Some notable moments from the trek here:
-The pass over the Japan Alps, the name of which escapes me. At 1780m, it might be my highest pass summited, and was certainly Matt's as well!
-The aforementioned view. While screaming down the other side of the pass, we actually passed some more wild monkeys, and regrettably scared them off while a Japanese cyclist was trying to photograph them. Sorry :/
The campsite on the other side of the pass was probably the best yet - minutes from a great restaurant and onsen, and high enough altitude for it to drop below 25 degrees at night. When you can slog up a pass that high, and then get a bath and a meal and a good night's sleep, you feel like you may be doing this the right way.
-24 hours, 110km, 37 degrees and several climbs later, all of that good feeling had diminished when we reached our intended campsite only to find it closed. And being thunderstormed on. This turned out alright however. We got clean in the downpour, took shelter in the wash station, and camped for free on soft spongy grass.
-After a murderous climb, which resulted in an excellent onsen but non-existent campground, we found an impromptu site in a ski area parking lot. Free, but we were feasted on by black flies. "Mushi ga, watashi o tabemashita." My japanese translation of "Bugs ate me."
-Our final day before reaching Kyoto found us at a campsite on the shore of the..big lake that's near Kyoto. Another name escaping me. A lake to swim in, a 7-11 within walking distance, and a bike path to follow the next morning, and the going is easy.
More Kyoto pictures to come soon. To Matt's Mom (and all his other various fans): Now that Matt knows that being photographed is expected of him by his loved ones, he may concede to be photographed more often. (It will also help that I found a fresh memory card for my camera and can start taking surprise pictures of him again.)
I agree, there is no contest Zack. However, on our second day of riding in the rain we stopped to quickly eat our soggy egg salad sandwiches under a tree in a park where the only shelter/table was occupied by a lone, cigarette smoking, not-friendly-slightly-scary person. If anyone told me that this was how the first couple of days would be, I would have stayed home. However, IT WAS REALLY FUN!
ReplyDeleteMatt, the orca was spy hopping, not eye hopping, my error. It means they come straight out of the water, mouth/snout first. It looks like they are eyeballing the boat, shore, YOU, whatever.
ReplyDeleteHi from your fan. I love the photo of the mountains. I set it as a background on my computer--came out a little fuzzy but still amazing. Thanks Zack for thinking of me re more photos of Matt. Just so you guys know A LOT of my friends are reading your blog and they are enjoying it. I was surprised to see palm trees. BTW Matt, is that the clothes line Sandy gave you?
ReplyDeleteSure is, it's been pretty useful now that it's relatively dry and hot enough to actually dry things.
ReplyDeleteTell her I said thanks!
Boys!
ReplyDeleteI do hope you're having the time of your life, be well, stay healthy, and keep the comments coming.
coura