The numbers

It has been quite fun sharing this adventure with all of you (I realize we don't even know many of you. . .) So, I thought I would just update you on a few things you might be wondering about.

** The four Laysan Albatross that we tagged a few weeks ago (remember, with the little back packs). Well, at last report from John Klavitter they had all left the island successfully. The furthest one was about 150 miles away! You go, birds! We have been promised regular updates even after we leave the island.

** 9 monk seal pups have been born since we've been here (Or just before we got here)

** Pam has won 4 poker games!! (one more to go)

** Louis has collected 1 note in a bottle and 3 glass balls. (Greg has found 1 glass ball)

** Pam released 3 Laysan ducks after rehabilitation

** We have swam with sharks AND dolphins.

(can you believe this!!!???)

** Greg has assisted with the banding of 2 baby monk seals, 4 albatross and several Laysan ducks.

** Pam found 5 Sea Biscuits and many small bottles.

** Louis has assisted with the banding of 4 birds.

** Greg had 2 stitches.

** Louis had one injury requiring a look-see from Doc.

** Louis has 'saved' no less than 23 birds and chicks

** Pam has read 6 books

** Pam finally beat Rikeem in racquetball!

What a great summer!

tour of the airport

Greg has been touring all of the old buildings with an inspector from FWS. The inspector, Peter (who, by the way, has the same birthday as G-Rox!) has to make a report to the agency, Needless to say, it has been an interesting experience for Greg. Greg particularly likes the old hangar building (not to be confused with the Sea Plane Hangar) and took Louis and I on a tour of it.




This is the old control tower. There are old radios, etc. There is a lot of asbestos, mold and other nasty stuff, that is why we have to wear the respirators.

A few of the rooms were used as places of worship. This one is a shrine that the Sri-Lankans worshipped at. I believe the story is . . . before the Thai employees, there were a large contingent of Sri Lankans.

This is the Catholic chapel. There are large piles of termite waste at the base of each of the pews! We were warned not to sit down!

A little altar.

This is a rug in one of the rooms.

A big empty room.

There were also several abandoned offices that looked like people got up and left expecting to come to work the next day and never did!

Clue night

Friday night was Clue night on Midway! Those who chose to dressed up like their favorite character from the game Clue. Greg, Suzanne, and I made signs that said; "Clueless", "I have no Clue" and "Give me a Clue." Aren't we clever? Lovely Leona made some yummy treats. There was drinks and snacks and then we watched the movie "Clue". I know, who knew there was a movie?Here we are "dressed up". You may not realize, it is not an easy task to 'dress up' while living on an island. These people got VERY creative.



Louis was Mr. Green. I don't know why he has the wheel chair, he just found it one day and decided it was part of his costume. No, he can not bring it home!

Zack is the knife and Rikeem is Colonel Mustard.
(By the way, Zack just graduated from HSU!)

Then, it was movie time. Louis laid in the sand to watch.

The theatre.

Greg enjoys the movie. Although, I think he very

clearly said he did not recommend it to anyone!

middle of the night plane.

One night last week, we had the Marines C130 come in to drop off some supplies. Remember, the 30 marines that were here? Well, in exchange for Midways help, they agreed to fly out some supplies. It had to be done in the middle of the night due to their schedule. So at 2:30 in the morning Greg got up (as well as many other island residents. It takes quite a crew on land to make this happen) and I went too - what else do I have to do at 2:30 in the morning? anyway, it was a beautiful morning. Stars were bright in the sky, comfortably warm and the Marines were very nice.

Unloading.

Greg and the crew.

And this is where I found Greg later the next day!!!
End of that story.


New story. . .
Greg and I went on a quick boat ride to pick up Suzanne the Monk Seal Gal.

she had been on Eastern all afternoon looking for Monk Seals (apparently that is what a Monk Seal Gal does).

Here's Greg and his favorite boat; the small safe boat.


And here's me riding around on my bike.

more buildings

Here's a few more old buildings . . .

Sea Plane Hangar from afar.


Sea Plane Hangar

I think this is a bomb proof building that was used as a radio control center.
The picture is taken from the airport building.

Marine Barracks.

Old building.

Old building.

This building was used to hang parachutes. Now, it is used for storage.


A monument.

And another monument.

one week to go (for some of us!)

Well, one week to go - for me at least. Looks like Greg will be staying another week. There are some Coast Guard staff and a Congressman coming out around the 5th and Matt asked Greg to stay and help with that. Of course, Greg was happy to oblige. I'm not sure he'll ever really be ready to go home. Thanks to Randy at his home office for helping make this whole adventure happen. I am coming home as scheduled. . . Louis hasn't decided. He loves it here and he misses home.

So, one more week of relaxing in the sunshine.

Turtle Beach

This is the fancy fire truck. Louis got to ride in it a few weeks ago.

It has some fancy equipment, like heat-seeking automatic aiming fire hoses.


This is one of Greg's favorite pieces of equipment.
Here, it is used to launch the large Safe Boat.



Louis found these Albatross foot prints in the cement!

More bird runs.

Turtle Beach.

I hope you enjoy seeing the birds run as much as i do?

We got caught in this downpour.

old buildings

Tom K, you asked to see some of the old buildings, well here we go. . .

There are approximately 400 buildings on this island. Many of them we are not allowed to go into. Greg and Peter have been going through all of the buildings looking at their condition.

This is the Empire Cafe. They say it is the Internet cafe. I'm waiting for my Barista to show up!! There are several computers in here with good Internet connections, as well as, a good ice machine.


The old Navy mess hall; abandoned.

the gymnasium and racquetball courts. These are in fairly good condition and get lots of use. There is some termite damage, but that doesn't seem to stop us. In the foreground is a Bocce ball court.

This is the sign for the Midway Mall. In the background is the bowling ball (and it's 155 bowling balls!) and the weight room. Both of these are in good condition and get a lot of use.

This is connected to the Midway Mall. It seems to be some offices and an old movie theatre, all of which is condemned.

Here is one of the BEQ's (Bachelor Enlisted Quarters). Greg went inside recently and said it looked as if people left for work and never came back. There are a lot of things in the rooms. Now it is condemned; asbestos and lead.

Another BEQ.

These buildings all seem to be in fairly decent shape. There are a number of buildings that are really falling apart like the old Cable buildings (see previous post). The weather and salt air really do a number on the buildings. So many of them are historical sights, it's unclear what will become of them. All of the officers houses, which I have shown you in previous posts, are in good condition and scheduled for complete make-overs. They will be painted and fitted with new windows. Most of those houses are lived in. The Charlie barracks that we live in are in really good condition. It had recently been redone and is the hotel for visitors. The adjacent barracks, Bravo, is where many of the residents live. It is not in great shape, but is scheduled for make-over as well.

All for now.

eating island style

The food here on island is pretty good. There are always several dishes to choose from. It is all served cafeteria style. There is always a Thai dish to choose if you wish. When there is curry, it is excellent!!!

Here, Louis signs in. We are supposed to sign in for every meal, this is how we are charged our meals.

It was really quiet this morning at the Clipper House. I don't know where everyone is.

EVERY morning Louis makes waffles. He has never varied from this!

Lots of breakfast available. When the Marines were here, this place was busy!

Here is a typical lunch plate. Cornbread, chicken, rice and corn. The one thing I really miss is fresh fruit. We get bananas usually the morning after the plane comes in. There are sometimes apples, but they're not so good.

Greg never complains about the food!


This is Pong the head chef. He is very funny and sweet. He would make you a special request if you ask - not that we ever would, of course. Every time we see him, he says; "Hi Louie, how you doin'? Are you happy? good!"