11/24/13 BIRD ISLAND
On a bright and sunny Sunday morning, our group gather at the Kimikaze trail head for an "easy" hike to Bird Island. Unlike in the past, when we would hike from the GoKart parking, up FEBC road before trekking down Kimikaze, we start at the top of the trail, thus avoiding the steep uphill climb on Ayuyu (formerly FEBC) Road.
Here at the trail head, Dora offers her special noni drink to Sparky, as Handy (Lost) and Cutie look on with great skepticism. Both Chops and CC have already tasted the concoction, and admit that although it is not as bad as some, it still has a strange after-taste. Dora swears to its benefits to various health issues.
The start of the trail is very overgrown, a sign of lack of use by bikers and hikers, and the fast spread of the sword grass during rainy season. After the tall grass segment, the trail opens up to the beautiful fern garden, orchid trees, and "holly" trees. Thor (aka Cheryl) tries to adjust her walking pole while Sparky and Handy chat away.
The trees at this part of the trail seem to have thined considerably to show a cave, and everyone scrambles up the side to check it out. Cowboy and CC take picture of each other. Note the beer bottle on the foreground. A number of other "souvenirs" are scattered near the shallow cave.
Sparky gets a closer look at the cave, and finds nothing special.
Outside the cave, however, there are a number of interesting items, including this metal piece Sparky is holding. Not sure what it is. After Kimikaze, we cross the road onto Autobahn. This trail is relatively clear, although the lookout point to Bird Island is now blocked by newly-grown trees.
Halfway point of Autobahn is the Bird Island Road. Here we stop to look at the signpost. Can you tell whose legs are those behind the sign? Our next stop is to go down to the Bird Island Beach.
The trail to Bird Island begins with a steep downhill, assisted by a rope which Thor is holding.
The narrow trail is occasionally blocked by a branch or two, or in this case, a tree. Cutie crosses over "ride" it cowboy style. Dora looks on, amused and waiting for her turn.
The trail ends also with a steep downhill assisted by a rope. Handy decides to forego the rope, and does it "butt walk" style. Cutie is deciding whether to do the same.
Dora, Cowboy, Chops, Cutie, Thor, and Sparky arrive on the beach.
Sparky at the entrance of one of the caves. Another "cave" further down has been our snack location in the past, but it is quite trashy now. We decide to return to the original entrance.
The beach is beautiful, but it is in full sun without any shade trees or rocks to block the sun. We retreat to the woods, away from the beach, for our snack time. To increase seating capacity, resourceful Sparky brings in a palm frond. We make do with the limited space we can find for a tasty snack break.
Thor and Bird Island.
Sparky and palm frond. Need a pillow?
A good four-sneaker hike. Cowboy, Dora, CC, Thor, Sparky, Chops, Cutie, Handy.
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12/1/13 Profile Beach & Field Hospital
Excited to have another new recruit, we welcome Ewok (aka Tim) with a hike to Old Man by the Sea (Profile Beach). This once-upon-a-time really easy and short walk is now blocked by a barbed wire fence, and the trail has been re-routed up a hill. Good thing, since the new trail is quite pleasant, and it offers a little bit of extra work to get to the beach. Shortly after 6:30 a.m. we descend onto the trail, with Sparky, Thor, Chops, Ewok, and CC.
Despite several rainy days, the trail is surprisingly dry. Hugging closely to barbed wire fence in the beginning, Thor, Ewok, and Sparky are careful with their footing and not touching the fence.
Chops posing for a photo op. After the fenced trail, we climb up a steep hill (with rope) through the woods.
After another steep downhill drop (with rope) at the bottom of the hill, we run into a field of tangled tree branches, which CC named the "crouching tiger" field. Here one must crouch low to get under, and without getting caught by, the web of branches. Thor makes her way out.
Ewok and Sparky follow Thor.
Sparky does the squat-walking.
Chops probably wishes she were many inches shorter! After this final hurdle and a test to our flexibility, we come to the clearing near the beach.
The profile of an old man comes into view. Looks like he has even grown some pretty eye lashes. The surfs are quite high.
Along the trail to the beach, the normally dry stream bed is now gurgling with sparkling clear water. It's a peaceful scene.
First time to see the Old Man, Sparky and Thor are thrilled.
We have picked a good day to visit this beautiful little beach.
Even though the beach is littered with ocean trash, at least they are "clean" and not smelly. Small comfort.
Ewok, Sparky, and Thor are so relaxed and comfortable, enjoying the tranquility and beauty. This is a hike worth taking.
On the way back, we do our crouching tiger walk, and then take advantage of this tree trunk under the canopy of branches for a group photo: Chops, CC, Thor, Ewok, and Sparky standing.
Taking a rest on the way up the hill, Ewok and Sparky are happy?? Since the hike is so short, we decide to check out the Japanese field hospital "in the neighborhood". But walking there via Egigi Road meets strong resistance. So we all five pile into the car, drive up to Isa Road, then down Egigi, to Gaga Karisu and through the Flores farm to the hospital.
Chops and first-timer Thor at the entrance to the main chamber. Only one flashlight is available, since we have not prepared for this visit.
Ewok getting ready to join Chops, Thor, and Sparky to check out the inner chamber. Although this hike is short and brief we have rediscovered other trails in the area that are worth planning for future explorations.
Our two hikes are worth four-sneakers.
