On August 12, my son David, daughter-in-law Lindsay and their two girls, Eva and Leven, departed LAX for a trip of a lifetime to American Samoa in the South Pacific. 2 1/2 hours later we returned to LAX due to some problems on the aircraft. Hard to hide my disappointment. The airline put us up in a luxury hotel and fed us, while David and Lindsay proceeded to rebook every one of our reservations. Amazing how talented, smart and patient my kids are! I went into meltdown mode, but was ready for dinner when Lindsay took this picture!
The next morning we repeated the same scenario and arrived in American Samoa about 9:30 pm that night. I never did get the time change thing, and just went with whatever time the kids said it was. The next morning we took a $140.00 taxi ride to the National Park of American Samoa and I reached my goal of visiting all 61 of Americas National Parks! Three cheers for our National Parks and three cheers to David and Lindsay for getting me there!
Here we all are getting our picture taken by our cab driver! It was surreal being there. I had dreamed about it for so long and now it was a reality!
Eva and Leven on our first hike in the National Park of American Samoa. The girls were such agile hikers, swimmers, snorkelers and tree climbers! I figured if 4-year old Leven could do it, I could do it. So down I went, following the cliff trail down to the beach.
We saw tons of crabs, skinks and lizards on the way down. I found this colored leaf by itself, and thought is was so pretty. I like leaves as they usually stand still while I am taking the picture. The lizards and skinks are gone before I even get my camera out.
I decided to not go all the way down, as I was still dizzy from jet lag, so I sat on a rock and watched the kids having fun.
Yes, even Leven made it to the bottom! Such blue water, and such magnificent clouds.
My family in front of the Pola Island landscape. Pola Island is off the north shore of Tutuila Island in American Samoa. It is a protected seabird nesting area as well as an important cultural site.
After two days staying in Pago Pago on Tutuilla Island, we boarded a smaller plane to the the Manu'a Islands. We stayed on Ofu Island, but also hiked on Olosega Island. It was raining as we dashed to the plane, and raining when we arrived. I was simply glad to get there!
This isolated beach was our home for 5 wonderful days. So quiet, so peaceful, so amazing.
We stayed at the Vaota Lodge on the beach, and our hosts Ben and Deb were warm, friendly, great cooks, and easy to get along with. The Russian man on the left is Dimitri, the only other traveler who joined us on Vaota Island with the exception of some local nurses who came to help at the clinic. We miss you Dimitri!
David and Lindsay in their favorite spot, overlooking the ocean. David would often take his coffee down to the beach, sit in the shade of the hut and just chill. Lindsay would often be putting sunscreen on the girls, packing the bags for the days activities, and filling up all the water bottles! It was nice when they could both relax together.
Early morning sunrise on Ofu Beach.
Me and David in the early morning light.
Splashed by the waves, and yes I got soaked.
David reminding me of Tom Hanks.
Lindsay and Eva out snorkeling the reef.
I can't even believe I was there in American Samoa, seeing all this underwater beauty.
Me going down to the water for a swim.
Underwater looking up.
Eva holding her treasure with Lindsay in the background.
My wonderful kids, Lindsay and David, who made this whole trip happen!
Leven with her treasure.
David and the crab!
David jumping off the bridge like a madman!
On our walk from the bridge, David carried both Eva and Leven when they got tired!
David, Lindsay, Eva and Leven in the National Park of American Samoa!
Eva and Leven climbing the tree. Eva was amazing and could climb just about anything she put her mind to. Leven needed a little help, but still did her best.
David and Lindsay and the girls in the hut. The Samoan lady on the left is Tele, a nurse practitioner who came out to work with the women on Ofu Island.
Peering through the clouds towards the National Park beach. Even though American Samoa is a US territory, we cannot buy the land there as it has to be handed down to family members or given back to the Samoans. In 1993, the NPS negotiated a 50 year lease of National Park land that encompasses 13,500 acres on three islands, Tutuila, Tau and Ofu. The park protects tropical rainforest and Into-Pacific coral reefs. Huge fruit bats and a variety of birds can be seen flying in and out of the trees at dusk, and brightly colored tropical fish swarm the coral reefs.
One day while on Ofu, we took this crazy long hike to Oge Beach. This is the view as we were driving down to the trail head with Deb.
At first we walked along the cliff and looked down at the rugged coastline.
These crazy mean looking crabs were all along the trail, and looked like they were willing to fight anything or anyone. We did not touch the crabs.....
As soon as we got down to the beach, Eva and Lindsay took off treasure hunting, I went for the water and David was helping Leven. I squatted on the shore, and just wanted to get wet and wash all the sweat off. The beach was nothing but sharp rocks and coral, which made it difficult get in the water. Suddenly a wave grabbed hold of me, turned me in a backwards somersault, and left me face down in the rocky sand. The rip was so strong, it almost pulled me out, and even though I was on the shore it grabbed hold of me and it was all I could do to claw into the rocks and hold on.
David put Leven down and left her crying on the rocks, while he ran down to try to lift me up. What a mess. My back and arms were all cut up and I could barely believe I didn't get sucked out to sea. Unfortunately that same day, Two teenage boys on the island of Tutuila, were out swimming with friends and were sucked out to sea by a powerful rip current. As of this writing they have not been found. It broke my heart to hear that terrible news. I experienced a brief touch of the power of that rip current, and feel so badly for the families of those two boys.
On another day, Deb dropped us off at the bridge between the two islands of Ofu and Olosega. Our plan was to snorkel under the bridge and walk back through the National Park beach. The current under the bridge was to strong for me so I swam to shore. Both Eva and David swam across the channel and back again, before joining us on our walk back.
The National Park beach is magnificent. Clean, pristine water, and beautiful sand beaches. That would be me, walking in the water, enjoying the scenery.
Eva and Leven are not afraid to touch any creature, and here they are holding up sea cucumbers, horrible slug like creatures that personally I would never touch. We snorkeled up and down the shore, exploring nooks and crannies, and finding the most unusual fish.
On our last night in Ofu, the kids gave me this beautiful gold necklace I am wearing, to commemorate my completion of visiting all 61 of our National Parks. A proud moment for me! Thank you David and Lindsay!
After nearly a week on Ofu, we flew back to Pago Pago, and stayed two more nights. Our lodge looked out over this beautiful bay, and outstanding rainbow!
This Samoan Park Ranger in Pago Pago told us all the interesting stories and facts about the National Park. The girls earned their Junior Ranger badges, and as they were receiving their badges, I couldn't help but think of David as a young boy, getting his own Junior Ranger badge in Kings Canyon National Park in California.
As we were walking to the town near our hotel, I spotted this Wyland Whaling Wall, painted in 2008!
Here we are at Samu's, a tiny little homemade ice cream store that is located within a gas station. Best ice cream we ever ate!
On our last day we rented a car and drove up to the World War ll Memorial site. A steep walk up this lava filled trail passed by this gorgeous pink flower before reaching the top.
The view at the top was outstanding!
David and the girls walked up and down the old cannon. I must admit I couldn't watch. I took the picture then turned away. I couldn't watch David jumping from the bridge. I couldn't watch Eva in the trees or Leven climbing in the rocks. Thats why I'm glad I'm the grandma, and not the mom. Too hard for me.
At the airport with our Russian friend, Dimitri. A long way from home.
At last we made it to the airport, checked our luggage and lo and behold Eva lost her tooth! During the whole trip she would show us the tooth, and how it wiggled back and forth. Every meal we thought it would come out. Now it is out, she is happy and we are all safely home.
Thank you Lord for a wonderful trip!