Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve (above) As you can see, Andi is all ready for Santa. She'd been working on her letter to Santa for a week....so as not to forget anything she wanted to tell him. A small feast was laid out for the man and his reindeer. The reindeer's' plate was empty by morning, as well as the cookies. (oh and a bowl of water for the reindeer)
Christmas morning brought a bevy of presents, all of which were a hit. The best one though was the guitar that Santa brought. I think she would sleep with it if she could. Now comes the hard part of learning chords and taking lessons. Though she is the ultimate non-conformist and wants to play her way. I'm all for that, but have told her she needs a few lessons, so that she can get the gist of how chords work, and maybe learn to read music. (unlike her mother who functions by "1st string, 2nd string.")
December 26 2010: Decided it was high time to get out of the house for a day. Our destination today is the snow monkeys located in Wakinosawa. (don't worry there'll be a map in a little bit to give you an idea of where to go) We have found that all road trips require a stop at a Lawson (kind of like a Circle K). In winter Lawson's carries these wonderful steamed rolls that have even more wonderful things stuffed in them....like pizza, curry, pork, yaki-soba noodles....it's all good....but they only have them in the winter. As I was waiting for Shane to come out I looked across the street to see not just your regular do it yourself carwash....but a do it yourself tractor wash (and boats too!). There were no tractors getting washed at that moment, but always nice to know there's a place for them to go....Of course, when they plow the rice fields in the spring to get them ready for planting, those tractors do get really muddy, so I see this as a very practical business.

As we traveled, we got into some snowy areas. There hasn't been much snow in Misawa yet this year. So it was fun to finally get into to it. We traveled from Misawa over to Noheji, then up the western side of the peninsula to Mutsu (quick break out Google Maps!). There had been about 4 inches fresh snow during the night, and roads aren't plowed as quickly in the states.

Aha, here come the plows! The top is a giant snow blower, obviously not doing anything...why bother, the roads were nicely packed! Not sure why the plow wasn't down, but like I said, it is Japan, road plowing is really hit or miss, mostly miss.

Stopped at a scenic overview. The wind was blowing a gale!

But then, a few miles later (and a turn on the coastline) here comes the sun. Below is a Japanese Navy Ship. This is at the naval base in Ominato...just west of Mutsu. We didn't go on base, but found a playground that was located just outside the gates. In true form, I went out on a seawall to take pictures. While Shane waited in the truck hoping I didn't get arrested for suspicious behavior. (since I was so inconspicuous in my bright red jacket)

As we drove along the coastline, it was literally snowing on one bend, and clear skies on the next.


Ah, the map I promised. So, if you look at the right side and the tan area....imagine if you will that the map goes lower.....that's where you'd find Misawa. When we go to see the wild horses, we follow the road located on the far east coast. This time, we went to the road on the left and up to the lower part of the "ax" (You see the swan there, that's the Mutsu area) We then followed the coast line to the west over to that red dot (that's where this "you are here" sign is located") a scenic overlook. We still have a little bit to go (a quarter inch just looking here) then head North on the blue line. We didn't go very far North (can you make out that "P"?....that's as far as we went) (remember you can click on the picture to see an enlarged version)
Andi took the opportunity to throw a few snowballs at her father. I think she hit him with that last one!

Now we have arrived at the monkeys (Saru in Japanese). I have heard various things about the monkeys. This is as far North as they go. Supposedly they like to soak in the hot springs (who can blame them) and they are in an abundance. Well, at this particular station, they are in a cement enclosure, and that's it. Though we found a sign that indicates there is a full scenic loop (that looks like it could take another day, and according to my road maps, are closed in the winter anyway) so I know there will be another trip to make sure we are getting the full scope of the monkeys.

I do wonder how they decide who gets to be in the center.....
There was no about, so we wandered around the property until we came across the visitors center. Actually it looks like there are multiple visitor centers, but only this one was empty (on top of the hill, of course) Ok, so there first thing that pops to mind, why does the center have a giant marble etching of a wild pig/boar? I don't know. But judging from the amount of taxidermied pig/boars inside, I would have to assume they are native to the area as well.
It's a cute set up....in some sort of weird way. It's just no one warned me about this....it's always about the snow monkeys...no one says a thing about taxidermied pig/boars.
So, we journeyed home. (I'm hoping to know more about this next spring....I have found little on the internet about it)

As always, the Japanese ride their bikes, no matter the weather.

Steps leading up to a large temple. We hadn't noticed this on our way to Wakinosawa, return trips are always filled with just as many surprises as the on way to part.
Seaside village.


Our return trip took an hour less. Mostly due to the fact that the roads had finally been plowed, and the snow squalls had stopped. All in all the monkey's weren't exactly what I was expecting, but that just gives us more to see. There is so much up in that area, that we are thinking we will have to figure out the camping regulations and take a few days to enjoy it all.

December 21 2010

December 21 2010- Yes, I am aware, that I am a day late on getting the blog updated. But well, I don't know, it's just the way it is. Christmas vacations is in full swing and so is the "Mom, I'm bored" syndrome. Though when a list of chores is produced, suddenly everybody disappears, even me!

Sunday was baking and decorating day. And, no, I did not bake the gingerbread walls myself....those came with the kit. I love kits! Andi had a great time decorating the house to her liking. (rarely does she "color within the lines")

Note the guard dog on the right side of the above picture!
See all the snow??? Um, yeah, another mild year so far in Misawa. It was about 40 degrees yesterday. Though a good stiff wind was blowing out of the Northwest, to bad it didn't bring snow with it.
We went to another neighborhood park. Andi has found if she keeps her eyes open as I'm out exploring, she can generally find parks. We noticed this one last week. Yesterday became a perfect afternoon for checking it out up close. (she even remembered how to get to it)

While she was playing, I noticed the roof pieces on the house right next door to the park. I'm thinking someday when my husband builds my dream house, or perhaps my daughter's husband, or their children (I believe in the long term!) I'm going to look back through my pictures to find just the right roof ridge pieces to put up there!

December 11, 12 2010

December 13, 2010: Well, we'll start out today's blog by answering a question. A reader (I am hesitant to use the word "follower" as that seems to imply that I am a leader of some kind....no leader, just a wanderer) anyway, I digress. The reader was wondering what I meant when I use the phrase "fried goodness". This is my limited vocabulary at explaining all the MANY types of foods found at festivals. There'll be stuff (like above), that must be Yaki Soba, cabbage, and something else.
And, "fried goodness", also refers to "things on a stick". "Things on a stick" run the gambit of a hot dog type thing, to a sausage wrapped in a swirl shape, fried chicken, to a variety of unidentified items....though the suckers on some would indicate octopus. (which when eaten warm, really isn't to bad....eaten cold, after its been cooked, and it's a bit chewy)

Now, isn't that the way to start off your week!

On the bright side, we do have Mister Donuts out here. Japanese Donuts are a bit different than American. They aren't as sweet, and not as heavy. It's a little surprising at first, but now, it just make sense.
Ok, let's get on with the happenings of the last two weeks. You'll pardon my not posting anything last week. Recovery from dental surgery trumps blog updates anytime. Especially when pain killers are involved and my eyes crossed at the slightest effort to do something productive. But recovery has progressed nicely. I'm down to just a few token advil's with the occasional super motrin tossed in. Stitches come out today, so I'm sure it'll be a motrin kind of night.
Cabin fever got the best of me on the 11th. Dragged Andi down to the beach, even though the wind was blowing a gale. No rain, so it must still be beach weather!
Oddly, I've never noticed that there was a giant clock tower on the beach. Well, not to giant, but big enough that I don't know how I missed it.
Caught site of a rainbow. It was a full rainbow, but the other end just didn't have such a majestic view to disappear to. Andi is sure the mermaids are reaping the rewards of that pot of gold that must be down in the ocean.
Even though she mumbled and grumbled about having to come with me to the beach, Andi did seem to enjoy herself.
The airbase isn't to far, so this the approach route on most days. That's a Japanese plane, from their air force, a transport of some kind. I'm sure there's more detail....but well, I'm not that into planes to do further research.
And of course, the obligatory shot of waves crashing in.....just can't help myself.

Better yet, is the snail shell that Andi found. She has gotten our first fully intact snail shell! That's right up there with finding a whole sand dollar.
December 12, 2010: Tired of hearing me complain about never getting out, Shane took a study break, so that we could do a short Sunday drive. If you recall a few weeks ago, I forgot my camera. On a day when we saw so many interesting things. Well, wonder of wonders, we made our way back to one of those spots! A large Buddhist temple. It was a big compound. I would guess that the Monks are living on site, though it was quiet on the grounds this day.
I don't know the name of this temple. (that would require some research....which though I am feeling better....not better to spend to much time on research...)
I loved this little statue.(above) And as always, the woodwork on these temples is just awesome!)

The Buddha statue above overlooked the cemetery. And towards the base of the statue was the mother and child statue below. And yes, it was cold enough that the hat and scarf were appropriate!

View of the cemetery.
6 Buddhas in a row. (well, I assume they are Buddha's.) Not sure which each represents. Will have to print off a picture and take it to my dentist appt. The assistant is Japanese and loves to answer my cultural questions! So perhaps I'll be better educated by the end of the day. (one can only hope)