completely soaked and drenched. We slosh through riverlets on the trail, and dripping branches along the sides. The only person remains relatively dry is Cutie, who as always, comes prepared with an umbrella. Far from being upset by rain, we love it.
Nothing like an adventure in heavy rain to make a good hike into a great hike. Besides, we end up eating our snacks in the car, on the way home. Cutie's hat turns into a food basket, and we pass it around to find our favorite fare. A definite Five-Sneaker hike!
