September 3 2011

September 3 2011: Today was Shane's pick as to where we went. Well, he was put on the spot to pick some place to go for the day, as I was tired of deciding. Since he and Mom have never been, that was the pick. Andi is always up for the aquarium. I wasn't to thrilled, having just been there earlier this summer. But alas, it was much more fun when not having to keep track of 4 children (3 of whom aren't your own). And much more relaxing when not on a time constraint. For example, the entrance outside....I have never noticed the artwork. Huh, go figure.
As always though, the sea critters were mesmerizing. Though I do feel bad for them. Some of them should really have much larger tanks, or better yet, just not be in there.

Oddly, I forgot to take pictures of the names of things I was photographing. So aside from the obvious Lion-fish and turtle....these two are just going to be mysteries. Though I do love the one below...a face only a mother could love.

We did go see the dolphin show and then went back to the holding tanks. There was a sign there. (if you click on it, you'll see it larger) or you can read it here: "Warning! Spray of salt water appears by jump of dolphins. Because there is danger that is involved in a dolphin, Please do not grow a hand in a fence." Some days I am just confused by what I read.
Above: A view from the windows of the aquarium of Aomori. (well, just a little tiny corner of Aomori. It really is a big city)

Below: What to do should your car stall on the train tracks!
As we were driving to and fro on the street trying to find the entrance to the aquarium (I should know it having been there, but I've been there in two different directions....I confuse easily) we noticed a Torii gate and steps! This usually means a temple or shrine is nearby.
So, what the heck, off we went for a side adventure. We approached the steps. Our jaws dropped a bit. The risers on these steps were made for giants! They were a foot high! I am not kidding....talk about a workout. Though Shane thought they were just right. Andi saw no problem either and went up lickety spit, and back down to check on us old folks, and back up. The she just stood at the top waiting for us to crack, snap and pop our way to the top (that would be the sound our knees were making). There was possibly only 50 some steps in this manner, but given the fact they were twice as high and probably made by some drunken monks, it had to have been more!

Above and below: Did I mention they were also incredibly STEEP! The above is from the second landing of steps and below is atop the third landing....oh, I'm sorry, you don't see any steps...they are there, but like I said STEEP!

So, after this incredibly hard climb, plus another 40 or so normal sized steps, nice and gradual steps, we get to the top. A grand shrine or humble temple? No...something akin to a storage shed. There were no ropes or bells to indicate a shrine or temple, so we have no idea why the grandeur of the steps. But, steps went down the back side towards the ocean. Yippee!

Oh, wait, those end at another Torii gate and a fence. Luckily that gate wasn't locked, as we had already decided that going down the steps of drunkenness probably wouldn't be a good idea.
So, we opened the latch and walked into an old parking lot and some sort of abandoned fair grounds. A great view of a mystical "sea lion" though.
And in the fenced off fair ground area a lone statue remains. Perhaps pondering days gone by filled with children's laughter.

Beyond the fair grounds was a little fishing village and the bay. I'm never sure what the bay is called. I'm fairly certain it is Mutsu Bay, but at this location, being right off Aomori, it could be something else entirely.

Above: A fisherman. The clouds look like they should just be dumping a torrential down pour. It held off til we got back to the car, and even then once we got back into the mountains, we left it behind.
Above: A view of the seaside village. A lot of closed shops. A few were open, mostly restaurants offering Peanut Butter and Jelly! NO, of course not, they were offering seafood! We didn't have any. Having just picked up some stuff at a "combini" and picnicking at a bench by the bay.

Below: Is this a new logo for Coca Cola, or is it just in Japan?


Above: A view of the mole hill we labored so intensely to get over. It doesn't look like much here, but really it was a bit of work! If those stairs were close by I'd have a workout to do every day!
All right, every time I turn around at a point of interest or rest stop, mom is taking pictures of the "you are here" map. I just couldn't resist this when I realized Andi was also taking part! Although, it really does help to have these pictures, as sometimes I do have to refer to them while en-route to figure something out! (And yes, I do have my own photo of this map)

It's been another busy week. There'll be another double post this week to cover Sunday's adventure, and perhaps at some point I'll get the other stuff in as well. We have had a few bicycle rides, so there is plenty going on!

Saturday August 27 2011

August 27 2011 (even though it is really Sept 2 by the time I sit down and do this update) So, it's taking me a tad longer to do this week's double dip. School started and I'm having to adjust my schedule....yeah, I'll use that excuse for this week.

This last Saturday (the 27th) decided to take mom on a drive around Lake Towada and then up to Christ's tomb.

Last post I had a little tease about rest stations here in Japan. At long last I finally remembered to take pictures. Above is the map of the layout of the rest station. Yes, they are serious about their pit stops!

Inside the gift/snack shop. There was also a little restaurant in the back.

Outside on the main plaza was a man selling his wares of a variety of roasted and flavored nuts and dried sea foods. Got mom to try some dried squid. I don't think she liked it. Usually I don't mind it, but this one was a little fishy tasting. Ah well.
Andi found a wonderfully soft border collie to pet. It was the softest dog I have ever touched!

Below: A shot of the main plaza. The tent is the fellow with his wares, and the building with all the goodies behind that.

Off into the mountains we went. A little road construction here and there. This isn't a tunnel through the mountain, rather a snow shed in a slide area.
Though it is a little disconcerting to get to the top of the switch backs, look back from where you came....the snow shed from the previous picture and realize there is a tractor sitting on TOP of the snow shed. I guess that should make me feel better....the thing really can hold a lot of weight!

Various views from the top overlooking Lake Towada.

Dragonflies and butterflies were the wildlife of the day!

We arrived at the village of Yasumiya, one of my favorite places to go. I've featured it several times in the blog, from fireworks, to winter and summer festivals.

Above: Mom and Andi dip their toes in the water.

Below: A lake view walkway.

Above: The bronze maidens. I have several shots of this, but was never able to get the action shot I was hoping for. Various young men traveling in groups would stand below and attempt a live re-enactment....though they kept their clothes on.

Below: The travel option for the spoiled dog in your life.

Up to the temple we went. A nice quiet place as folks were actively saying their prayers/wishes at the temple doors. I love the smell around these places. The incense is always divine. Never smells that good in my own home. Of course my home is made of hundred year old cypress either.

There was another set of stairs beckoning to us. So what were we to do but follow them. All right, I took this shot on our way down, but in reality we were going up. This was the good part. After the stairs came various steps of boulders and no more hand rails. There were ropes to mark the path, and to lend a hand at pulling yourself up.
At the top is this large boulder with holes worn by wind and rain. People put money in. In this well behaved country....people don't take it out. That will be left up to the monks.
Mom peeking in the door of a smaller shrine.

Andi had a great time in this area finding all sorts of places to climb and explore. Never mind that it is on the edge of a cliff....Actually she really does have a lot of common sense, so I didn't worry about her.
She found a ladder (that mom is using below) that lead up to another large boulder. Atop this boulder was a carving.

Let me point out that the ladder in question is made of steel and has hand rails. No worries of rotting wood or such.
Back down to the village.

But make sure you watch out for bears!

Above: We stopped at this shop and got some shaved ice and ice cream cones. Andi the brave went back to see what the "thing on a stick" was.
It proved to be some sort of pounded rice dough deep fried. Not to bad!

Below: a map of the village. The Bronze maidens are down in the lower left corner, and the big temple and climbing adventure on the left, just above the maidens.

So, we leave the Lake behind and head toward the Tomb of Christ.
No, the above isn't the tomb. That's just some pretty flowers in the Buddhist cemetery just across the trail from the cross marking the tomb.
Now, we've been here before. So not to many pictures, but I'll give you a refresher as to what this place is all about.


One of the best things we saw all day was this couple. Traveling on their Harley Davidson motorcycles, with their dogs. No side cars for these pooches. Each had their own crate tied to the rear seat of the bike. The great thing is, these dogs were smiling! Took their potty break and were loaded back up....with grins on their faces, enjoying every moment of their ride!
Now, I'm just a few days behind on activities. There is another one to come for Sunday the 28th...in a day or two. And then whatever adventures we can eek out this weekend......