The weather was just glorious today! Mike took advantage of it by going for a nice long bike ride.
After a late breakfast (of Belgium waffles- Yumm!) I gathered up the boys and shooed them out the door- it was time to go out and enjoy the day! Of course, they were all thrilled to go with the prospect of exploring some trails with Mom.
Our first stop was the beach at Kadena Marina to take some photos for Christmas cards (which are still not done). Not very productive with the teenager not willing to smile.....
and then the youngest getting hit in the head with the football (lesson learned- give the person you are throwing the football to heads-up BEFORE you throw the ball!)
There were quite a few folks out fishing.
Here David and I are just playing around with the camera.
Our next stop- the Yamada Stone Bridge trail. The MCCS Hike Trail guide describes it as a mid-range hiking trail. "The path to Yamada Stone Bridge contains a shrine, several caves, a well, a bamboo forest, and an ancient bridge. This 
is a fairly easy trek featuring some fabulous views of both the Pacific and the East China Sea."We actually find at least 3 shrines, one cave, the bamboo forest and the view point. I don't remember seeing the well- maybe we saw it and didn't realize what it was? We also missed the Ancient Bridge- there were signs at various spots along the trail...but since we don't read Kanji, the didn't do us much good!
The trail is just of of R
oute 58 and wasn't too hard to find although we missed the turn off the first time around. We along the side of the road and headed out. At the start of the trail was a small farm/garden area. There were some huge 8-10" pea pods (well, they look like pea pods, not really sure what they are), bananas, papayas and some unrecognizable items.
The way Bananas grow are so cool!!
The highlight here was the huge banana spider- which David walked right under without seeing. He was less then thrilled when we pointed it out to him!
At the start of the trail, we didn't know which way to go. The first path we took was a dead end, but it lead up to this shrine. I loved the writing inscribed on the rock.
The broom just invited you to tidy up...
Not far down the trail was this shrine. The guys were already begging to leave (we were all of what, 10 minutes into the hike??). Some such nonsense about it being habu territory and sacred areas...we would be on the news as "American Family Disappears While Hiking- Never Found!"....Gesh!! I just laughed and hiked on. Silly guys! I told them if they came across a habu laying across the trail they had my permission to turn back.
These markers were along the trail at various spots. No idea what they are- they had writing on all sides. Marking historical spots? Map markers? Something to confuse Americans??
Here was the first cave we found. Hard to tell from the photo but it dropped down then went way back into the side of the mountain. Wonder what kind of things got down there...and weren't able to make it back out??
A side trail across from the cave lead up to this shrine and a smaller cave.
As we were getting ready to head out from this area we met up with a group of four mountain bikers. David was impressed- "Wow- what are the odds of meeting Americans all the way out here??" (Maybe because Americans are the only ones crazy enough to be hiking out in the middle of the jungle?") They were very nice- they had just finished two trips out and back on the trail. They said the view at the end was well worth the trip- even offered to show us photos they took so we could decide if it was worth it to us. I declined- "Oh no, we are going!" (I ignored the three groans from my hiking buddies). After a bit of visiting, we eagerly pressed on (well, I eagerly pressed on...the guys just didn't want me to get lost on my own!).
Another lovely (large) spider along the way....fortunately David remained oblivious of t
his one just inches off the trail.
Here David leads the way for me. Of course, I kept falling behind since I couldn't resist stopping and taking pictures.
We made it! Here we are at the lookout. A short spiral staircase leads up to the circular viewing platform. A very nice group of Japanese men were there- one of them insisted on taking our photo (thank you!).
Looking North you can see the East China Sea on the left and the Pacific Ocean on the right. Views are amazing!
To the West you can see the light house at Zampa Point.
Typical of Matt and David....
The boys and I.
These soft grasses were everywhere along the open areas of the trail. I just loved the way they looked waving in the breeze.
Mike and David head through the Bamboo Forest on the way down the trail.
Over Matt's objections, I had to take this photo! I loved the orange clay of the trail. Very bright...and extremely slick.
Here goes David on the final leg of the trail. As you can see, it is
very green.
Matt made it back to the van first- and played Peek-a-boo with us. He knew I was trying to take a picture and was teasing me.
By the time we made it back to the van it was after 3:30 and we were starved! After much debating we headed to Pizza In right outside Gate 1. We stuffed ourselves with thin crust pizza, salad, and curry rice (yum!). We had the boys cracking up as we related stories of their youth...from infancy onward. Brought back some wonderful memories...as well as making us realize just how grown up they have become...
One last stop before home. Still on the quest for a decent picture of the boys, I begged Mike to drive down to the Sea Wall before going home. Not much luck getting that perfect photo...but fun none the less!
The sunset alone was worth the trip.
Here Mike is laughing at the boys while I direct them to where I want them.
The "jacks" along the seawall.
I couldn't resist the look of this lone pair of flip flops waiting for their owner to return...
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