Merry Christmas 
        From Guam 

Despite the 85 degree weather, Guam certainly does not lack any Christmas spirit. Houses are strung with lights, yards filled with every inflatable character you can imagine, the smell of fresh backed cookies escape through the open windows, carollers fill the mall, gift wrapping tables are set up at every turn, Christmas trees are tied to the top of cars, hands are full of recently purchased gifts, children are lined up to see Santa, Christmas dinner shopping lists are being compiled, and plans are made to meet at your favorite beach.

One of the parks is decorated with everything Christmas. Statues of Santa, Elf's hard at work, a nativity scene, Santa's chair, huge Christmas trees, lights galore, toy soldiers, and even the surfing Santa.

I have to say, we participated in nearly everything mentioned above! Even though we were miles way from home, we joined with your military family to celebrate 'the most wonderful time of the year'. Our Christmas break was full of carrying on traditions and starting new ones. There were several firsts and many 'we gotta do that agains'.

The photo to the left is our Christmas tree. As we were decorating I realised there were several things I had never done before while decorating the tree. I had never decorated a Christmas tree in shorts and a tank top. I had never decorated a Christmas tree with the A/C on. I had never decorated a Christmas tree and broken a sweat. And to celebrate our great accomplishment of getting the tree up before Christmas, we didn't have hot chocolate, we had a sno cone!

Andersen AFB celebrates Christmas with Rota walk. It is a time for Units and base organisations to come together and decorate the houses of the higher ranking officers on base. The entire street is a glow with with lights, wreaths, figures, and anything else that can usher everyone into the Christmas spirit. Nate, Ann Marie, Ryan, and I volunteered to assist the Larcher's in passing out cookies in front of their house during the event. We put on our elf hats and aprons and prepared for the masses. Below are several pictures from the evening:

Ryan with the REDHORSE

Santa is in the Air Force... bet you didn't know that!

Thanks Med group for bringing us just a bit of snow.

coconuts painted to be Christmas lights

On Christmas Eve we went to the candle light service with several friends. I couldn't help but think of past candle light services at Biltmore Baptist Church. The congregation stood to sing Silent Night and as the song progressed the sanctuary was flooded with the lighting of candles. Each person stood proclaiming the truth in that "silent night... Christ the Savior was born". Even being surrounded by 100 or so people, the song, and the candles still had the same power. Christ was born to be the Savior, not just in America, but to all people.

After the service we went to the Wilson's to join friends in the "1st annual Grove Park Inn has nothing on us ginger bread house competition". Some of us took the construction rather seriously, other, well, lets just call it abstract.

My Pless family pool inspired masterpiece.

Ryan's "I put too much icing and it collapsed so let's see what else I can pile on" house. 

the house on the left is complete with a pretzel machine gun and teddy graham gunman.

Christmas day brought a day at the beach and Christmas dinner at our house. It was a new way to spend Christmas, with swimsuits and sunscreen, but was certainly a wonderful day with dear friends. Dinner included grilled chicken, steak pinwheels, spinach salad, mac and cheese, German potato salad, green bean casserole, Mexican pinwheels, and fresh baked rolls. DELICIOUS. Followed by a brownie sundae and apple pie... no one could complain... 

There was no chance of snow, no need for sweaters, but it was a wonderful Christmas. Until next time from our rock in the middle of the pacific.

A trip to the place we call home.

Oops! So I'm a little behind. Let me jump from the last post to the holidays. Then I'll try to fill you in on all the adventures that I skipped.

October brought Ryan a TDY (temporary duty) in China Lake, CA where he attended well drilling school. Since he made it back to the mainland complements of the military, we decided to take advantage of a trip back to NC. I headed that way October 25. Departing Guam at 6:30 Tuesday morning and arriving in Asheville at 5:45 pm Tuesday evening reminded me why people don't make that trip too often. 24 hours and 18 minutes of travel... requires you say a while. Ryan joined me in Asheville November 11 and we proceeded to catch up with friends, visit with family and enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving in the mountains.

A few things that caught our attention and reminded us of why we love Asheville:

I made it home just in time to see the beautiful Autumn leaves. 

Ryan had his very own welcome home banner complete with excited parents and a delayed flight.

We took a little time to be tourists when Kathy Lombardo came to visit. Enjoy some of the snap shots and see why I love Asheville. Delicious food, unique people, beautiful weather, and breath taking views.

Pritchard Park Chess

Woolworth's soda counter

Outside Garage 34

When Thanksgiving finally arrived we engaged is a few time tested traditions. Wednesday night took us to Fuddruckers for dinner and on to The Grove Park Inn to see the Christmas trees and gingerbread houses. I have to say I can't remember a year that I didn't go see the National Gingerbread House Competition. It is truly an outing that brings back scores of childhood memories. For those of you who have never been, you have to check these out. Start a new family tradition next year, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Food Truck!

Photo op in front of the huge fire place.

yep, that's all edible.

Looks like it could be placed under a tree!

Intense game of made up 'coin chess'.  Don't they look deep in thought. 

Thursday we headed up to Little Switzerland to celebrate with Ryan's family. What a surprise, just last year we said we wouldn't be there this year! Then we headed back to Asheville for dinner and the annual Thanksgiving night movie with my family. Even thought we were missing a few cousins it was wonderful to have family around. The Pless family has been growing annually for the past several years making each holiday get together that much more of a blessing.

The view for Thanksgiving lunch.

Ryan and Hunter colored their own placemats. 

The girls watching Cinderella. "The sisters tore her dress... again" ~ Anna Claire

The newest member of the Bowman family... Murphy.

Let's not forget HOOPLA, long chats with cousins, lunch dates at Mosaic Cafe, Early Girl Eatery, Panera, and Doc Chey's with friends, catching up with old friends in Fayetteville, spending a couple of nights with the Thompsons, lunch with the Garlands, Bennett's Birthday, bike ride in Traveler's Rest, Thursday morning breakfast with Memaw and Pops and several of their friends, dinner with the Wrights and Culbertsons, and hanging out with Grant. Needless to say we stayed busy and loved every moment we had in the town we call home.

Up next: Christmas on our rock in the middle of the Pacific.

what we've been up to pt. 1

Let me take you through a crash course of what we've been up to....


In no particular order:





RITIDIAN BEACH


Ann Marie and I went on an adventure to Ritidian Beach. This is the most northern tip of the Island and is a secluded are. The isolation offers a spectacular view of the true beauty of Guam. The beach is a long stretch of white powder sand and crystal clear waters. The drive to Ritidian is through part of the most rural area of Guam. It is a paved road that runs, for a stretch, along the perimeter of Andersen AFB. However, the road has not been kept up so watch out for potholes. When you arrive at the beach you won't be able to see it at first, walk down one of the trails between the trees and tall grass to take in the breath taking views.

The beach was pretty much abandoned. As you walk south down the water line you round a bend where the remainder of the island becomes visible. (See above picture) The cliffs sore just 40 meters from the water line.


The cliffs provide numerous caves and stalagmites to explore and examine. Exposed coral litters the beach. And you realize, it's just you, the waves, and God enjoying his beautiful creation.

Well, you're almost alone. The boys were at work and Ann Marie and I were up for an adventure. As we walked along the beach we came across a few local critters enjoying an afternoon snack from the coconut. Look close and you can see the pinchers of a slightly larger crab under the coconut. After we tried to uncover it, he decided to come after us. We picked up our pace a bit and made it home with all our toes.




FONTE DAM

Tucked in the ravine of the Fonte River is the old Fonte Dam. It was originally constructed under the orders of President Taft in 1910 to provide water to the village of Hagatna. A picturesque spill way overflows against imported red brick amongst a back drop of lush wild jungle. Imagine how strange it must seem to be trekking through natural jungle growth until suddenly a vast man made structure appears before you in the midst of what seems a completely uncivilized area. 

Nate, Ann Marie, Ryan and I headed south on our adventure on Saturday morning. We were prepared for whatever we may encounter. Cameras- check. Hiking/water shoes- check. Snacks- check. Machete- check. Cell phone (in case of emergency)- check. Nothing was coming between us and our destination. 


The boys were on a mission and Ann Marie and I were enjoying our stroll through the jungle. We took advantage of all the photo ops. Examined the unusual plants and hurried by the elaborately spun spider webs. As you can see hiking her is a group effort. It is nearly impossible to make it down the slick rocks. Just know that everyone in your group will bust their bootie at some point during the journey. 

With beautiful blue skies above us and green grass leading us to the trail head we could not have asked for anything better. We reached the trail marker (see above) and turned left into the jungle. The grass quickly gave way to dirt. The dirt quickly began to show signs of a near stream or river. Before long we gave up jumping puddles and began to stomp right through them. 

The dam did not disappoint. It was elaborately constructed in beautiful red brick. (You don't see brick here. Everything is rebar and concrete.) The water was cool. Remarkably cool actually. It seemed more like a rive in NC than the warm water we usually find on our tropical island. Needless to saw, we still managed to make it into the water. It wasn't the most graceful climb to arrive at the base of the dam. But it did offer a chance to wash off our feet and get a good laugh. 

It wasn't long till we decided to explore up the mountain on the opposite side of the river. The journey to the top wasn't any longer than half a mile, but it covered some significant vertical distance. Once we reached the top the view made it worth the effort. The breeze cooled us off, the sun was hidden behind some non-threatening clouds, and we examined our next option for adventure. With in minutes of our arrival the peaceful silence was broken by the hum, then the roar of the arriving rain. 

No problem, we aren't going to melt. But, in the sudden down pour my cell phone (in case of emergency) learned that it can not swim, Ryan slid down the red clay hill on his butt, the four of us became SOAKED, we made it back across the river and headed back up the trail and we began to loose shoes that became stuck in the mud. Sunscreen was running down our faces, everything we had with us was water logged, and all 4 of us looked like drown rats. 


Bonus: After the hike, we didn't need showers.... off to the next adventure! Mt. Lam Lam sno cones.... here we come. 


JAN Z'S BY THE SEA

Sometimes you need a great place to eat, out of town. On the south side of the Island, past Big Navy and up Rt 2, is a restaurant that sits just on the edge of a marina. If you ever make it to Guam, with or with out us, you have to head there for their pancakes. $3 will get you the most enormously gigantic pancake you will ever see. Choose from plain, banana, or blueberry. No matter your choice it will be delicious.  


Between the 6 of us we had 4 pancakes this size. I'm pretty confident we could have all eaten off one. They also serve one of the best burgers on island. The special includes the catch of the day served almost any way you can imagine. Even for breakfast you can have the catch with your eggs and toast. Just ask Ryan. He will tell you it was delicious. 


After breakfast, Ryan, Nate, Ann Marie and myself head towards Big Navy. Per the girls request we made a few pit stops along the way to capture some beautiful sights along our journey. More on that next time.... from our rock in the middle of the pacific. 

Boonie Stomp'n Expedition #2

Wow! I am so far behind.... A few weeks ago Ryan and I set off with our friends, Nathan and Ann Marie Wilson, to explore Marboro Cave and coast line. It  was a very simple walk down to the coast. The cliffs stretched on as far as we could see. The seclusion of the area is peaceful and thought provoking. Standing on the edge of the cliff and seeing the vastness of the ocean truly puts God's magnitude in perspective. The sound of the waves crashing on the rocks below became deafening at some points. The passage found in Psalm 42:7-8 came to mind, "Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me- a prayer to the God of my life." Growing up in Asheville, it is easy to take advantage of the magnitude of God's creation. But is is also easy for my breath to be taken away by the power of the waves. Knowing that his hand orchestrates the flow of the water, his words command the waves to crash comforts me in the reminder that he has orchestrated every detail of my life. He has paved the path I will walk. He has provided for all my needs.

Often, those needs require a sense of humor. Often, they require the company of great friends. Often they require the need for a gifted eye and quick finger photographer. That need has been met by our friend Ann Marie. While standing on the edge of the cliff, Ann Marie saw waves splashing behind Ryan. "What a cool picture! Emily go stand by Ryan!" I climbed across some rocks and slid in beside Ryan. At that moment this picture was snapped:

Then, like it was in slow motion... Ann Marie threw her arms in the air, her mouth opened wide... and before we knew it, that wave that God commanded to crash, crashed right on top of us. I mean it was win $10,000 on America's Funniest Home Video good.

The four of us doubled over laughing. You could not have timed that "really cool picture" any better. No one thought the wave would have crashed that high. We were standing about 15 feet above the ocean.

We continued to explore the caves and cliffs around the area. Tons of crabs climbing on the rocks below, the cliffs twisted and climbed out across the water. The solitude was intoxicating, until the peacefulness was interrupted by a rumble of thunder.

looks pretty intense huh?

Nathan and Ann Marie

We headed back to the cave and swimming hole. It is fed by an underground freshwater stream. Ryan and I discussed how it felt like the Davidson River in NC. Please note the 'rope swing' in the picture below.

The cave proved to be good cover from the rain. Offered a place to cool off and rinse off the salt water. We have heard there are 3 different caves, 2 you have to swim under the rocks to get too. We were able to find 1 of the hidden caves. It was barely big enough for the 4 of us to get in. The water ranged from waste deep to at least 15 feet. Ryan tried to touch the bottom but to no avail. On once side of the cave the rock provided a place to jump into the pool below. Hang on tight or you may be sliding down the algae covered rock. But duck when you jump your your head will hit the top of the cave.  The water was crystal clear and the rocks were stained with the slightest shades of red, purple, green, and blue. The pictures do no justice. 

Needless to say we are still having a wonderful time. Until our next adventure from our rock in the middle of the Pacific.....