The Tiny Pacific Island of Guam

Today I wish I was on my way over to the Asia-Pacific region of our planet.. and along the way I would be making a pit stop at Guam!  I am thankfully working from home today, but it is pouring rain, and this business call is stressful.. so Guam is sounding pretty good right now! Guam is a tiny island located North-West of New Zealand, and can be accessed by air travel, cruise travel, or by cargo (if you are feeling adventurous and on a budget).  Guam is the closest land mass to the Mariana Trench (deepest point of the Ocean in the world), and is almost completely surrounded by Cora; table reef.  The island is approximately 212 square miles in size, 30 miles long and between 4-12 miles wide.  The highest point in Guam is Mount Lamlam at about 1,300 Ft (400m) in elevation.  Guam’s population is over 50% military personnel or people who are related to the military personnel stationed on the island.  The main source of the economy is tourism, so there is plenty to do while you are here!  Guam has many connecting flights coming in from the United States and the Eastern Asia Pacific region.  This can be used to essentially travel to Guam for free on your way to say The Philippines.  Many travel agencies allow you to use Guam as a layover, and you can stay for a few days before the connecting flight is actually planned!  This is why I am planning on visiting Guam regardless of any other travel plans I have for this region of the world.

Sunset of Tamuning beach

What to do here: One of the most popular attractions on the island is snorkeling and scuba diving.  Guam is almost 100% surrounded by a tropical table reef that are home to thousands of species of plants, sponges, plants and more!  Guam rarely experiences rough waters, due to its geographical location, making this divers paradise.  The island also offers deeper barrier reefs that are only a 10-20 minute boat ride away from Guam’s shores.  The water temperature is around low-mid 80’s (Fahrenheit) year round, making the perfect conditions for diving.  Another main feature of the island is the hiking.  Many people would not consider Guam a destination to go hiking, but the locals will tell you different.  Hiking in Guam can be extremely rewarding, as the hikes are short (all within a days length), and have many hidden secrets including waterfalls, hidden coves, wildlife and more.  In addition to diving and hiking, one can experience exotic food at restaurants, you can explore ship wrecks from WWII, and relax on the beautiful beaches on a tropical resort.  

Did I forget to mention that you can climb the tallest mountain on the planet in Guam?? Mount Lamlam, although sitting only 1,300 ft (400m) in height on the island, is considered the tallest mountain on Planet Earth.  Why is this?  Mount Lamlam is apart of the Mariana Trench, which technically makes this a mountain apart of the Mariana Trench.  With the Mariana Trench elevation included, the mountain is approximately 37,500FT (11,400M), in elevation.  In comparison, Mount Everest is 29,040 feet (8,800M) in elevation.

My Recommendation: If I was traveling to Guam, I would use it as a layover trip on my way over to Asia.  I would spend no more then 3 days on this tiny island (more then enough time).  My very first day would be spent sleeping and relaxing on the beach with a nice drink in my hand.  This is highly recommended considering you just got off a 18 hour flight. The next day would be spend Scuba Diving and Snorkeling while trying out some exotic food that is distinct to the island of Guam.  The last day would be spent hiking and covering as much of the island as I possibly could in a single day.  This is also recommended so that you would be completely exhausted and enjoy a nice flight asleep. 

Thank you for reading.  Please like, share and subscribe for more daily places in the world that I am currently dreaming of being at rather than work.

Please Note: I do not advertise for any of the mentioned companies or locations in which I advertise for.  I do this 100% for fun and for other want-to-be travelers who want to read.

Olympic National Park

Yesterday I had a nice, well-earned day off in which I spent golfing with my brother.  It was a beautiful day out and I feel well-rested.  With this considered, I am back at work today and continue to wish I was out somewhere in the world.  In continuation with my thoughts in moving to Seattle, Washington for a year to explore the local National Parks and state forests (Canada & US), today I will cover Olympic National Park.

Olympic National Park is located on the Olympic Peninsula, directly west of Seattle, Washington.  The park has 4 regions:  The pacific coastline, the alpine areas, the western temperate rainforest, and the drier forests on the eastern side.  The park is 922,651 acres in size (95% is national park, 5% state park), has 73 miles of wilderness coastline, 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, 60 glaciers, and multiple mountain peaks.  Olympic National park has over 3 million yearly visitors, making it one of the most popular National Parks in the country.  There are 16 campgrounds, 64 trailheads and over 600 miles of trails.  This park is approximately a 2 hour drive to the South-East side of the park, and can take an extra 30-45 minutes to reach the North-Eastern areas of the park, from central Seattle.  Visitors can easily make a day trip or even a weekend trip out if they live in / nearby Seattle which is one of a few reasons why I want to move to Seattle for a year. 

Climate:  The climate in this region is diversified due to the sheer size and geography of the park… Therefor I am just going to cover the general specs.. Please check your local weather before heading into the park AND YES YOU MUST CHECK THE WEATHER!  The climate in the Seattle area is pretty consistent year round.  Due to its unique geographical location with the weather streams, extreme heat waves are rare as well as very cold temperatures.  During winter months, temperature averages from 36-45 degrees Fahrenheit, and during the summer month’s temperatures average from 56-76 degrees.  However, this weather can completely change once you head inside the National Park.  Once you begin gaining elevation in the National Park, temperatures begin to change.  The average during the summer months is in the range of 42-63 degrees Fahrenheit (6-17 Celsius) but can reach into the 90’s(F) at some points.  The average during the winter months ranges from around 20-34 degrees Fahrenheit (-5-1.5 Celsius) and can hit extreme lows into the teens (-15F for example).  

When to visit: Although the park is open year round, the Summer is the dry season.  Compared to the other location National Parks in the region (Mt. Rainier and Northern Cascades), this National Park can be hiked / traveled for more months out of the year due to its geographical location near the Pacific.  Making for less snowfall, the trails are much less dangerous and open.  Expect cool temperatures, rain and fog at any point throughout the year as this is considered a rain-forest. 

How to get there: Take US 101 west, which will pass by 3 different sides of the park.  The main visitor center and entrance are in Port Angeles.  The United States of America has almost all of its roads / and all of its highways mapped out through GPS.  It is extremely easy to plug in a location or address through GPS to find your best route based off of your current location. 

Wildlife:  There is a huge diversity in Olympic National Park due to its geographical location.  There are 20 reptile and amphibian species, 37 native fish species, 300+ bird species, and 56 different mammals, including 24 marine mammal species.  At least 16 of these species are considered endemic (only in one geographical location… I learned this word todayJ).  Animals that are common in this park are chipmunks, squirrels, skunks, 6 species of bats, weasels, coyotes, muskrats, river otters, beavers, red fox, mountain goats (accidentally introduced and being controlled), martens, bobcats, black bear, moles, shrews, whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals and sea otters.  Uncommonly spotted in the park are Canadian Lynxes, and cougars (mountain lions).  Bird species include wrens, gray jays, flycatchers, raptors, warblers, grouses, siskins, ravens, spotted owls, nuthatches, kinglets, red crossbills, thrushes, bald eagles, western tanagers, pygmy owls, Vaux swifts, pigeons, grosbeaks, and many many more. 

What to do here: Boating, fishing & hiking is what brings the majority of people to this park.  Other activities include tidepooling because of the vast length of shorelines and wildlife diversity, camping, backpacking, wildlife viewing tours (you have a good chance of seeing wildlife on your own if you research beforehand), ranger tours as well as night sky tours are also very popular.  If you are in the area during the winter, there is a pretty awesome ski slope that exists within the national park as a more natural ski slope.

Climbling Mount Olympus: It is highly recommended that only skilled mountain climbers attempt this challenge.  Due to Mount Olympics rocks being composed of shale, sandstone, and basalt, the mountain is extremely fragmented, choosy and loose.  Unlike the solid granite in the Cascades and Mount Rainier, Mount Olympus guarantees that at some point you will have a few showers of loose rock falling towards your head (helmet is required).  Climbers on this challenge often find unstable snow, fractured rocks, hurricane-force winds, and rapidly changing weather.  Cell phone coverage is rare and help is far away.  Make sure you do your research ahead of time and plan plan plan.  This may save your life before the climb even begins.

My recommendation:   As mentioned before, the park has 4 regions:  The pacific coastline, the alpine areas, the western temperate rainforest, and the drier forests on the eastern side.    I would recommend spending 1 day in each region to gain the most out of this National Park.  Spend the trip camping out in the night stars to get the most definitive experience (after all you are visiting a National Park). I would recommend backpacking in North Cascades National Park instead of here due to the extreme weather and geographical location.  Backpacking here could get a little wet, and for the same reason I would only stay at one of the 16 campsites or within a camper.  Make sure to bring campfire snacks / food and plenty of beer for the cold nights.

If anyone has ever been to Seattle or lives(d) in Seattle, please leave any tips or information!

Thank you for reading.  Please like, share and subscribe for more daily places in the world that I am currently dreaming of being at rather than work.

Please Note: I do not advertise for any of the mentioned companies or locations in which I advertise for.  I do this 100% for fun and for other want-to-be travelers who want to read.

 

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Today I wish I hiking Mount Rainier insteas of being stuck 45 floors up in the finacial district of NYC.

Mount Rainier National park is located about 50 miles South-East of Seattle, Washington.  It is located on the most North-Western corner of the United States on the Pacific Ocean, excluding Alaska.  Mount Rainier is the 5^th oldest National Park in the United States of America.  The park is over 225,000 acres large and includes the monstrous 14,411 foot (4,392M) active Mount Rainier Volcano, in which the park is named after.  Within the National park there are valleys, waterfalls, meadows, old-growth forests, and more than 25 glaciers (including the largest in the United States outside of Alaska).  As I went over yesterday, I am debating with myself on moving to Seattle for a year before I start my world-travel business.  While I am in Seattle, I will definitely be exploring Mount Rainier National Park on multiple occasions.  

The climate in the Seattle area is pretty consistent year round.  Due to its unique geographical location with the weather streams, extreme heat waves are rare as well as very cold temperatures.  During winter months, temperature averages from 36-45 degrees Fahrenheit, and during the summer month’s temperatures average from 56-76 degrees.  However, this weather can completely change once you head inside the National Park.  Once you begin gaining elevation in the National Park, temperatures begin to change.  The average during the summer months is in the range of 42-63 degrees Fahrenheit (6-17 Celsius) but can reach into the 90’s(F) at some points.  The average during the winter months ranges from around 20-34 degrees Fahrenheit (-5-1.5 Celsius) and can hit extreme lows into the teens (-15F for example).  

How to get there:  Depending on which part of the park you want to explore that day, your entrance and your route will change.  The two main roads that get you to the park from Seattle are route 165 (North-west entrance) and route 7 (turns into 706) coming into the South-west entrance.  They take about the same time to get to.  There are roads that travel through the central parts of the park, however do realize that it is still a national park, and you must park then hike to get to most sections worth exploring.  Please use GPS to navigate based off of your preference.. The United States has almost all roads in the country mapped out at this point.. Use it to your advantage.

Wildlife: Mammals that inhabit this national park are especially the cougar (mountain lion), black bear, raccoon, coyote, bobcat, snowshoe hare, weasel, mole, beaver, red fox, porcupine, skunk, marmot, deer, marten, shrew, pica, elk, and mountain goat. The mountain goat is one of the iconic animals in this park and are only commonly found when you travel above 2,000 Ft. in elevation and is most commonly found above 5,000Ft. in elevation. Refer to here for more information on where to see mountain goats in Mount Rainier. The common birds of this park including raptors are the thrush, chickadee, kinglet, northern goshawk, willow flycatcher, spotted owl, steller’s jay, Clark’s nutcracker, bald eagle, ptarmigan, harlequin duck, grouse, peregrine falcon, gray jay, golden eagle, grosbeak and finch.  Bird watching for large birds-of-prey can be very rich and rewarding if you plan your trip for the Spring – early Summer months.

What to do while here:  What brings the majority of people to this park every year is mainly hiking, site seeing, photography, snow skiing in the winter, bird watching, and climbing the Mount Rainier Volcano itself.  There are hundreds of hiking trails all throughout the park.  Paradise is the most popular destination in the park.  There is a historic Inn located in this region of the park as well as dozens of famous hiking trails including the Skyline trail.  Paradise is known as the snowiest place on Earth, reaching over 1,000 inches annually.  Longmire is another popular destination in the park due to having 178 total campsites throughout the area as well as having its own visitor center.  This is the main starting points for many people as well as the famous Wonderland hiking trail.  For more hiking try heading over to the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park.  From here you hike the Mount Fremont, Burroughs Mountain and Sourdough Ridge trails, as well as visit some iconic meadows in the Springtime, and get to view the Emmons Glacier.  For snow skiing in this area, the Mount Baker Ski Area is where I was told everybody goes near Mount Rainier National Park due to its insane annual snowfall of over 1,000 inches.  (closest ski resort to Mount Rainier).

Hiking the Mount Rainier Volcano:  Over 10,000 attempts are made to hike / climb to the top of Mount Rainier every year.  There is only a 50% success rate of actually reaching the peak who individuals who attempt the climb.   Most of the lack of success is due to weather patterns as well as lack of physical condition for underestimating the climb.  The hike will take approximately 2-3 days to reach the peak depending on how fast you can climb.  There are campgrounds located throughout the climb and if you pass the high camps, they require you to purchase a climbing pass and register (mainly to keep track of individuals who may not make it back).  FYI Climbing teams require experience in glacier travel, self-rescue, and wilderness travel so DO NOT under-estimate this climb.  

Recommendations: For all smaller sized National Parks (Under 250,000 acres) I recommend 4 days and 3 nights while staying within the park at either a local campground or on your own via tent or camper if allowed by the park.  1 night in this park must 100% be spent climbing to Camp Muir.  This is the highest non-technical point (10,080FT) in the state of Washington and most of the United States.  This hike is over 8 miles round trip, and includes 4,660ft. of elevation and has the most rewarding of views.  The next two days I would spend exploring Paradise as well as the Sunrise regions of the park.  My recommendation is to stay within Longmire region and maybe start with a warm-up hike every morning as this is one of the easier hiking areas.  Spend the nights enjoying the night-skies and having campfires while drinking beer; after all isn’t this why you came here?!  Spend the 4^th day filling your time with anything you and your accompanied persons want to do.

If anyone has ever been to Seattle or lives(d) in Seattle, please leave any tips or information!  

Thank you for reading.  Please like, share and subscribe for more daily places in the world that I am currently dreaming of being at rather than work.

Please Note: I do not advertise for any of the mentioned companies or locations in which I advertise for.  I do this 100% for fun and for other want-to-be travelers who want to read.