Hanging out at Aha Falls

The ridge we had to walk down to get to Aha Falls.

In the Jungle.

This is Aha Falls about 2.5 hrs north of where I am in Okinawa. From what I hear, there are many places like this in Okinawa. Just North of here is Hedo point where thousands of Japanese armed forces members threw themselves off a cliff to commit suicide to avoid being captured during World War II.

I got this picture taken to show how big/beautiful this place is

Just Hanging Out

Really just hanging out. This rope swing was the pretty fun.

This is how we roll in the desert. I am on the right. Dust was a flyin.

Early morning Convoy.

Tanks from the Infantry Battalion.

Warrant Officer Shephard and Me before a convoy brief.

Here I am deep in thought inspecting my eyelids for holes.

This is a picture my buddy in Iraq sent me of a sandstorm his convoy drove through.

The building with the red flag in front of it is the building I have been working out of for the past three weeks, only 2 to go!

I took this picture to show how in the missle of no where we are. Other than the buildings you see in the background, there is nothing but desert between me and the mountain.

Some trucks getting ready to leave.

Here is a picture of the truck that came with the country band "Big and Rich," of course, we were training and didn't get to go.

Well, to say I have been busy here would be an understatement. Of course, there have been lulls in the action. I have been doing alot of running around trying to figure out different things for my company. It's amazing how different this unit is from my unit in Iwakuni. Back there, we had about 80 Marines. Here, we have in excess of 700 Mairnes. Coordination and trying to get everyone where they need to be is the biggest obastacle. I think the Marines are having a good time and getting alot out of the training.

It has been hot here if I have not conveyed that yet. It is 95-100 here daily. I have been drinking alot of water and working out everyday. I feel like I can't drink enough water. I have a cell phone that doesn't work because we are out here in the middle of nowhere. I also have taken some videos but haven't figured out how to post them on here yet. They have a nice Warrior Club here that has A/C and food to order (burgers, sandwiches, and what not). They have a small Exchange here, at which I bought a PSP. I have been watching movies and playing games in my free time, though limited.

My buddy Steve Adair, a Helo Pilot, will be out here on the 1st, so I am looking forward to seeing him when he gets here. Other than that, just counting the days till I can get home to see Ashley, Lola, and the rest of the family. Hope everyone is well and I will be in touch.

Chris

Well, I have been here in 29 Palms, Calirfornia for about a week. If you didn't know, 29 Palms is in the Mojave Desert in 29 Palms. It is hot. Today, I was in a classroom, none of which have AC and the temp in the classroom was 101. It's a dry heat, but it is still hot. At night, it is in the 70's, so that's nice. The job I have is a very welcome change to my routine in Iwakuni. I am definitely more busy than I ever have been and it makes the time fly. Most of the Marines know what's going on and I am learning alot about Maitenance. Basically, we are responsible for assets of our unit. I well explain more when I get home.

I miss Ashley and the baby alot. I talk to her almost every day.

Hope all is well in NC. See everyone soon.

Chris

Well, I don't have pictures to add, but I just wanted to let everyone know that the number I gave you has changed if you have not figured that out already. I leave here in about 2 hours to pick up my pistol and leaving okinawa on sunday morning. I am gettimg pretty antsy. I can't sleep, although LoLa and Moma are sleeping now. I am trying to stay awake so I can sleep well on the plane. I will be taking alot of pictures and hopefully I can update the blog with some of them before I get back here to Okinawa. Okinawa is great by the way. They have starbucks out in town and a beach that is right behind it. I got pretty sunburned on a cloudy day. I guess that was my fault though because I fell asleep for 2 hours on the beach. If you don't know by now, it loks like I will be home on the 23rd of June, vice the 10th of June. We will be having a party on July 4th and you know how the Wades do...we go all out....right mom?

Well hope everyone is doing well. Please check Ashley's blog (http://babywade.blogspot.com)
She has updated it with pictures of Lola at the beach.

Christopher

One of the bars i went to the night I got to Okinawa. This place was as big as it looks and has all American signs and posters (Marilyn Monroe, USMC Flag, and some Chicago Bears hats hanging on the wall).

A picture of how small this plane was.

This is how small a C-12 is; great ride though. This is what I rode from Iwakuni to Okinawa in.

Lola and Mommy seeing Daddy of at the airport.

After a few "practice swings," Ralphie finally hit the ball pretty well.

The first family Golf outting. Lola shot a 72.

Lola has started eating solid foods. Here she is eating seet potatoes. She's not real good at it yet, but she's getting better.

Well, where do I begin. I left Iwakuni bound for Okinawa because this is where the unit I am going to Iraq is headquarted. Once I got here, the plan went to _____. Our driver was asleep in the van we were to ride in and we sat at the terminal for about 45 minutes waiting on him. Once we got to the HQ, we went to see the XO. He told me that I was not going to be the battalion Supply Officer since a Captain just got moved into that spot. So it looks like I will be the Maintenance Company XO. Not a bad job. Then, I had no place to stay for the night, so I called by buddy Josh and he put me up for the night. We went out to dinner and got some drinks, but I was the designated driver since I was the only one who had gas. We woke up the next morning and I got a reservation at a hotel out in town. They have a hotel on base, so I checked that after I got a reservation out in town and found out they had available rooms. So I had a place to stay on Saturday and then went to play Golf with Josh and his budday John. I played ok, but I think I need a few lessons (wink, wink Dad). Today (Sunday) I woke up and went to the Gym. Okinawa is about 20 degrees warmer than Iwakuni, so I did sweat alot. Now, I am settled in my room. Tomorrow, I go to the unit to find what other curve balls I will be thrown. Hope everyone is well. if you want to call me, my number is 011-81-6117-2455 then dial 1, and 3318. Thats my room at the hotel. Cya.