A Walk in the Clouds

October 1 2011 - It was my pick this weekend as to where we got to explore. I wanted the Hokkado Ropeway. Been wanting to see it for awhile, and had hoped to do it while mom was here. But the weather, and a sick child conspired against us.
We started out by heading up Rt 103. We've done this road many times. One of the things we've noticed is little pull outs and a nature trail. Today, because we could, we stopped for a couple of those pullouts.
(take note of how blue that sky is! A beautiful day for a ride in the mountains.....or is it?)

Andi had a great time with the dragon flies.


Note that this water fall is terraced. It is man made...to help the salmon get upstream to do their duty.

Oh....what happened to the blue sky? Yes, we went up in elevation and over the pass. Apparently it is a little cloudier on this side.....and colder.

Andi, it turns out, isn't to thrilled with the idea of a gondola ride up the mountain side. Her she is, putting on the appearance of being somewhat excited. Shortly thereafter she tried to make a bolt for the car as we were getting ready to board the gondola.

http://www.hakkoda-ropeway.jp/lang/en.html

http://www.hakkoda-ropeway.jp/lang/en_p.html (this one should bring up the brochures)

There were some amused Japanese. Perhaps more concerned that their would be a screaming child on the ride. But, a few bribes...a trip to the gift shop on return and playtime at the indoor playground on base, brought her down to dull whimpers. She pulled her hat down and hid in Shane's arms the whole way up. But she did it! Just before we were to get on the ride, I realized that I had left the binoculars in the car. She volunteered to go back for them. But I suspect that had I done that, she wouldn't have returned.
So, the view from the cable car....a bit obscured.
At the top are some wonderful hiking paths. Little loop and big loop. After much discussion, one slight tantrum (sort of Andi and sort of me....she was too cold and wet and wanted to return. I was cold to, but wanted to see the rest of the foggy views. And Shane was in heaven and wished we had proper gear to do some of the off the main trail trails.) We ended up doing the whole "8" trail.
The mountain top station.

The pillar below had carvings on each side. Each side was different. Since we couldn't see the view, we could only surmise that it was depicting the view that one was looking at.

Above: Map showing the various volcano's that are around.

Below: A brief break(?) in the clouds reveal a communications station. Oh, it wasn't just clouds....It was rain as well. Cold rain. Cold wet rain. Cold wet rain that turned to sleet. Cold wet rain that turned to sleet that also had a good stiff breeze bringing it in. Did I mention cold?

The trail was very well groomed. Some areas dirt (mud by now). Other areas cemented over, and dirt areas with logs on which to walk to stay out of said mud. (which is a good theory, but doesn't really work for a 10 year old in sneakers)
WOW! Look at that view! Stunning! All right, so it's a foggy abyss. (and there is apparently a tree growing out of my head!)


Logs, and boards to go over the muddy path ways.

Above: A marsh area. That's about as scenic as it got.


Above: a description of the marshlands and how they form in volcanic areas.

Below: Trail marker at the top of the "8". We were on the green path. Shane really wished we were properly attired to go do the brown path, which would lead us higher into the mountain. If we ever return here, hopefully it is warmer and sunnier, than I might be tempted.



The ride back down the cable car. A little better this time. No screams, or trying to run away. Mainly because she knew the car was below...the only way to get there was the cable car. She did pull her hat up the last 5 minutes and looked out. Even stood up.
But still, not a good view on the way down.

Thank goodness for the gift shop that had some postcards. I don't know why the marsh looks so orange. Not sure if that's the way it really looks and it's a result of the volcanic properties, or if there is some photoshopping done on the picture.

Below: What our view could've looked like if it wasn't in the clouds.
So, as cold as it was, and a bit miserable for some of us.....it was a wonderful experience! I would do it again in a heartbeat. (Andi's heart might have to be restarted....)


On the way back to Misawa, the clouds cleared (of course) and there were some beautiful valleys.


So ends the weekend adventure. We didn't get out on Sunday, as Andi opted to use her indoor playground bribe. Oh, and as part of the ride bribe, she gets next weekends outing pick. Well, we know it won't be to the ropeway!

Mom's pictures of her vacation Aug 21- Sept 18 2011

September 29 2011 - Really, time is just going by to fast! There are so many things going on, and at the same time, hardly anything going on (am I living in some sort of time paradox?) that I am falling behind on everything!

So this weeks blog update will be photos from my mom's perspective of her vacation. Though she's not here to put in her own dialogue, so you'll have to put up with my interpretation.
As you recall, we did some bike rides while she was here. I can't remember how many miles we logged...not as much as we wanted, due to the rainy season. (I've been here long enough, you'd think I could remember when the rainy seasons start and end, and start again....)

Above is the ever elusive Mailman (in this case, lady) out and about on their motor bikes. They ride these things in all kinds of weather, even snow and ice. (they have chains that go on the tires and just put right along) I say elusive, as in the time we've lived here, this is the best shot anyone has gotten.

Below is a shot of my "grass". My yard leaves a lot to be desired....like grass. It does very well on the weedy side of life. My neighbor gave me perspective one day. He said if we (his yard has the same problem...the whole neighborhood does really) just decide which weed we are growing, and cultivate said weed....then, by jove, our yards are looking rather nice. Mine is a cross of clover and some sort of grass that looks like soft pine needles...it's the weirdest stuff.

Since the landlord doesn't come and mow the weeds in a timely manner, periodically I'll go out and pluck out the tallest (usually knee high) of the weeds. Mom was here for one of those brief periods of striving to make my lawn look almost normal. When we moved in the landlord put sod down that first spring....it was dormant (or so I thought....if it was dormant, I would think it would've perked up by now, 2 years later)

I can't remember if I posted pictures from our trek down to Miss Veedol Beach. This is the beach where the plane actually took off from many moons ago. (not to be confused with Veedol Beach where Andi used to go to build sandcastles, and destroyed by the tsunami) This beach was also destroyed, as was the original plane that had been on display there.

There is still a lot of work to be done on the beaches, but getting the fishing ports back to fully functioning is still the top priority. I've heard that the leisure beaches will probably be another 2-3 years before they are back to fully functioning.

On a drive about to scope out a bicycle ride (that never took place due to deluges of rain) we came across a road lined with Rose of Sharon.

At the Asamushi Aquarium....who has dreams of swimming with the dolphins???


I haven't looked at the above photo closely....hopefully our eyes are all open and no boogers are hanging out anywhere....
I had to laugh at the above. When I unloaded Andi's camera, I found pretty much the same shot. Apparently this is how Mom and Andi see things. Thank goodness I sit up front, the back looks kind of dull.

Below, going up the mountain roads with mirrors as your guides! They work rather well to let you see that big tour bus bearing down on you as it cuts the corners tight! (although on this trip there were no tour buses....bummer)

At one of the parking areas at the top of the mountain/volcano. Mt Odake I believe. Apparently the hiker below had had enough for the day!

Above: Overlooking the bridge. (no I can't remember the name, and frankly I don't feel like looking back to get it....somebody do it for me)

Below: At the 200some Torii Gates...the horse kind of freaked me out a little.....




Now, let me explain the above photo. Apparently when my mother and sister went to Norway last year, my mother took a picture of said sister in pretty much the same position. (we have a thing for the "artsy fartsy" flower photo) And if I had thought about it, I would've dug through the photos of Norway and put in that picture. But I could feel the "stink eye" coming from my sister should she come across said photo....(how does she do that?)


Look! I took a picture of mom with her camera! Eyes open and everything! (she took one of SAM.....let's see here...Andi's eyes partially closed, her mini skirt riding up a little, Shane looking off somewhere else and I don't even want to look at what mine looked like....so no, you'll never see that one, at least not here!)
Rice fields out behind our housing area, and sweet potato/yam vines. (some day I'll take the time to figure out what the difference is between a sweet potato and yam....but really I'm not sure that I care that much)


The mystery bird. Mom spent hours looking through my bird book of the world....still haven't figured it out.

Oh, and for those who wonder about "Lawson" our favorite conbini....well, here's what the outside of one looks like. It's pretty much a 7-11, but with better food! (well different sometimes makes it better)
Above: Wood carvings at one of the temples.
Andi wasn't happy that Mormor (Danish for mother's mother) had to return home. So nothing like playing with the camera to create a distraction.

We were waiting for that last flight. The board makes it look like there are many planes...but look carefully.....3 flights a day....just one gate, hardly any waiting!

Mormor made it through security, but that doesn't stop the conversation.
We went up to the observation deck to see the plane off. We waited, watched, waved, and turned to go as the plane pulled out...to find a security guard patiently waiting for us to say our goodbyes. The airport had shut down for the night, and we were the only holdouts. They are so patient here!

So that's the quick slide show of mom's vacation. Trust me, there are MANY more pictures....