Today was a special day. I started to write a post about it for Facebook, and it was getting a little long, and I realized the time has come to revive the blog.
We started the day off early by loading the kids’ bikes onto the car. Also into the car went a cooler full of food and drinks, a duffle bag full of shoes and clothes and towels, and a hiking pack full of snorkeling gear.
We roused the kids, and headed down to the same beach where I’ve taken up open water swimming with a group of brave, motivated, fun women. Women who also have a thing for triathlons. Today at the beach, though, we didn’t get together for our swim, or for a monthly “fun workout” which is code for grueling (to me!) self-led triathlon. Today we got together for a kids’ triathlon.
Isla participated in the 7-8 yr old group, and Asher participated in the under 7 group. Both groups, as well as 1 more group for 9 and up, did all 3 events of a real triathlon- open water swimming, followed by biking, followed by running. Distances varied per age group.
This was a small event, not sponsored, organized and staffed by parents. And it was awesome. I hope I never forget this day- the day I joined a group of supportive parents who all encouraged their kids and everybody else’s kids through an event I likely would’ve never even dreamed of for Isla and Asher if I didn’t live here in Guam. An event Isla and Asher tackled with grit and moxie. They just went for it. All out. And so did all the other kids out there.
After every kid crossed the finish line (the youngest was a 2 year old on a balance bike!), they ate donuts and played at the beach.
Next, we got back in the car and headed to a hiking spot called “Spanish Steps.” It is believed steps were built into the cliff by Spanish colonizers a few hundred years ago, but, um, a few hundred years on a tropical island can wreak some serious havoc on construction efforts. These days, the so-called steps are more like a very steep and treacherous decline from the top of a cliff to the bottom. Ropes have been added, as well as multiple ladders. And aside from the steep and treacherous part, the hike was beautiful. I busted into Moana singing mode multiple times. “Consider the
coconuts! Consider the trees!”
At the bottom of the “steps,” you take a little stroll through lush jungle and eventually emerge onto a cove. You then don your snorkeling gear and swim over coral reef in crystal blue water, holding hands with your children, excitedly pointing out to each other the fish and creatures you’re observing. I’m telling you, it was a special day. And Guam has provided us so many special days already.
We don’t have a lot of pictures. It’s tough to juggle a phone/camera in the midst of many of these activities. We have some, though, and I’m willing to bet we’ll get better with pictures. Our time here is limited, and I don’t want to forget any of this.
Keeping up with the Rosses 