The first week of October we decided to try Space A again and take a trip back to Okinawa. We made it on the flight out of Yokota and arrived on Kadena Air Force Base where we would stay for 2 nights before heading to Okuma Beach Resort for 5 nights. We decided to stay on base so we could venture out to see some things closer to base that we did not explore on our last trip. Our first stop was Shuri Castle. The castle sits on beautiful grounds and they had a stamp scavenger hunt to keep the boys entertained.
Entering the castle
Stamp scavenger hunt
Inside the castle
Beautiful grounds
Later that day we went to Maeda Flats which is known for its good snorkeling. Eric and Hayden went out to snorkel for a bit while Linc and I played on the beach. Lincoln then swam out to daddy to explore the cave in the distance. Eric decided to go out for a snorkel on his own....he took so long Hayden asked "what if daddy died"? I was actually starting to worry myself but about an hour later he returned and we all breathed a sigh of relief. We now refer to it as that time daddy almost died. The boys were seriously stressed!
Hayden has become a great snorkeler
The next day we stocked up on groceries at the commissary before driving to Okuma Beach Resort. We stayed in the same cabins on the beach as our last trip. This military resort has a restaurant, putt putt, go carts, and two different beaches to enjoy. The sunsets were beautiful every night and we had great weather the whole week. The water temperature was also warmer so we were able to swim without wet suits this time. We spent a lot of time at the beach but also ventured out for a couple hikes during our stay.
Our cabin on the beach
Mommy floating away
About a 5 minute drive from Okuma, Hiji Falls is a nice little hike to some waterfalls. We took a detour that led us on a crazy jungle drive but we eventually found the correct route which was less treacherous. Eric said he planned it as part of the experience but we almost got our car stuck in the middle of nowhere. When a Japanese worker drove by in a mini work truck and shook his head at us, we knew it was time to turn around. Once on the trail, we enjoyed the hike and the views.
We had many beautiful sunsets on the beach while we were on Okuma. Eric was usually grilling up dinner or we were walking the beach. The boys roasted marshmallows for smores by the fire most nights. A woman staying next to us even sent us a photo she snapped of Eric and I walking on the beach one night.
View from the cabin porch
Grill master
Smore master
A & E close up
And far away
Our last day before flying out we drove to another hike and waterfall called Tadake Falls. It was a shorter trek through ankle deep water with a large waterfall at the end. The boys had fun on the rope swing and enjoyed letting the water fall down on them at the base of the falls.
Eric testing out the rope swing
Hayden mastered it quickly
Our last stop before heading back to Kadena for the night was another snorkel spot called Mermaid's Grotto. The big boys went out for a short snorkel but Eric had to help Hayden as the current was a little rougher. We had fun exploring the grotto and seeing all the little blue fish. It was a beautiful spot and a great way to end the trip.
Hayden's first day back to school was on August 28th. Lincoln went back to school from a break, although not the start of a new school year, on September 1st. Eventually we won't be on the Japan school schedule so I like to document his time after the summer. Hayden started in the 3rd grade at Mendel Elementary and his teacher is Mr. Robinson. He is excited for another year at Mendel and loves the fact that he can walk to and from school on his own. Lincoln was also excited to go back to school and has gotten pretty comfortable with his Japanese school experience. It has been just over a year since he started at Fuji Youchien and the teachers tell us he is even starting to speak a little Japanese! We are very proud of both of our boys and are grateful they like school and look forward to going. Here are some pics from their first days.....
First Day of 3rd Grade!
He looks too big in this photo
Daddy ran home for a quick see off...the benefit of the hospital being a 1/4 mile away.
Brother love
First day school assembly
Found his teacher!
Sort of first day of 4's class!
Cheese!
Showing off his new shoes on the walk to the bus stop
At the end of August Eric, Hayden and I planned a trip to climb Mt. Fuji. Because of weather conditions you can only attempt to make the climb July thru early September. We knew this might be our only shot to do it so Eric took off a weekday, we got a sitter for Linc, and we headed out at 3:00am in the morning to start our day. The weather predictions seemed to be changing day by day but we thought we had a good shot at a clear morning with chance of afternoon rain. Hayden was super pumped, mommy was a little nervous, and daddy was cool as a cucumber as usual. We really had no idea what to expect! The climb started out cool but nice. We had a little bit of a view in the clouds for about the first hour. Then it started to rain. Just a sprinkle here and there to start, but it progressively got harder and more uncomfortable. The higher you get, the colder it gets so the rain only made us feel that much colder. The climb was tough in spots, but the weather conditions were really what made the day a real challenge. Hayden was cold and tired about 4 hours into the hike and pretty much stayed in tears the last two hours to the top. I had to keep moving to keep warm so I would go a little ahead while Eric stayed back with Hayden encouraging him to keep moving. It was hard to watch and hear, but so many people passed us and offered him an encouraging word. At the top it started to get a little more crowded so moving was slow until the finish. I waited for Eric and Hayden at the last Tori Gate at the top and watched Hayden make his final steps to the summit. The pics really say it all! At the top it was so cloudy and rainy we did not get any good views, and my hands were so numb I could hardly hold my phone to take a picture. We sat in a large tent with many other climbers and waited for a hot bowl of Ramen. It was the best Ramen of our lives and warmed us up a little. Since it took us a little longer than planned to reach the top we wanted to get moving to hike back down so we wouldn't be too late getting home. Hayden was a champ on the way down despite the continuous rain. The trek down was harder on me and Eric since it's pretty steep and hard on the joints. My knees were in pain but we just had to keep moving. We all took a few falls down the mountain which we tried to laugh off. We made it back down the mountain in about 4 hours so overall we conquered Mt. Fuji in 10 hours. If you ask Hayden if he will do it again, he will adamantly say no way. We were super proud of him for sticking it out, and he is happy to have the bragging rights. We all carried Fuji sticks which got stamped along the way up so that is also a great memento we will always have and display proudly. In the moment I thought why am I doing this and I will never do this again, but the next day I was already trying to plan another trip with Eric on a nicer day after seeing so many friends get an awesome view at the top. Who knows...maybe next July before the move. Most of the pictures I did take were in the first two hours before conditions went downhill. Eric took some GoPro footage also that I combined into one video.
Starting at 5th Station
Let's do this!
Let's go!
Nice views at the beginning
A & E on Mount Fuji
Still smiling
Hayden liked the rock climbing portions
Fast forward 5 hours and I am at the top....I can hear Hayden crying down the mountain.
