8.31.2010

If You Have A Small Boat In The Water

I received this notification this afternoon:

KWAJALEIN FORECAST DISCUSSION

Amidst a low-level trough near the Ratak Chain, a closed circulation has developed at the surface this afternoon. Current satellite and radar imagery show a large complex of cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms primarily south of the circulation, with other scattered activity having already developed in and around Kwajalein Atoll. This system is expected to move to the west-northwest through the evening and overnight hours, bringing a wide swath of precipitation, occasionally heavy, and a few embedded thunderstorms to the area. Winds around cyclonic circulations move counterclockwise, so a track to the north of the atoll means winds are expected to become northwesterly and even westerly tonight into early tomorrow. This will be especially the case over the northern atoll, which will be closer to the center of circulation. A West Wind Warning is likely for Roi-Namur, possible for Kwajalein Island, perhaps as early as 2200 tonight, with the threat of west winds lingering through tomorrow morning. The system track and winds in the atoll will be monitored closely. The chances for precipitation over Kwajalein Atoll are 30% today, increasing to 80% this evening through tonight. Combined seas in the open ocean will be 3-4 ft.

I stopped and asked one of my friends what this meant; what was I supposed to do? He said pray.

The problem is the wind normally comes out of the NE, now it will be coming from the west which means the boats will swing a full 180 and if there are any weak spots in your mooring, you may lose your boat! Yikes! I just have to hope for the best.

8.22.2010

Lebowski Fest on Roi Namur

This is our big event for the weekend:
Come as your favorite character or just bring a float and relax in the pool. There will be marmot flinging, the sheriff of Malibu coffee cup toss, the ringer toss, and the Valkyrie ring toss. A special performance by "Shelley and the Restraining Orders" will happen at 8 p.m. To be followed immediately by a pool side showing of "The Big Lebowski"

Marmot flinging? I haven't seen the movie but I have to get in on that!

8.21.2010

Kwaj 4th Of July

Here it is over a month later and I'm finally posting pictures from The 4th of July. The slow internet around here makes posting pictures quite the daunting task. Every photo has to be edited so it is small enough to process over the dial-up. To think, a year and a half ago I was teasing people who were still on dial-up....that's what I get!

I must admit, Kwaj puts on a pretty good fireworks show. Here are a few of my better shots. Pretty good considering I have a pretty mediocre camera and I don't have a tripod. I love that the one on the bottom right looks like a palm tree.




8.18.2010

Pretty As A Picture

It was absolutely gorgeous today! I took these on my way to work.....
Not that it's not nice all the time but some days stand out more than others and this was one of them.


8.12.2010

Waiting For A Ride

Here are the Huey's loaded onto rail-cars and waiting for the next barge off of Kwaj.
This was the first (and only so far) helicopter I've gotten to ride in.
These are the same helicopters my Dad flew in in Vietnam. They've been around longer than I have; its kind of sad to see them go. The new ones are orange and kind of ugly but I wouldn't pass up a ride in them if I were given the opportunity!

8.09.2010

The Cherokee

Ever since I arrived in February 2009 I've been passing through the boat yards on my way to work and watching the restoration of The Cherokee from a distance and hearing updates in passing about the progress they were making.

When I was researching Kwajalien, I ran across a blog that told about the adventures of three guys and their 74 foot trimaran and the fact that it was for sale. It was interesting reading and fun to see it for myself once I got here, not to mention meeting the captains in person. The other day I stopped to take a picture of the freshly painted hull and it's a good thing I did because the very next day it was back in the water and they are ready for their next adventure!

The Cherokee is actually for sale, once they get back from their trip to Fiji that is.

Happy Sailing!

8.03.2010

Mystery Fruit

Can anyone tell me what the heck this is? Post a comment if you know. Thank you!