Happy 2012!!

Truman thinks a beach visit is a great way to start the year!!

2011's last outing

We decided to spend a bit of time on this cloudy New Year's Eve day exploring nearby Uken Beach.

This is the center of three protected swimming beaches.

It must be a great place for fishing!

A look back at the beach from the jetty.




This was posted at the far end of the beach, outside of the protected swimming areas. Even if there was no English on the sign, I think I'd be too concerned to enter the water!! Not sure if it's jellyfish or some really dangerous octopus!

This is the farthest part of the beach (non-swimming). It was great for sea-glassing, though!

This is a close-up of the dark "cave" area in the picture above. Someone has set up a small shrine which is common in cave-ish areas like this. I think it's kind of like a marker people put up on the side of a road to mark where a loved one died.

To the right of the memorial was another cave with an even further cave dug out! Next time we'll have to take a flashlight with us to get a peek in a bit further (just to PEEK, not to ENTER!)

I found this fascinating....a sand 'shelf' covered with coral.

Burial monuments
These ancestors have a great ocean view!!

Yep, you can buy beer and ice cream at the snack shop... in season, of course :)

A few of the sidewalk art decorations...

Yanbaru Kuina
is an endangered bird that lives on the north part of the island.

Thatch Screw Pine Tree
which grows in areas close to the water over much of the island.

Bullfights
are held in the area. They're not like Spanish bull fights, here they hook the horns of the two bulls and whichever goes to its knee first loses... kinda like bulls playing "uncle" :) 

Chaplains can BOOGIE!!

Our CO has "moves like Jagger"!!

Get your groove on, Rodney!!

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.... ;o)

"Shuffelin', shuffelin'"

Dancing Beauties

No idea what I'm laughing about this time!!

A dance with MY Chaplain :)

It was a GREAT evening!!!

The Best for Last....

During the Okinawa Ball Season, the best always gets saved for last---the Chaplain Corps Ball!!!

On our way to the ball, we had to watch out for the umbrellas!! ;o)

Upon arrival, it was time for a few group shots....

Wing Chaplains and Spouses with General & Mrs. Bydler (center, black dress)

Okinawa Chaplain Spouses

Rodney and his Religious Programmer (RP)--basically Chaplain Assistant

Tables in memory of those Killed In Action and those Missing In Action

The Band
Don't be fooled by their size, they were EXCELLENT!!

My table spot

The program began with the color guard...

...then came the cake ceremony. The guest of honor is given the first bite, while the oldest and youngest Chaplains present look on and await theirs.

Our dinner partners, RP and his sweet wife, Cristina...

...and our friends, Brian, a fellow Chaplain and his beautiful bride, Diane.

Then we had a little fun with my camera.... ;o)



After dinner and the guest speaker, it was time to hit the dance floor and BOY can those Chaplains BOOGIE!!!
Just wait and see...... ;o)