Made it through the night. A palm tree blew down last night. Actually happened while I was outside bringing the dogs in. That was the height of excitement for us.

I’m surprised that the trash collectors came through overnight and picked up my trash. Coolio. Power’s still out. Not coolio.

Don’t have any position updates, I know it past around 3 am and things are slowly calming down. I think it churned right over us because it was pretty rowdy for a few hours there. Last storm track had it going over southern Guam.

Time to shower, wake the kids and head into town.

So the power went out around 9:00 pm tonight. Winds are picking up but nothing really sketchy yet.

Might as well get some shut eye. Though it is funky how now I can still be connected on my phone, check the radar and forecast, even post here from my phone.

Night and I’ll check in tomorrow morning.

Just got back inside after clearing stuff up outside. Still not much activity; some rain, a little wind. The literal calm before the storm. So I stuck the Guam radar image over there on the sidebar just now. You can see the swirls…

Also check out my dedicated weather page.

Heading into town to secure the art studio now. While the windows are not a worry, the ceiling in the studio has a few leaks. Need to make sure the buckets are placed in the right places and everything is secure outside in the parking lot and behind the building.

Shades of 2002, when Typhoon Chata’an hit right around Independence Day

Tropical Depression 10W is churning away south of Guam right now. Closest approach expected in 36-48 hours. Tomorrow night, Thursday morning. Going to be a wet July 4th.

Here’s a storm track for y’all…

This post on Kevin Kelly’s Cool Tools blog is the funniest thing I’ve stumbled across in a long time. I sent this on Whats App to somebody the other day and he thought it was an actual advertising circular I was sending him.

My favorite? Either the 8 function electronic multi-tool (AC/DC current tester, meat thermometer, gaydar, searchable bible, paternity tester and corn on the cob holder) or the 12 hp, 4500 watt noise and fume generator (“take it camping and destroy the peace and quiet of everyone around you!”)

I was saddened last week to learn about the passing of Mark Woods in February 2017. He was the incredibly prolific blogger who created my absolute favorite site on the internet, Wood S Lot. I was shocked to realize that almost two years have elapsed since his last post. His posts were filled with more literature, poems and art than I could ever delve into in a reasonable amount of time. The sheer amount of work that went into this blog boggles my mind. Years and years and years of incredibly dense and obscure culture. It is with regret that I realize far too much time passed before I checked into his weblog last week, and never again shall I find new content on his pages.

Thank you for the years and years of culture and art you brought into my life.

Here are the boonie stomps offered by the Guam Boonie Stompers for the next couple months. I will post these on the calendar when I get the chance…

07 APR Sella Bay Medium 4 hours for 1.5 miles We hike to the scenic bay to snorkel and explore the old Spanish bridge, Spanish oven, and ancient chamorro latte. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, snorkel gear, gloves, insect repellent, sun screen, sunglasses, lunch, and camera.

14 APR Hilaan, Lost Pond & Shark’s Hole Medium 3 hours for 2.6 miles We hike north from Tanguisson Beach and snorkel at Shark’s Hole of the water is calm, also visit the fresh water pool for a cool swim in the jungle behind the beach. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, snorkel gear, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Hiking over some rough rocks and in the water.

21 APR Upper Sigua and Alutom Falls Medium 4 hours for 2.5 miles We hike to two cooling and scenic waterfalls in central Guam. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swimsuit, sunglasses, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Steep slopes, mud, and climbing with a rope.

28 APR Umatac to Toguan Easy 3 hours for 1.2 miles This is a cleanup hike. We enjoy this scenic coastal walk while cleaning up the coastline. At Toguan Bay, we can snorkel or scuba dive. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking boots, swim suit, snorkel gear, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, and camera.

05 MAY Mt. Sasalaguan Difficult 6 hours for 4.2 miles We hike through ridgeline of southern mountains. At the summit, you will be rewarded with views of Cocos Island and the neighboring Mt Schroeder and Mt Finansanta. Bring: 4 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, sun screen, insect repellant, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Swordgrass, little shade, a lot of climbing, and a seriously long hike.

12 MAY Talofofo Caves Medium 3 hours for 0.8 miles We explore the extensive cave system overlooking Talofofo Bay including Window Rock. Bring: flashlights, 2 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, long pants, sun screen, insect repellant, lunch, camera, and a flashlight. Special condition: Crawling in caves.

19 MAY Asiga Cave Difficult 4 hours for 1.5 miles We visit an isolated southeastern wilderness area containing cliffs, dry caves, and two wet caves with underground pools. Bring: 2 liters water, hiking shoes, gloves, flashlight, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Walking on rough rocks, climbing in caves, mosquitoes, and scratchy vegetation.

26 MAY Ritidian to Falcona Difficult 5 hours for 6 miles We hike the long sandy beach south from Ritidian Point to secluded Falcona Beach, ending at the remains for the old pirate ship. Fast hikers have the option of trying for Double Reef. Bring: 4 liters water, wet shoes, swim suit, sunglasses, sun screen, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Some walking in water, a long walk in sand, and no pets.

02 JUN Southwest Coast Difficult 6 hours for 7.5 miles We hike south from Agat to Umatac along the coast, passing by several scenic bays that are great for swimming and snorkeling. Bring: 3 liters water, wet shoes, swim suit, snorkel gear, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: A long hike in the sun over, sand, rocks, mud, and partly in the water.

09 JUN Tarzan Swim Hole Medium 4 hours for 2 miles We journey to a remote swimming hole to cool off. Bring: 3 liters water, hiking boots, gloves, swimsuit, sunglasses, sun screen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Possibly slippery slopes and mud.

16 JUN Southeast Coast Difficult 6 hours for 5 miles We hike along this remote Asiga coastline with a few stops to cool off in the water. Bring: 4 quarts water, hiking boots, water shoes, swim suit, gloves, insect repellent, sun screen, sunglasses, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Long stretches of walking in water, over rough rocks, no shade, and possible hazardous surf.

23 JUN Gun to Tanguisson Medium 4 hours for 1.8 miles We pass below the imposing cliffs of Two Lovers Point, visit latte, and explore the coastline with a cooling dip in the ocean. Snorkeling if waves are low. Bring; 2 liters water, hiking boots, swimsuit, water shoes, snorkeling gear, gloves, insect repellent, sun screen, sunglasses, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Some walking in water and over rough rocks.

30 JUN Option 1: Mt. Tenjo to Maguagua Medium 4 hours for 3.7 miles or Option 2: Mt. Tenjo to Tarzan Falls Difficult 5 hours for 5 miles We hike from Mt. Tenjo to one of two waterfalls. Along the way we will see some of the remnants of the defensive positions taken up by U.S. forces at the time of WWI and WWII. Bring: 3 to 4 liters of water, hiking boots, long pants, long sleeved shirt, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch, swimsuit, and camera. Special conditions: deep swordgrass, steep rocky slopes, possible climbing with a rope and long distances.