Wow; living out a parrot head’s dream

Just came in from a run (Friday); had to stop at the half way point and just walk back. Started out with a clear sky and the stars shining like diamonds then add in a few wisps of clouds, the blowing breeze, the palm trees swaying and the waves crashing. It was just too hard not to stop and just take it all in. Living out one of those times in which you to get your head on straight and just kick back and chill. Time to let all those problems drift out of the way and just enjoy life.

Welcome to Kwaj time; slowed down and easy. Here, if you feel like going for a walk in the middle of the night you do so without a worry. Where just about anybody who passes you says hi and you ask how they are doing. Think of Mayberry, USA on a Pacific island.

Wish I had a better camera, or at least the skill to capture and share the sights here. Some of my photos are good, at least for me but it takes a long time to get them on the Blog. Going to start taking my camera to work; one of the guys saw a couple of coconut crabs last night. Not the giant ones (the natives and eat them but they are protected from us) but one will come along for a picture soon.

Of course I will admit it’s not what everyone is used to and not everyone would like it here. The internet is SLOW and there are a limited number of TV shows—would say how many but I haven’t had time to get a TV yet. I go to my place to sleep and then it’s either to work or on to something outside. Did I say that it is always warm here (except in the BQ’s where I wear a sweat shirt). I talked to one of the weather guys the other day. We beat all the cities including those in HI in average highs, temperature and winds.

So to all you guys waiting for summer in Oklahoma, for a minute or two, kick back, relax, turn on the Kenny Chesney & Jimmy Buffett tunes and know that “I’m enjoying the life!”

PS: Saturday—got off work early & went to Emmon beach for some snorkeling. Not much to see except maybe that turtle I swam with, thousands of brilliant colored fish and a great mix of corals J Going to try and stay up late tonight as I start a graveyard shift Sunday @ 1700 hours.

Still need more water time

I went out on the “Shaggy”, (the pontoon boat) last Sunday. Everyone splits the cost which was on $13.60, about the most inexpensive place in the world to do a two tank boat dive. The lagoon was not too choppy and we only had a few waves come over the bow and splash everyone. Mainly just saw small but very colorful fish and corals. I took some photos on the second dive.

I am still working on my goal to get in a lot better shape. It is so much easier to get out and run, when you can watch the waves crash and always have warm weather. Did a short run, stopped by the gym and then went out and snorkeled in the lagoon. If I could avoid eating so much in the chow hall I would be a lot better off.

Still working on learning all the regulations; the radio is plain text but everything else is numbers and letters, with some being the same as on the department but mean something different here. I did discover that I can sponsor friends/relatives who may want to come out. With the cheapest airfare between $1,500 & $1,600 now, I do not expect anyone really to come out but if anyone ever wanted to be on a island(s) in the Pacific (that does not cost much once you get here) I can offer the opportunity. Oh, any retiring police officer wanted to chill out and just kick back for a year, let me know. (I get a $ on anyone I recruit :)

Faster than a speeding bullet

Watched a small rocket take off. Will try and send video; it did not take off on time and when it did it was almost gone before my camera would work. Very impressive and just a small rocket!

Flew up and did a tour of Roi; an outstanding island to visit and even better to return and do some diving at. Took a bunch of pictues--lots of WWII history.

Another day in Kwaj

Talked with the EOD guys, they have lots of neat stories. After I work went out with the Outrigger Canoe Paddling Club. First time in an outrigger, lots of things different from the canoe and kayak. 7 of us manned the boat, which must weigh at least 500 pounds! We paddled to the other end of the island; there were two guys getting ready to go scuba diving with scooters. The two extremes, one group in ancient water craft the other getting ready to be pulled around underwater, without even swimming.

Sharks Anyone?

I’m here!

Wow! It's hard to tell where to begin. Apologize for not keeping my Blog up. Short answer, could not get on the internet, which is still very slow. Welcome to Kwaj time; try to catch up but know it is boring not having the pictures to share. Before I start I'm reminded about the guy who moved up north—loved the snow and weather but by the end of the season hated it, you be the judge as the year progresses.

After a 5 ½ hour plane trip from HI, dropped out of the sky through the clouds and into a tropical paradise. Coming in low over the ocean, clear the beach and there is the runway. OMG the bright blue waves crashing in over the reef, the smell of the salt in the air along with all the blooms from the trees, big palm trees, everyone you met is friendly!

OK, the job is tough. They postponed my training session so I'm hanging out with Joe, who retired from Tyler. He is showing me the ropes while I also try and take care of all the business of moving in. Wednesday the big task of the shift was going to the school and supervising a couple of 5^th grade school girls' work as crossing guards, as the kids break for lunch. They did a good job in blocking a couple of bicyclist for a second or two while the other kids pulled out and drove past on their bikes. Oh, we also retired the colors for the evening. (For the enjoyment of a couple of Cpls. that I trained, still on TPD, we have silver and gold badges & I have the silver badge).

I went to the Kwajalein Scuba Club meeting and paid the yearly dues. (Attention TPD Dive Team members; the big topic of safety discussion was properly anchoring your boat!) Did an orientation (night!) dive that included a wreck dive. Can now use as many tanks as I want (have to find more dive buddies!) but will have to find a trailer for my bicycle to haul the gear. It is hard enough to balance the gear in my backpack but the tank it is almost impossible.

The trade winds are strong now. Great for sailing but absolutely destroys metal with that salty wind! Tried to make do with a loaner bicycle, when I tried to remove a bolt, it fell apart. The rear tire wobbled but the spokes were so rusted out the wheel could not be trued. Decided that it was worth the cost and bought me a new bike. Something I would not have thought to ridden even less bought in the states; a "girls" 3 speed. It's the really hot bike here!

Several of the guys here already have their local boat license; I will not be able to get one till June. We rented one to the B-boats (with twin 115 hp) and went to Bigje Island (which is just south of Meik) for some snorkeling and exploring.

Starting to real enjoy my daily runs, continue to increase distance. Somehow running next to the ocean with crashing wave after wave next to you, is very inspiring!

Started two weeks of training today; got to shoot the pistol, shotgun and rifle. Should know what position and shift I will work soon.

On the road (or rather in the air)

Things are really going very well! The kids took me out for a steak dinner last night. This morning my wife, Scott took me to the airport, (I had some doubt that she would--she does not like to get up early in the morning). My plane tickets had me going to Minneapolis and then on to Honolulu. Just as it was time to board, the agent announced that he needed someone to be bumped (for $400!) I quickly moved past the other four people that thought they might. I moved to AA and went to Dallas. There, I got on standby and caught a flight that I beat my luggage to Honolulu! Got a sandwich, hit the email at the hotel, will try to rest for a minute before catching a taxie to the Air Force Base (0200 hrs.) and a military plane to Kwajalein.

Bud always wanted to be a po po dawg!

The last snow I will see for a while!