We run into Kimiko, who happens to be the person who has directed us to the plane last year when we were lost. While Sherpa visits with Kimiko, Boy is getting acquainted with his new friend.
Cutie leads the way down Navy Hill Road to the Lamar trail head. We are surprised to see that the road has finally been "repaired", and the previously exposed pipe dug up and discarded on the side of the road.
We turn onto the Lamar trail. New palm growth looking like fireworks.
The ever present sword grass has grown above and beyond. Here Cutie, SherpaJane, Rexplorer, Doug, and Scout pushing their way through.
We turn onto the offshoot that should lead us to the plane. The previously clear trail has become nearly impassable jungle. Cat ducks under this branch following Doug and Rexplorer.
Deeper into the jungle, we have the feeling that we have missed the turn to the plane. There is no hint of any trail, so we continue on up the hill, following Rexplorer the explorer looking for a possible lead to the wreck.
By now, we are pretty certain that we have missed locating the plane. Here Cutie and RedEye negotiate carefully around a cliff wall.
Are we ever going to find our way out of this jungle??
Rexplorer and Doug trample through the jungle to make a passable trail for us to follow. We keep climbing over branches and thickets of vine in search of an exit.
We come to a rock wall. We can either scale the wall, or weave through the pandanas roots to a gentler slope. Sherpa squeezes herself between the tightly packed root system.
Boy is carefully surveying the scene to determine which way to get to the top.
Rexplorer decides to climb up the side of the wall. At this point, our main purpose is to find a way out of the jungle. All thoughts of seeing the wreck has been abandoned.
Cutie, RedEye, and Cat going through this rock passage.
This interesting fern dotted full of spores, called sporangia. Apparently ferns do not need pollination to reproduce. The sporangia will eventually burst open and scatter to create a new generation of ferns.
HandyRedEye is the first and last butt-slider.
Rexplorer continues to fight through the thickets of sword grass, bushes and branches to lead us out of the jungle.
Doug, Cat, and Cutie follow the trampled path.
A cry of joy from us when we see the Coral Isle Condo in plain sight. Even though it is in the distance and over a deep valley, civilization is within reach!
Doug peering through the grass. We continue to follow Rexplorer's trail blazing along the rim of the valley, certain to find the exit onto Tapachao Road. Along the way we see groves of banana and coconut trees, sure signs of human involvement.
Very excitedly we see a couple of red ribbons, marking the hiking trail. Unfortunately, after that we see no more ribbons. Then we come upon a substantial banana farm, and at the far end we see this beautiful cluster of bananas and a bundle of ferns ready for transport. We know we are near our exit. A short distance up the slope, with a sigh of relief, we come to the well known Captive Way.
Cutie and RedEye bringing up the rear. Meanwhile snacks have already been spread out on the tablecloth right on the side of the road. Spicegirl is intently checking out a package of food. We savor the snacks, and happy to reach the end of this three-hour adventure.
Scout, SherpaJane, Spicegirl, Cat, Cutie, Rexplorer, Doug, CC, and RedEye. Even though we never set eye on the B29 wreck, we are very happy with this "jungle hike". Everyone enjoys seeing the truly beautiful jungle. The hike is a short circle, but full of interesting sights, and challenges. A five-sneaker adventure. We still have another opportunity to explore and find the plane...
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