The picnic was one of the few chances for people from the Ronald H. Brown to meet the rest of the project. As well, the various groups within KWAJEX haven't necessarily had much of a chance to mingle, since AeroMet and the Operations Center are across the runway from Building 1009. As you might expect, there was a little snorkling, a little digging in the sand, lots of eating, and non-stop talking. The weather was beautiful for entire event, contrary to the popular assumption that it always rains on picnics that meteorologists plan.

I found it interesting to hear the stories of how long-term residents feel about living on Kwaj. Generally they considered the environment a big attraction, and were pretty positive about the people with whom they worked. Housing tends to be a problem. There is only a limited amount, all of which is centrally controlled and provided as part of the employment. So, a person's accomodations are subject to a fairly elaborate priority structure. Unlike many other military facilities, one can't just go outside the gates and buy a house – it's all water out there! Another issue that some of the longer-term residents mentioned is that videotapes (there's now a tape rental store) and the Internet have reduced the amount of interaction among the residents. On the good side, these have given residents more options for staying in touch with the rest of the world.. I know from comments in the chapel bulletin that life on Kwaj is also affected by the high number of transient visitors, as well as workers who are not able to bring their families for one reason or another. Almost uniformly people felt as though Kwaj has enough different little niches that one can get a change of scene without ever leaving the island.

Another highlight of the day was meeting the LCU Manassas, which was returning from the resupply/crew change for the KWAJEX site on Woja Island. It was originally supposed to arrive at 3 a.m. , but they had stayed to attend the farewell dinner that the Marshallese on Woja were giving for Dr. Robert Pasken, the KWAJEX person who was leaving after a month on the island. Despite some of the trials of living there, he seems to have had a really good time. I guess trading Spam for fresh lobsters sort of off-set climbing on the roof of the hut at 2 a.m. in a blinding rainstorm to re-attach the tarp. Among other things, Bob took along a small telescope for viewing the incredibly vivid stars.