Camping weekend

Berto works with a Puerto Rican guy, Geno (Navy) and they have become good friends. Geno and Berto were anxious to have the wives meet. LOL. Marjorie is Filipino and they have a 6 yr old son named Miguel. So, we have hung out a few times already, and we get along great! There is another couple, Bert (Air Force) and Donna also both Filipino with their 5 yr old Aaliyah. And another guy, also Albert or Bert. They call him B-2, since he is Bert too. Then they heard me call Gilberto, Berto-so it's a big joke now and they nicknamed him B-3. This is the group we went camping with. (The guys also all go golfing together and are excited for a tournament this Friday)

We were able to rent our equipment on base from the "Weasel's Den" lol. We got sleeping bags, tent, a table, cooler. We also bought an air mattress, firewood, flashlights, bug spray! The area where we camped at was about a 3 hour drive. We caravaned it the whole way. Once there, we set up the tents (well, the guys did) near the facilites. They had a bathroom and these huge sinks with running water. There was also showers, but they were locked up. Ok, the bathrooms.....Were very clean when we first arrived. But they are non-flushing "squatty potty's". I have posted a pic of this before. Its just like a hole in the ground. You have to squat or hold yourself up over them while trying not to drop your tp down the hole. Not too fun. By the last day the bathrooms had the strong ammonia smell.

When we first got there, there was only one other tent. By the time we left, there was about 4 more tents of people. From the tents to the beach was very close. It was just soo beautiful there. There was also a small lake on other side. This was for the kids to go in to. The ocean waves were just way too strong. Even for the guys!! And man oh man, the water was freezing cold! The guys had fun getting tossed around by the waves.

We brought lots of food (us girls went grocery shopping together the day before after going to lunch at a Indian Restaurant-buffet style....very good) We had marinated steaks, spare ribs, brats, hot dogs. Corn on the cob, rice, we made yakisoba. (Yakisoba has been my favorite food in Japan so far. Its a mix of soba noodles, meat-pork or chicken usually, cabbage, carrot, bean sprouts. The vegetables vary. Usually with a garnish of pickled ginger) We had eggs, bacon, or pancakes for breakfast. We grilled on 2 small grills and had a great box for the camp fire. And of course there was marshmallows and s'mores!!

I just adore Miguel and Aaliyah. They fight sometimes just like brother and sister. They are both really cute and well behaved. Except for Miguel when it comes to eating his food! He gets distracted easily and has to keep getting a "talking to" from mom and dad. Miguel is very affectionate and is quick to hold my hand, give me a hug or sit on my lap. Geno kept telling Berto that he was obsessed with me!

We went driving around one day in search of a better beach. We drove around for a good hour, and nothing looked better than where we were at. The short video is when we were lost. We went down the narrowest road I've ever seen!! It just kept winding and getting smaller! It wasn't until we were done that I pulled out the camera for video! I was disappointed in myself for that one and wanted to go back through so I could video it.

We stopped at a national park with a breathtaking view. It had 3 observation spots, with 380 steps to go down!! It was beautiful though, and had some small stores and restaurants. We also went to a Onsen or "hot bath". That was quite an experience. It was part of a hotel. You paid to shower and to soak in a 130 degree bath. Modesty is out the window because you shower in front of others and walk around naked. (I got over myself real quick, "When in Rome") There was also a smaller pool that was cold water, you are supposed to go back and forth. Since we were up in the mountains, the view was unreal!! I mean, I was shocked!! All you see is the ocean below and a lighthouse. I found a link that explains it very well with pics. The one we went to was very similar.

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/onsen_japan.htm

On the way back we went to a cave!! I was thinking it would be alot more rustic and the thought of hiking a cave didn't interest me much. But it was alot better than I thought! I have a brochure but it is mostly in Japanese. It says: Ryusendo-The Japan's three biggest stalactite cave. A country appointment natural monument. A dragon's blue beyond imagination. So, it was very cool or cold in the cave. Some spots were very narrow or you had to duck down in several spots. You had to climb up and down stairs throughout. One long set of stairs was very steep and scary!! The 3 lakes were deep and clear blue water was gorgeous. The 4th lake is the deepest but not open to public. I guess the cave is estimated to be over 5,000 meters but only 700 meters is open to the public. Such a great experience!!!

http://www.mizuhiroba.jp/en/meisui/ryusendo.html