Kimikazi Reunion

With the combination of rainy season and the recent storm, many of the hiking trails are either inaccessible or just plain too wet. One trail that remains fairly dry and mostly open is the Kimikazi trail. On Sunday the 19th, nine hikers gather at the Marpi GoKart parking lot for a reunion hike to stretch our legs and expand our lungs with a hearty climb up the old FEBC (Ayuyu) Road. 

As we leave the GoKart lot for the main road, we are delighted to see this rainbow. It is a welcome sign foretelling a good hike.

  

Handy showing off his brand new shoes.

This new sign marking the entrance to the Kimikaze Trail and the Conservation Area Boundary. It is a good sign encouraging hikers and bikers to preserve the trail, the plants and animals, and no motorized vehicles.

First group photo before PTShelley and HandyRedEye make their turnaround trip back to the car park. Here Shelley, dog Winnie, RedEye, Chops, Lee, Ewok, Giggles, Cutie, WonderWoman, and Capt. Charlie bid farewell. Shelley has an appointment to attend, but why is RedEye going back?

One of HandyRedEye's brand new shoes has come unglued. It is deja vu with our Laderan Tanghke hike a few months ago where RedEye lost both soles of his other "new" shoes. 

To make walking more easy, PT decides to yank off the other sole of Handy's "new" shoe, which comes off easily. Now Handy is truly soleless!

We have expected the tall sword grass at the beginning of the trail, so we plough through the grass and mimosa. But after the sword grass, we are surprised at how jungly the trail has become. Several trees have fallen,  blocking the trail. Giggles getting ready to crawl under the branches.

Cutie, Chops, WonderWoman, and Ewok take their turn.

There is a general feeling that the Kimikaze trail has a different atmosphere with its more jungly appearance, even though the trail is still easy to follow. 

A big fungus growing on the tree trunk.

A large tree fell across the trail.

Ewok checking out this vine that has snaked around the tree.

At the end of Kimikazi and beginning of Autobaun, we spread out our snacks to enjoy a leisurely break before we head back.

Last week's cupcakes become this week's cinnamon rolls. Giggles does it again!

Just as we get ready to pack up, large drops of rain start to fall. Chops and Ewok spread out their rain gear. WonderWoman and Cutie are well prepared with umbrellas. The rest will just get wet.

LET IT RAIN...

The rain has stopped, but this rain laden tree branch let Giggles peek through a small opening. The trail remains quite dry, the air is cool, although the sun has come out and humidity is heavy. We have actually enjoyed the momentary drenching by the rain. The return trip ends quite quickly and pleasantly. 

Picture of the remaining seven hikers at the parking lot: CC, Cutie, WonderWoman, Ewok, Lee, Chops, and Giggles.

Before we leave, we hear fire trucks, ambulance, and police cars rushing north. We decide to follow and see what is happening. 

We follow the emergency vehicles to the Grotto, and find out that a body has been discovered floating on the Grotto water. 

This is an unusual ending to our Sunday hike.