MY 2ND GUAM BOONIE STOMPING- 07/21/07 LIBERATION HIKE

The Guam Boonie Stomps are maintained by the Guam Boonie Stompers in cooperation with the Dept of Parks and Recreation and they hold various difficulty levels of hikes every Saturday starting at 9am.

I had my 2nd Guam Boonie Stomping on July 21, 2007 for the Liberation Hike. The 4 hour 2.5 mile hike was composed of short walks to historic sites from the 1944 Liberation of Guam. There was also a short climb at Mount Alifan to see the actual caves and foxholes dug by the Japanese during WWII.

Liberation of Guam - Liberation Day marks the day when, on July 21, 1944, U.S. forces landed on the island and began the campaign to regain control of the island from the Japanese Imperial Army. Japan held Guam for more than two years during WWII, soon after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 8, 1941.

Biba Guam! The island celebrated it's 63rd Liberation Day anniversary, with the annual parade beginning at 10am in Hagatna and festivities culminating with fireworks display at 9pm from the carnival grounds at the Paseo.






Instead of the usual meeting place at the recreation office of the Paseo Stadium, we all met 9am at The War in the Pacific National Historical Park Visitor Center in Piti along Marine Corps Drive just outside the main gate to Naval Station.



Our program for the day started with a viewing of a video documentary of the Liberation of Guam during WWII.

The group then proceeded to Apaca Point, one of the two landing points of the American liberation forces in 1944. The other point was at the Asan Beach.

Our guide was showing us one of the actual pillboxes built by the Japanese into the limestones along the beach to camouflage their defense positions as they tried to ward off the invading American forces.



Next we went to Gaan Point where we saw some of the remnants of the Japanese bunkers and guns used against the Americans.

Hara Kiri!!!!!!



Off we go to our next stop ... the fun part ... hiking and climbing ....



Final briefing before climbing Mt. Alifan ... beware of muddy and slippery slopes and the usual dreaded sword grass where I sourced all the cuts and bruises on my arms, legs and even face, during my first Boonie Stomp.



A hiking we will go ... a hiking we will go ....


A unique experience to climb into an actual foxhole used by the Japanese during WWII to hide from the heavy bombardment by the Americans, where they dropped more than 400 tons of bombs over a 12 day sortie before the beach and land invasion .... creepy feeling inside the crampy caves and foxholes.

Nice breath of fresh air after some time inside the caves. At my back is a picturesque view of Asan beach where the Americans landed. I am standing at the exact place where Japanese soldiers where shooting down at the Americans as they landed on the beach and advanced inland to defeat the Japanese to retake Guam.




More caves ....



and caves .....



Anybody has a light?



To our next destination ... to see the Piti guns!!

Piti guns?? Don't they mean CANNONS!!!



These were Japanese artilleries and battery guns used to shell the Americans landing at Asan beach.

HAPPY 63RD LIBERATION DAY GUAM!!!
BIBA LIBIRASION GUAHAN!!!
ESPIRITON LINIBRE!!!
63 ANOS NA SILIBRASION!!!

2007 SECOND ANNUAL GUAM SOAP BOX DERBY

The Second Annual Guam Soap Box Derby was held on June 23, 2007 at the 76 Circle K Drag Strip in Yigo. With more than 40 young drivers and 42 races scheduled, "Airmen of Andersen Air Force Base" team driver Jared Cornell prevailed through rain and shine from a final-four showdown to take the checkered flag. On the heels of the win, Cornell has earned a trip to the 2007 All American Soap Box Derby Championship at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio, on July 21, 2007. The 2007 Guam Soap Box Derby had a good turnout and was generously supported by Guam corporate businesses and Air Force airmen gave to this event that benefited the Big Brothers and Sisters Foundation of Guam through donations made by entrance fees to the race.

Soap box racing officially began in Dayton, Ohio, in 1934. After the demand for and popularity of the sport increased, the races were permanently moved in 1936 to Derby Downs where the annual national races take place in July of each year. Drivers are between the ages of 10 and 17 years old and are required to build their own soap box cars. The goal is for the youths to learn basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition and perseverance to continue a project once it has begun.





Today's the big day for Guam Soap Box Derby.



... ain't my kid ... the one by my side.



ARIS AND TRANSFOR-MERS OR WHAT!!!


WHO LET THE DOGS OUT !!!

Everyone ready to start the race?



Checking out the starting area.



Checking out the contestants.



Can't you read it's Restricted Area!!



Sorry for kids only!!

Race is about to begin.

On your marks!!

Get set!!!

Go!! Go!! Go!!

Congratula-tions to the Winners!!

See you in next year's race !!!

GUAM JUNGLE RIVER CRUISE

The Guam Jungle River Cruise begins in Inarajan where you board a boat going upstream the Talofofo River and into the Red or Ugum River. Participants are treated to a jungle tour via the river route where the tour guide describes the rich wildlife of plants and animals that can be found in the jungles and rivers of Guam. A brief story is also told about how the Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was able to survive for 28 years after WWII in Guam's jungles by trapping and feeding on animals, plants, fruits and fishes. The tour ends with a short hike thru a latte stone field into a local hut where the guide demonstrates how primitive Chamorros built fire from sticks and a local crafts demo on weaving of baskets, bags, fans and hats using coconut palm leaves. The whole tour takes one and a half hours for a local rate of $25.