Guam Cozy Mountain Lodge

This was the smallest Guam ladies retreat as so many of the ladies couldn't get off work this year.  One group was leaving on vacation next week so had to work...another had just returned from a funeral the day before so she was forced to go back to work.  But we had a FANTASTIC time of growth, sharing, food, fun, and fellowship with those who were there.  Here's a few of the highlights...

(And I completely forgot to get a group picture! Urgh.)

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Bird Island Beach

One of the famous lookouts in Saipan is at Bird Island.  It is a bird sanctuary. (The Marianas actually has several wonderful bird sanctuaries.  Scientists frequently come to the island to study the birds and even move some birds to the surrounding deserted islands to protect the various species.) Sadly, I didn't make it out to the lookout to have any pictures from up high to post.  (But I have a million pics at home from the lookout for my viewing pleasure.)

[On a side not, I recall my first Bird Island lookout view in 2003.  I had to take a picture with some Japanese girls because they were intrigued by my blue eyes. ha ha.]

On this particular day, four of us (including Perry) did the hike down to Bird Island.  It's a fantastic beach where you can hear the waves crashing....watch the birds soaring....and enjoy the solitude as most of the tourists don't know the hidden trail down to the beach. 

The trail down the side of the cliff is narrow but the slope is gentle.  (In cases where it gets very steep, then there are ropes to help guide you.)

Though I didn't get a picture of  Bird Island from the official lookout, here's one through the trees as I hiked down the cliff.

Below, Perry is more than ready to escape his hiking papoose for the beach.

It is not advised to actually go out to bird island as the currents are very strong through here.

Perry knows his time on Saipan has come to end as he longingly gazes out at the ocean.

Old Man By the Sea

The last time I hiked to Old Man by the Sea was 2012.  This is the first view of the ocean as you break out of the jungle.  (If you are in to the miracle cure of Noni, the jungle hike was full of wild noni growing everywhere.)

If you look closely at the rock formation, it looks like an "old man" hence the name. (Perry and I have a similar picture from 2012.)

I love sitting around watching the water splash on the rocks. 

Perry wanted a picture of him with the waves crashing behind him.  

 But to get this picture, he had to hike up these very, VERY sharp rocks.

My camera was doing a terrible job of capturing the amazing colors of the ocean.

But after a beautiful and relaxing day at the beach, we had to climb back up the ropes to get us out of the jungle. 

We celebrated that night with smoothies. I figure we had burned enough calories. :)

Tie-Dye!

Day two of the Saipan Catch the Wave youth retreat was a blast!  We always try to have at least one "fun" activity a day (not counting games).  And what's more fun than TIE-DYE!!!

 After we picked our shirt design, we had to put on our rubber-bands according to the design we wanted.

Time to put on our trash bags so we won't get dye on our clothes.  (Man, those things do not breathe! Ugh we were hot!)

 COLOR!!!

They picked out their shirts off a Christmas tree. (Different, I know) 

Catch the Waive, Saipan 2019

Another Beach Sunset

Sunsets on the beach is Perry's new thing.  But tonight's was more than a sunset....it was a cookout with the teens as the kick off to the Catch the Wave Youth Retreat! 

Perry contemplates his options for supper: hot dog or bratwurst on a stick? 

My stick can be used as a weapon!
(We told the kids we were going spear fishing for supper.)

S'mores are better in the dark.

One Really Awesome Sunset!

I had to give Perry a make-up activity since he wasn't allowed to go to the ladies retreat.  So, pizza on the beach to watch the sunset it was.  We knew since it had been cloudy and bit rainy, that there wasn't much of a chance of seeing the sun actually set, but I was holding out for some really great colors.

Perry started by the picnic table but wanted to be closer to the water.

Perry checking out the sunset waiting for the great colors.

Perry knows this doesn't even look real, but he assures you this is a "no-filter" pic and he is not photo-shopped in!

And we know that we look like we were added later, but are really standing on the beach for this great sunset!

Cozy Mountain Lodge, Take 3

Even though we might be studying the same scriptures at each women's retreat, the retreats are always so different (and so good!). This year's Bible focus is the story of Ruth and Naomi.  I guess God really has something for me in this passage because by July 1st, I will have read through the book for Ruth at least 6 full times...plus the extra readings here and there studying for the retreat. 

Here's pictures of the "fun" stuff...

Session 1: We built lodges/cabins.  (We all had different building materials for this...and some were better than others. Just like in life.  Some of us have been given better building materials that others.  Some of us grew up in loving homes, others did not. Some of us had quality education, others did not. Some of us have had meaningful jobs, marriages, experiences, and others have not.  But in this activity, we had all the same foundation...a table.  We can all have the same foundation in God.)

Session 2: We played games.  And then I made them switch games half way in to another group's games. And then I made them switch back and play their original spot.  People didn't really like me very much! :)

Session 4: We made Bean and Barley (Rice) soup mix to give away to others. Since we were studying Ruth, it was suppose to be barley. But we couldn't find barely on Saipan. So, I said if Ruth had been in Saipan it would have been rice instead of barley. ha ha

Session 6: We had various prayer stations.  The favorite room was when they got to have hot chocolate. But since we didn't need the "hot"....we had frozen "hot" chocolate. Yummy!

 We forgot to take a group picture until a couple ladies had already left.  But from the smiles on these gals' faces, you know it was a great day!

Jade Lady

Tonight is my last day of my "vacation." After seeing pics from a friend's sunset cruise in Hawaii recently, I suggested to my Saipan people we should go on the Jade Lady (dinner cruise in Saipan harbor).  The last time three of us had gone was seven years ago, so it was time! 

The land you see far away is Saipan....the island up close is Managaha. 
You can read a blog from last year about Managaha.

Fish two nights in a row!  This mahi mahi was very tasty. 

Laura, Laura, & Helen Ann. (Perry's the photographer, of course.)

We had lots of beautiful blue fish swimming around tonight!
Perry wanted to swim with the fish.  I mean, he might be a platypus, but I'm not sure about his swimming skills.

Since Independence Day is coming soon, I thought this was a nice pic. 

We are still missing one of our crew...and Perry. 

Another island sunset with the tip of Smiling Cove (on the left)
and Managaha (way in the back on the right)

And in case you were wondering, yes we danced to Achy Breaky Heart on the boat. And yes, that song is stuck in my head. And yes, that song will be stuck on my head until about October when we start Christmas music.  Jerry (the phenomenal musician/entertainer for the boat, has been out here performing for almost 30 years, I think), always ends the show with dancing to Achy Breaky Heart and YMCA. I completely forgot or I would have mentally prepared.  The YMCA dance is the same one they use at Hard Rock here in Saipan (which he also performs) and was always a favorite of my teacher friends and me.  So I half won.