Our Guam Experience

We have had an amazing opportunity to travel to beautiful Guam to work with the National Pesticide Safety Education Center on an invasive species project. This is most of the group that traveled. Betwin and his wife opened their home for a traditional meal. Bill and I weren’t able to join them because our flight didn’t arrive till 2 days after everyone else. 

This is the typical Guamanian greeting: Hafa Adai. 

Our hotel was on the beach. I could have stayed here much longer. The water was truly the aquamarine color and so clear. 

We were able to snorkel right there. 

The work started with a meet and greet at Guam EPA office. This meeting brought a lot of different agencies together to discuss how they can work together more effectively to control several invasive species, the green tree snake, fire ants, and the Rhino Beetle. The green tree snake has eaten most of the birds in the jungle and the Rhino beetle has desimated the coconut trees, which is an important crop in their economy.  


This is one example of a control method for the Rhino

And this is the other method that seems to work better. 

This is the plumeria tree where the flowers come from for the leis. 




We visited the University of Guam to deliver a worker protection program. Take a look at their view. Imagine coming to work everyday to this. 

The island isn’t too large, about 32 miles long and 4 miles wide. With the speed limit 35 MPH, it took awhile to get around the island but it was a gorgeous drive. 

This is the spot where the Americans first landed during World War II. It wasn’t that tranquil then. Now it’s a National Park. 




A colleague, Dean Herzfeld from Minneapolis, had a car and drove us around the island with a lot of stops to walk and take pics. 




I was amazed at the size of that philadrendon leaf. The vine was growing up a tree




We stopped at several World War II museums. Interesting to learn the Japanese side as well as the American view. 

As we were walking on the beach, there were a group of firemen celebrating some of their firefighters’ retirements. They invited us in to celebrate with them. The people of Guam are so welcoming. 





This is a type of necklace they make for celebrations. It’s leaves are used to make Chanel #5. Very aromatic. 


We were able to taste several of the island’s different foods. 

Of course, what would a trip to the islands be like without a Polynesian dance. 

Play time is over. It’s time to get back on the big United bird to head home. 

3 hours to Tokyo

11.5 hours to Chicago 

1 hour to State College

Yep, it was worth the long airplane ride. 

May 13-May 16 - time zone hopping to the East Coast

As we continue to head east, the terrain changes each day. 

This was our view from the Red Desert Rose Campground. Nice desert campground that even had a courtesy car for their guests to use!  

Still some snow left in eastern Wyoming. Look at that snow fence. They must really get a lot of snow. 

We decided to get off I-80 earlier than we usually do because we needed new scenery. Unfortunately, the new scenery was the flooding in southeastern Nebraska. Even after several months, I-29 only had 1 lane open for both lanes where the Missouri River has flooded. 

Even though I had seen pictures of the flooding, Itwas devastating to see it. The flooding continued for several miles as we drove on I-29 with the water almost still up to the berm of the road. 

We stayed in Hannibal, MO, at the Mark Twain Campground and Winery. We hope to visit that campground again when we head west again. 

Look at these beautiful field of flowers. 

Saw these yellow fields all along the roads in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Unfortunately, they are weeds and farmers have to try to control them. 

Last night in a campground was in Brookville, Ohio (just west of Dayton) at the Tall Timbers KOA Campground. Beautiful space but quite expensive for a one-nighter!  But we had a fire, wine and s’mores!  A great way to end a wonderful trip. 

April 2 - from desert to snow in one day

Our campground at Tonopah looked pretty barren but look, here’s a driving range!  You just never know what amenities you’ll have at your campground. 

Here are some more shots of pics at the campground with mountains in the far off background. You’ll see those mountains up close soon. Also notice clouds and then sun. That was all within about 1/2 hour. 

From Tonopah to Reno, there’s not much. A lot of it is Native Americans reservations. 

Here are those mountains and they are getting closer. 

As we came into Hawthorn, we came upon an Army base. The fields were full of bunkers, hundreds and hundreds of them. 

As we kept driving, we Walker Lake. A beautiful recreation area. There’s even camping there but we would be boondocking so need to do that when it’s a little warmer. 


The road we were on reminded me of the Road to Hana in Hawaii, twisty turny with a mountain on the left and water on our right. 

Can you see the purple flowers?  There were fields of them. 

Finally made it to California. Tonight we’re staying in Truckee which is in the mountains of Tahoe. 

Oh no, we found winter again. This is the Truckee River RV Park. Our place for the night! 

We’ll be at Shannon and Carl’s home tomorrow.