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. 

Mosquito Lake Campground- are you kidding me!

When Bill Shuffstall told me we were camping at mosquito lake campground for Monica‘s wedding, I said you’ve got to be kidding me. Who would ever camp there with a name like that. 

But here we are at the campground and it’s absolutely gorgeous and no mosquitoes other than this one we saw when we drove in. 

Let’s hope that’s the only one we see. 

We attended Monica Shilling and Joe Zappio’s wedding reception.  Enjoyed time with family and great food. 

After Bill left to go to the derby, Lenny and I took a hike. Peak season for leaves and really warm here plus no mosquitoes. 

Need to check with the staff to find out the mosquito situation in summer. 

Around First Landing and Virginia Beach.

The weather is too cool and windy for kayaking so we decided to go hiking on a couple of their many trails. 

We started out on the Bald Cypress trail and then Osmanthus   

Love these Live Oak trees that are all around the campground. They have limbs that grow in many directions, some laying on the ground. 

Since we are at the seashore, we had to have some more seafood. Today we went to the Dockside Restaurant. Food was delicious and sitting dockside was fun for those of us landlocked Pennsylvanians!

Sangrias were good too. 

Last night here, we had to take in the sunset over the Chesapeake. It was beautiful. 

Tried a selfie. Didn’t get the sunset in the background but a great shot of friends. 

Ended the night with a roaring fire. You can see Bill and Fred and Janet’s legs under a quilt. 

A fun, relaxing trip with good friends. 

Leaving North Carolina for Virginia Beach

We are sad to be leaving North Carolina but we have another fun journey ahead at Virginia Beach with Fred and Janet Powell. 

Fred and Janet are hosts at First Landing State Park in Va Beach and receive free off-season camping for their hosting duties. They invited us to meet them there. So away we go!

All tucked in our spot for the next few days. Now for some exploring. First Landing has the Chesapeake Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. 

Took a walk along the beach. It is much cooler and windy here. 

Fred drove us around and we stopped for a light lunch at Buba’s, She crab soup and a salad, and Oysters Rockefeller ... yummy.