Here's a reality shot of me in my usual around-the-house attire. You can't see the mud and grime from the jungle hike earlier in the day. The dark smudge on the wall (left side of picture about hip height) is mold that is growing on the oils left by my hand when leaning down to plug/unplug my laptop. I'm going to have to find something will take that off without removing the paint.
16 September 2002
A Walk In the Jungle
Here is a shot trying to capture how steep most of the "trails" are here in American Samoa. Trails typically follow ridges and this can mean hanging onto roots and branches for dear life. This trail was actually a pretty good one. We are dropping down out of the jungle into a plantation. The foreground upper leaves are breadfruit. Taro, left side of me, just above Veronica's head. A couple of coconut trunks are visible also. Malcolm in the rear, Veronica in the middle and Eric in the foreground. Picture shot by Billy Crowson.
23 September 2002
A Walk In the Jungle, Continued
This is another shot of our 07 September hike. This trail follows a pipeline from Mt. Matafao to Fagatogo (on Pago Pago Harbor). Here the pipeline traverses a cliff and sometimes waterfall. For much of the trail, the pipeline is covered with concrete, thus prompting the name among some circles as "The Sidewalk Trail". The pipeline pretty much follows a line of equal elevation. There are a few trestles one must cross. One of the nice features of this hike is a nice refreshing dip in the reservoir. One trail option is to drop down and follow the river (Matafao Stream) from the reservoir down to Faagalu (where the hospital is). However, one must be prepared to take "drop down" quite literally in numerous locations. Curtis is in the rear, Eric in the blue shorts and Veronica is in the lead.
Reaching back into the ago....This is the Catholic Church in Leone as it appeared for Christmas 2001. Christmas lights are big here in American Samoa.
30 September 2002
28 September Hike to Steps Point. Steps Point is the Southern most point of the island. It is also rumored to be the Southern most point of all the U.S., it's territories and possessions. (I need to verify this.) I'm not sure what the vine is. It is not mile-a-minute nor Clidemia. Might be the endemic pea like vine or maybe Kudzu. Vine covered patches are not unusual here. Curtis is in the rear, Eric in front of him and Paulene is disappearing under the canopy.
