tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80216518715070588192024-03-22T02:18:48.848-07:00Mountain Hiking Holidays BlogSeeking Mountains Around the WorldMountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.comBlogger429125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-75223108561721362662020-05-13T15:45:00.000-07:002020-05-14T14:53:48.442-07:00<h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Launching Our Love Affair with Travel </span></h2>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Mountain Hiking Holidays Creation Myth</b></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">BY JOHN OSAKI, MAY 13, 2020</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the spring of 1987 my wife Amy and I drove up to Acadia National Park in Maine. We were living in Wilmington, Delaware at the time and had discovered Acadia Park two and a half years earlier in the fall of 1984. We had fallen in love with it then and had vowed to return. On our return trip in 1987 we explored the less-frequented corners of the park including the area surrounding fjord-like Somes Sound and Isle au Haut, an island accessible by mail boat from the village of Stonington.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hD1wRBaHnLrTyH9q4FIBBoHcA2V7DmmDE4cmmmypfB_9DKaONPH8AXYP4GRf5fXm-PHSZ82MTvHrbsNM_g-In2qqYi0btNw2T_1NWPeiSvO9cB9ZrAEltOPBJLhf2YSLMaVJauAgIINB/s1600/amy-at-stonington-maine-april-1987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hD1wRBaHnLrTyH9q4FIBBoHcA2V7DmmDE4cmmmypfB_9DKaONPH8AXYP4GRf5fXm-PHSZ82MTvHrbsNM_g-In2qqYi0btNw2T_1NWPeiSvO9cB9ZrAEltOPBJLhf2YSLMaVJauAgIINB/s400/amy-at-stonington-maine-april-1987.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy at Stonington harbor, Maine en route to Isle au Haut in 1987.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1933364664"></span><span id="goog_1933364665"></span>With the exception of Isle au Haut and the Schoodic Peninsula, most of Acadia National Park is spread across Mount Desert Island whose principal town is Bar Harbor. While wandering through a shop in Bar Harbor we happened upon a poster that stopped us in our tracks. On the poster was an image of sharp, serrated peaks rising abruptly from the sea with the houses of a small fishing village clustered in the foreground. The landscape depicted in the image seemed almost otherworldly. It looked like a matte painting created for the background of a fantasy motion picture. Beneath the picture was the word, "Norway." That was the only hint about the location depicted in the image; we could find no other information on the poster. We were so entranced by the landscape presented on the poster that we determined to uncover its precise location.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgsVimuDi47X_82hV9TCV1xxtHJHri385ywPlq3o-kxkc5_BbHREsRTfiSwS5Sjx81sP1-7GkQSmiwPD5pbgC3vCB_agMM3g4LwR6Rd6vXEcMv66eOQ-ijzEC_klBSAxobBEnDemvv5U7/s1600/reine_i_lofoten_poster_made_by_john_using_image_from_1987_special_expeditions_brochure_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgsVimuDi47X_82hV9TCV1xxtHJHri385ywPlq3o-kxkc5_BbHREsRTfiSwS5Sjx81sP1-7GkQSmiwPD5pbgC3vCB_agMM3g4LwR6Rd6vXEcMv66eOQ-ijzEC_klBSAxobBEnDemvv5U7/s400/reine_i_lofoten_poster_made_by_john_using_image_from_1987_special_expeditions_brochure_cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The poster that enchanted us in Bar Harbor, Maine. A framed copy of this poster has hung on the wall of our home for over 30 years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortuitously a few days after we returned home as I was going through the "junk mail" in my work inbox I came across a promotional brochure from a cruise line. Lo and behold! On the cover of the brochure was the same image that we had seen on the poster in Bar Harbor. I opened the brochure and eagerly scanned the copy for a caption or anything that might provide a clue to the location of the village in the photograph. As with the poster, no caption could be found, but there was a line in the brochure copy that read, "</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Wednesday, July 8: In the remote Lofoten archipelago is some of the most spectac</i><i>ular scenery to be found anywhere in Norway; fairy tale villages by the edge of the sea, with jagged mountain peaks looming in the background...</i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">" That passage seemed to describe the image on the brochure cover so I assumed our search could be narrowed to Norway's "Lofoten archipelago."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since Amy was working on her masters degree in American Material Culture from the Henry Francis DuPont Winterthur Museum and the University of Delaware I accompanied her one weekend to the campus in Newark and sequestered myself in the library. I tracked down every book I could find about the north of Norway and proceeded leafing through the sections about Lofoten. In one of those books, I stumbled on a black and white photograph of a fishing village in the Lofoten islands. The mountains in the photograph looked similar to the peaks depicted on the poster and brochure, but at first glance they did not appear to match. Then I looked more closely, carefully comparing the clefts and gullies etched into the mountains until I realized that the peaks in the book and the peaks on the poster were indeed the same. I realized that the poster image looked more dramatic because it had been vertically exaggerated. Under the black and white photo in the book was a caption which identified the village as "Reine." The mystery was solved!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1datUmJMZrqeqTiaO9M31tOKo9eST_8Tber9Md0v5HfQcgTBJ0v4aJgetObI0_sJ6fP6FEKyV1glVVqMk1I-kQ7MdHdAev7VYqP5F24ghAaU-u9HFlyC_j5_gHn0TypsqTFN6wf8Jkpm/s1600/reine-1988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1datUmJMZrqeqTiaO9M31tOKo9eST_8Tber9Md0v5HfQcgTBJ0v4aJgetObI0_sJ6fP6FEKyV1glVVqMk1I-kQ7MdHdAev7VYqP5F24ghAaU-u9HFlyC_j5_gHn0TypsqTFN6wf8Jkpm/s400/reine-1988.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An image of Reine similar to the one I found in the book. (Photo by John Osaki)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I remember telling Amy some time after we first met in 1983 that I didn't need to travel abroad because I could happily spend my entire life in North America and still not be able to see all the mountains I wanted to see on my home continent. But the magical image of Reine in the Lofoten islands forced me to reconsider that stance. I now realized that the world was full of enchanting landscapes beyond my possible imaginings. And now, they were calling to me. So, in July of 1988, when Amy finished her master's degree, we traveled to Norway on a pilgrimage to Reine. Our objective: To stand in the spot where the photograph that had enchanted us in Bar Harbor had been taken. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was my first time to Europe and Amy's first time to Norway. Amy's great grandmother had left her family's farm in eastern Norway in the late nineteenth century and emigrated to the United States so for Amy it was a bit of a "homecoming."</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> For me, it was also a chance to see the landscapes of a country which had fascinated me since I was a child in Hawaii leafing through the pages of my fourth grade geography book. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We flew into Bergen, rented a car and explored the fjord country between Bergen and the city of Ålesund. We chose to poke about in little-known and unfrequented corners—a habit that was to become a hallmark of our travels together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZvTU9sqIpV0kAjQpyjZI8s1qR3t1lCZVm2yF934Xi1V6dBHjbf5XHz05HPKZ1UMp7PZadUTCYh_ypNSHmjszi91_-NaJYQ0TiDduq2gZTuCfxjH1al4cwoukrkBtVKvdaI8eIYP5kRxZ/s1600/blomberg-1988-slide12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZvTU9sqIpV0kAjQpyjZI8s1qR3t1lCZVm2yF934Xi1V6dBHjbf5XHz05HPKZ1UMp7PZadUTCYh_ypNSHmjszi91_-NaJYQ0TiDduq2gZTuCfxjH1al4cwoukrkBtVKvdaI8eIYP5kRxZ/s400/blomberg-1988-slide12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The mountain farm of Blomberg above the Geirangerfjord as it was in 1988. We had seen postcards of this farm and thought it would be fun to see if we could find it. We found its location on a topographic map, then rented a small boat and motored seven miles down the fjord from Geiranger town to Syltavika and an old fjord-side field below the Blomberg farm. We spent a long time searching for the remains of the old farmer's path and finally found it. We trudged uphill for about 1,300 vertical feet through brush and over hidden boulders following the trace of the old path. This view was the reward. (Today, Blomberg has been restored and it's now much more easily accessible.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After tooling about in the fjord country, we flew north to the town of Svolvaer in the Lofoten islands, rented another car, bought a cassette tape of Norwegian country music and set off to find the village of Reine. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had managed to rent a cod fishing cabin </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">from Herr O. Hvedding</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in the village of </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Å (also spelled "Aa") </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at the end of the Lofoten road </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a few miles beyond Reine village.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqY22-pWLxaXmUCdhKbmoGp9lXIBBQF9to2VqHXR7OkRdt0szjz-BArZzmQsP3cVc8PCeJ6P3TcrfnJy7biCstGlI6spxucDHlNsTelubt8CIh3n1ayturfrWgQOmIUd90KkS8WgOXI8V/s1600/herr-o-hvedding-a-i-lofoten-1988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqY22-pWLxaXmUCdhKbmoGp9lXIBBQF9to2VqHXR7OkRdt0szjz-BArZzmQsP3cVc8PCeJ6P3TcrfnJy7biCstGlI6spxucDHlNsTelubt8CIh3n1ayturfrWgQOmIUd90KkS8WgOXI8V/s400/herr-o-hvedding-a-i-lofoten-1988.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Amy and Herr (Mr.) O. Hvedding, our "landlord" during our stay in the village of Å.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fishing cabin ("rorbu") we had rented was rustic with wooden floors painted battleship gray, a large stainless steel (fish cleaning?) sink, wooden bunks and a toilet with questionable plumbing. It was built on stilts above the water so when the tide was high we could hear the ocean sloshing beneath the floor. We cooked our meals on a primitive stove and enjoyed a seafood dinner after convincing one of the workers at a local fish warehouse with a mountain-sized pile of fresh fish to sell us a single flounder--something he was clearly not used to doing!</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0HebQZJQlB8jZnP4HmLUDKNX_rTn2YH2qmEua8_UrHlLr5NLJJKbAjz2XkVJQuMRV6OQIxHmCK1Vmc7AkJgVUcfrjnbiXCmGdmuHQ56oWpggw_BVe5aSNiocLKg5_Z3b3tZ0iybAYvT2/s1600/a-i-lofoten-1988_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0HebQZJQlB8jZnP4HmLUDKNX_rTn2YH2qmEua8_UrHlLr5NLJJKbAjz2XkVJQuMRV6OQIxHmCK1Vmc7AkJgVUcfrjnbiXCmGdmuHQ56oWpggw_BVe5aSNiocLKg5_Z3b3tZ0iybAYvT2/s400/a-i-lofoten-1988_0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fishing village of Å in 1988. Our "rorbu" is the simple red building at the far left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewO-3uiz7_b-0qmz4hjMSzc0AQ5zDPnSlbu8eirhH6_oNkbdWt0hg87EA1c4ihd6HOlOfIrzlew6yWo7gclGM0NV35-ZGTsNBTsz8KEOO1Wxu4NHD026GubH783q7-Qz6WnwZBigaSj0D/s1600/john-and-amy-at-aa-1988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewO-3uiz7_b-0qmz4hjMSzc0AQ5zDPnSlbu8eirhH6_oNkbdWt0hg87EA1c4ihd6HOlOfIrzlew6yWo7gclGM0NV35-ZGTsNBTsz8KEOO1Wxu4NHD026GubH783q7-Qz6WnwZBigaSj0D/s400/john-and-amy-at-aa-1988.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In our rorbu in 1988 in the village of Å i Lofoten.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We explored the trails of the area enjoying the endless summer sunshine. We thrilled to the sight of alpine wildflowers growing a few feet above seaweed encrusted rocks. We challenged ourselves to a swim in frigid, turquoise waters off the blazing white sands of Ramberg Beach. And we cut short a planned hike after we realized that we had started it after 11:00 PM lulled by the 24-hour light of the midnight sun. And, of course, we found the "place in the poster." We determined that the photograph had been taken from the narrow access road to Reine village. We stood on the road to take the photo you see below. There was no traffic and no one else shared the view with us that day. (Today, a constructed boardwalk separated from the roadway accommodates the large number of visitors and photographers who come to enjoy the view.)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieVmf_Ah1tLNlyFbJNcZOiIOAVsAepd4jpj-ihym3A_LC_UnvG-izmWXs371vvbyp63OnSJynG0z6Mmd2TH1ST7vLSeJZGTvE99D1qB-1mSx9cfSMY6BJE9cLJ7_8QbS2GObaKHj8U4vn/s1600/reine_i_lofoten-orig-in-brown-metal-box-4th-row-from-left-toward-back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="890" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieVmf_Ah1tLNlyFbJNcZOiIOAVsAepd4jpj-ihym3A_LC_UnvG-izmWXs371vvbyp63OnSJynG0z6Mmd2TH1ST7vLSeJZGTvE99D1qB-1mSx9cfSMY6BJE9cLJ7_8QbS2GObaKHj8U4vn/s400/reine_i_lofoten-orig-in-brown-metal-box-4th-row-from-left-toward-back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph of Reine taken by John Osaki in July 1988 using Kodachrome slide film.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTpkc17d6zUfpgUbLRxOWjxWk-x56sERmIbI62vZlZ5sdQMLOVYbuYFwBotvs0hyphenhyphenPzuw6daqi3EBQCsy8-wEIvDXkik7ItdUUAThU2JpWlKeFZtWy6dhT4IM1Bng8QhnoCZOfWCmcXFHE/s1600/reine_i_lofoten_poster_made_by_john.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTpkc17d6zUfpgUbLRxOWjxWk-x56sERmIbI62vZlZ5sdQMLOVYbuYFwBotvs0hyphenhyphenPzuw6daqi3EBQCsy8-wEIvDXkik7ItdUUAThU2JpWlKeFZtWy6dhT4IM1Bng8QhnoCZOfWCmcXFHE/s400/reine_i_lofoten_poster_made_by_john.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A mock-up of the poster using the 1988 image by John Osaki above. In the poster view, the image has been "vertically stretched" in the manner of the original poster.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For Amy and me, that 1988 journey to Norway and the Lofoten Islands set the stage for 30+ years of international travel. It reshaped our view of the world and redefined the possibilities that travel offered. Following our Norwegian adventure, independent trips to Guatemala, Yugoslavia, El Salvador and Nicaragua followed in quick succession. All of those early journeys ended up changing our lives and charted the course that led us less than a decade later to found "Walking Softly Adventures" which became "Mountain Hiking Holidays" in the mid-2000s. We have been possessed by the joy of chasing mountains around the world ever since.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-67110699139673118402018-03-25T16:08:00.002-07:002018-03-25T16:08:40.221-07:00How to make chupe de centolla - Seafood dish from southern Patagonia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aBGllGzB7Uc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aBGllGzB7Uc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In March 2016 following our Patagonia hiking trip we were treated to a Patagonia seafood specialty called, "chupe de centolla." "Centolla" is the southern hemisphere equivalent of the northern hemisphere's king crab. "Chupe" is a "stew" or "casserole." Upon returning to Oregon, I was inspired to see if I could duplicate this dish using Pacfific Northwest Dungeness crab. Here's the ingredient list, I just "guesstimated" the quantities.
About 3 Dungeness crabs, picked
1/2 to 1 onion diced
1 sweet red pepper, diced
Diced bread (I used sourdough) soaked in milk to make it soggy
About 1 cup of heavy cream
Shredded cheese for topping before baking (I used Tillamook Monterrey Jack + cheddar)
Salt, pepper to taste
Try it. Experiment. Hard to go wrong!</span>Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-68782291390927361722018-02-06T13:33:00.000-08:002018-02-06T13:33:37.894-08:00It's Summer Now in Patagonia!It's February! For many of you, winter rules the month. February signals cold temperatures and long dark nights. About 88% of the world's population lives north of the equator. Bill Rankin's blog <b><a href="http://www.radicalcartography.net/" target="_blank">Radical Cartography</a></b> has two great visual maps of the population of our planet that clearly illustrate this congregation of people north of the equator.<br />
<br />
However, south of the equator, February is summer! Think of your favorite holiday in December, January, and February. Now picture your gathering with summer temperatures!<br />
<br />
For three decades, we have flown south, across the equator, and experienced the joy of flipping seasons down under! A wonderful swim on New Year's Day at Wilson's Promontory National Park in Australia. Wearing winter coats in August in Santiago, Chile gazing up at the snow-clad Andes mountains. Hiking to the brink to watch the Zambezi River plunge over the precipice at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. And departing our home in Portland, Oregon nearly every year since 2008 to lead our hiking trip in Patagonia.<br />
<br />
February is, in our opinion, one of the best months to hike in Patagonia. Fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina where the average monthly temperature in February is 81 degrees Fahrenheit (with a low of 68 degrees). Your day is illuminated with more than thirteen hours of daylight. Another flight, from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, Argentina, takes you nearly 3,000 miles further south, close to the tip of South America. Here at the foot of the mountains in Patagonia the average monthly temperature in February is 65°F for a high, and 46°F for a low. The summer crowds in the national parks of Patagonia peak in December and January, so now in February you'll have arrived at the shoulder season with the weather is showing hints of the transition from summer to fall.<br />
<br />
Hiking in Patagonia in February does however remind you that regardless of the season, mountains create their own weather. Positioned at the southern end of South America, the mountains of Patagonia in Chile and Argentina bear the brunt of the weather fronts that arrive from the Pacific Ocean to the west and sweep across the continent to the Atlantic Ocean in the east. The skies above Patagonia are a great place to see lenticular clouds—those lens-shaped clouds formed when high winds aloft and the moisture they carry meet the Patagonian mountain barrier. Officially known as <b><a href="https://www.weather.gov/abq/features_acsl" target="_blank">Altocumulus Standing Lenticular (ACSL)</a></b> clouds, they are spectacular! Paolo and others trying to stand up in the wind.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qNBY9UoRnRGZXvQ6U_DG4P_xD5P-dLM4BOWQecz3TdlqhvdBC-8XC4EKFoSzCmNVblmt7XI6i5Rmqna46jh5bNEJcIC-WHN8dqKg9D0lkX9CfzvSJAM1hdeXJevNSVVuYdNL8WDHh9Ik/s1600/Img_3848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qNBY9UoRnRGZXvQ6U_DG4P_xD5P-dLM4BOWQecz3TdlqhvdBC-8XC4EKFoSzCmNVblmt7XI6i5Rmqna46jh5bNEJcIC-WHN8dqKg9D0lkX9CfzvSJAM1hdeXJevNSVVuYdNL8WDHh9Ik/s400/Img_3848.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lenticular clouds at the Brazo Rico, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgc4L5TaY7Tg-Rxi-IXnIxHWsbmPLgxIrTJPSrlykqNED3DBQN3aLM-OkvgADs43avmq3bIWkatpPJakIvffWz2WhVbQtAU7602LgGZxlKc4SFwT2534ZQW_aLq1_yVtmGNeKIqe-tFilU/s1600/Img_0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgc4L5TaY7Tg-Rxi-IXnIxHWsbmPLgxIrTJPSrlykqNED3DBQN3aLM-OkvgADs43avmq3bIWkatpPJakIvffWz2WhVbQtAU7602LgGZxlKc4SFwT2534ZQW_aLq1_yVtmGNeKIqe-tFilU/s400/Img_0823.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braced against the winds of Patagonia in Torres del Paine National Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
However, unlike the northern Andes in Peru and Colombia (where hikes may be at elevations of over 10,000 feet) in southern Patagonia you are frequently sleeping closer to sea level and hiking at elevations of about 3,000 feet. For example, El Chalten (Argentina's "trekking capital") sits at 1,350 feet above sea level. A favorite hike to view nearby Monte Fitzroy brings you to the shores of a mountain lake (Laguna de los Tres) nestled at an altitude of 3,800 feet. Across the border in Chile, at the the Mirador las Torres (where you can enjoy and spectacular and iconic view of the Torres del Paine) you are standing at a mere 2,800 feet above sea level!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEvd_MiT5MZ_C_rgLNbsSxveTCr_TBSbHdXqRHwIeEVTwL4Phqxq-rx6bT9_0BpoNnVmOzzrSvUnZUl5nyI57AKJNR2Xg_GcOKaXpNwwPboA91PZfCCB9GGKyRCZN_vhUdjgyR7Krk4Qp/s1600/Img_0250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEvd_MiT5MZ_C_rgLNbsSxveTCr_TBSbHdXqRHwIeEVTwL4Phqxq-rx6bT9_0BpoNnVmOzzrSvUnZUl5nyI57AKJNR2Xg_GcOKaXpNwwPboA91PZfCCB9GGKyRCZN_vhUdjgyR7Krk4Qp/s400/Img_0250.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laguna de los Tres, Los Glaciares National Park, Argenitna.<br />Elevation at this viewpoint: 3,900 feet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI2BNgd2vwQNhJI9dTaY6Syk7LbhBjEf4WddHjRbAsHYjbDKObbKAqGce9cpBqijb9kYCxW-BF6qXqu3bE0yerOSAYUMVAN1wb-sAPHEBWRdvI7aO5TDtOeKzVW4YpPXqCmwj58Zn80Mq/s1600/Img_0559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI2BNgd2vwQNhJI9dTaY6Syk7LbhBjEf4WddHjRbAsHYjbDKObbKAqGce9cpBqijb9kYCxW-BF6qXqu3bE0yerOSAYUMVAN1wb-sAPHEBWRdvI7aO5TDtOeKzVW4YpPXqCmwj58Zn80Mq/s400/Img_0559.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirador las Torres, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.<br />Elevation at this viewpoint: 2,800 feet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The same wind that forms the lenticular clouds may bring rain that may come at you horizontally rather than falling gently on your head. Bringing good rain gear (coat, pants, hat) and layers to stay warm is very important for summer hiking in Patagonia. An excerpt from the Mountain Hiking Holidays Patagonia Trip Book puts it this way:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>It is imperative that you be fully prepared to meet Patagonia’s weather on its own terms particularly since you will be spending so much time out of doors. In order for you to be warm, comfortable, and safe please assure that your outdoor wear is of high quality, in good repair, and up to the task of fending off the region’s unpredictable weather. Be particularly attentive to preparing yourself for wind—even on sunny days, strong, steady winds are characteristic. In general, you can expect summer weather in the Patagonian mountains to be “unsettled” with cool temperatures and ever-present wind. Chance of rainfall generally increases the closer you are to the mountains. By contrast, towns built on the Patagonian steppes (like El Calafate) enjoy generally drier weather. Clouds can be persistent over the high peaks obscuring views. At the same time, massive lenticular clouds (common in the area) are a visual delight in themselves! The average summertime temperature in the Los Glaciares (Argentina) and Torres del Paine (Chile) National Parks is about 69°F with lows averaging about 40°F.</i></blockquote>
Whether you join us on the trail in Patagonia in February, or pick another destination south of the Equator, we hope you go and enjoy the pleasure of experiencing life "down under"! Happy travels and happy hiking!Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-34918149044403698892017-12-14T17:16:00.000-08:002017-12-14T17:16:08.943-08:00Gear Up!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking for gear for your next mountain hiking trip? Here are some of our favorites. After two decades of leading mountain hiking trips on four continents, these are the items we turn to again and again. In 2017, John traveled for 22 of the 52 weeks of the year, and logged 110 hiking days involving over 1,100 miles and 220,000 feet of elevation gain and loss for the year! </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Boots</b>: We hike in leather Asolo boots. These boots provide great ankle support (they come above the ankle), traction with Vibram soles, and protection with a sturdy leather body that protects from rocks and uneven terrain. We have logged many miles on rough mountain trails with these boots. The <a href="http://www.asolo-usa.com/women/tps-520-gv-evo-women-s-chestnut.html" target="_blank"><b>TPS 520 GV EVO (Women's Chestnut)</b></a> retails for about $315; there is a <a href="http://www.asolo-usa.com/men/backpacking-footwear-for-men/tps-520-gv-evo-men-s-chestnut.html" target="_blank"><b>version for men</b></a>, as well. Be sure to allow two to four months to break in these boots, and include at least 6 weeks of long day hikes in the mountains (five hours or more with 2,000 feet of elevation gain) to be sure these boots are really comfortable before setting off on a MHH trip. Alternatively, Merrell has an above the ankle waterproof boot that will break in much more quickly. The style is <b><a href="http://www.merrell.com/US/en/moab-2-mother-of-all-boots-mid-gore-tex/27874W.html?dwvar_27874W_color=J06060#cgid=women-footwear-boots&start=1" target="_blank">Merrell Moab 2, Mother of All Boots Mid</a>. </b>There is a <a href="http://www.merrell.com/US/en/moab-2-mother-of-all-boots-ventilator-mid-wide-width/27936M.html?dwvar_27936M_color=J06045W#cgid=men-footwear-hiking&start=1" target="_blank"><b>version for men</b></a>, as well. Go for a boot that supports your ankle and provides good traction. You can consider water-proof or resistant boots, but be aware that even these will lose that capability with time and use.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Socks</b>: Wearing wool socks provides cushion for your feet, and adds a layer of warmth in case your feet do get wet. We wear <a href="https://www.smartwool.com/shop/women-socks-hike" target="_blank"><b>Smart Wool socks (Hike Medium Crew)</b></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AVM9-sFQQhZerwvWF-m757cRwPU6TzdMQD8M4fyldQeDps6pvATfRf6vdHRsUBujG2Vh-b34m-YjSM6sTeE26N28A0vEMbvc_RVPHIChNXCse_5MxabsWSwT4D6qX0Po-3iCb9UU5ll1/s1600/Img_7801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AVM9-sFQQhZerwvWF-m757cRwPU6TzdMQD8M4fyldQeDps6pvATfRf6vdHRsUBujG2Vh-b34m-YjSM6sTeE26N28A0vEMbvc_RVPHIChNXCse_5MxabsWSwT4D6qX0Po-3iCb9UU5ll1/s1600/Img_7801.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Osprey 34 liter Stratos packed for five days on the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Pack</b>: On the trail with Mountain Hiking Holidays you'll need to carry a day pack containing your rain jacket, rain pants, fleece coat, warm hat, warm gloves, water, lunch (and other personal items). A day pack with a 20 or 30 liter capacity is great. We both carry 34 or 36 liter <b><a href="https://www.osprey.com/us/en/category/technical-packs/hiking/" target="_blank">Osprey packs</a> </b>(for extra safety gear).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Hat</b>: Keeping your head dry and your face protected from the sun is a priority. We like the <a href="https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/en/seattle-sombrero/p/2435050001006" target="_blank"><b>Seattle Sombrero by Outdoor Research</b></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We find this hat to works well for us under most conditions except on the hottest days in the Sahara desert!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please let us know what your favorite gear choices are, and we look forward to seeing you on the trail soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Written by Amy Boyce Osaki</span></div>
Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-83299242982260471522015-11-05T14:19:00.000-08:002015-11-05T14:19:05.451-08:00High airfares to Europe in summer 2016 getting you down?Yup, it's true. At this moment, round trip airfares to Europe from the U.S. West Coast are pricing in the $1,850 to $2,000 range on the major U.S. carriers. (This was actually the case in the summer of 2015 when one of our travelers paid better than $2,000 for a one-stop routing from Portland, OR to Munich with a return to Portland from Lisbon.)<br />
<br />
Options? As of now the best deals to Europe from the U.S. West Coast appear to be on Icelandair. Icelandair's
routings are showing up about $300 cheaper than the big U.S. carriers (United, Delta,
American).<br />
<br />
For example as of today:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Portland-Seattle-Reykjavik-Munich RT on Icelandair for June 14 departure and July 21 return in 2016 is pricing at $1,582</li>
<li>Portland-Reykjavik-Munich RT on Icelandair is $1,655 (using June 15 departure from Portland since Icelandair doesn't serve Portland everyday).</li>
<li>United Airlines for the routing Portland-Houston-Munich RT is pricing at $1,872</li>
</ul>
Icelandair serves the following U.S. cities with non-stop flights to Keflavik Airport (Reykjavik) from where connections are available to many European destinations:<br />
PORTLAND, OR<br />
SEATTLE<br />
DENVER<br />
MINNEAPOLIS<br />
CHICAGO<br />
BOSTON<br />
NEW YORK (JFK and NEWARK)<br />
WASHINGTON DC (DULLES)<br />
ORLANDO<br />
ANCHORAGE<br />
<br />
You can check out options are Icelandair's website at http://www.icelandair.com/<br />
<br />
Or use the ITA Matrix (Google-owned) at http://matrix.itasoftware.comMountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-63551452760123500852014-12-13T15:36:00.002-08:002014-12-13T15:36:37.419-08:00Icelandair Starts Seasonal Service to Europe from Portland, OR (PDX)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5439GoF2XeeV7nA6FuuyKMSPIhillfRuQo8uQMI5mWVnaL3OTrKSSC_15H2KeRqe0_fs94FslTiUK4tK8Gb0op77aiRDzcholRDCxOjVZIz2bIdn0Oy7g-TnvEc8Np_FQfL_TvNJ_-7h0/s1600/icelandair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5439GoF2XeeV7nA6FuuyKMSPIhillfRuQo8uQMI5mWVnaL3OTrKSSC_15H2KeRqe0_fs94FslTiUK4tK8Gb0op77aiRDzcholRDCxOjVZIz2bIdn0Oy7g-TnvEc8Np_FQfL_TvNJ_-7h0/s1600/icelandair.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Good news for Portlanders (Oregon) planning to travel to Europe in summer 2015. Icelandair will be initiating seasonal service from Portland, OR starting on May 20, 2015 running through October 21, 2015. During this period flights will depart Portland on Wednesdays and Fridays at 3:40 PM and proceed non-stop to Reykjavik, Iceland arriving there at 6:15 AM the next day. In Reykjavik, connections can be made to a host of destinations in Europe. (Return service from Reykjavik to Portland operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Flights depart Reykjavik at 5:15 PM and arrive the same day in Portland at 6:15 PM.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On Saturday, December 13, 2015, I did a quick check on airfares and discovered the following prices for a one-stop itinerary Portland to Munich departing Portland on July 1 and returning from Munich on July 14.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
$1,305 on Icelandair via Reykjavik (booked on Expedia).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
$1,860 on Delta via Atlanta on the outbound and via Amsterdam on the inbound (booked at delta.com)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
$1,880 on American via Philadelphia (booked at aa.com)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
$1,890 on United via Washington Dulles (booked at united.com)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As you can see, the Icelandair flights are quite a deal when compared against Delta, American, and United!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I first flew Icelandair to Europe back in 2003, I was underwhelmed with the service and stunned at the mass confusion and lack of organization at Keflavik Airport in Iceland. The last time I flew Icelandair to Reykjavik in July 2014, it felt like a different airline. Great service, on-demand seat-back entertainment in economy class and wonderful efficiency at Keflavik Airport.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Will be interesting to see how long this great fare on Icelandair lasts, or how long it will take the other airlines to match this deal (if ever).</div>
<br />Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-78696360545118455722014-12-13T14:44:00.000-08:002014-12-13T14:44:23.985-08:00Helpful Flight Booking Tools (especially for United frequent fliers)Discovered some great flight booking tools recently. I was searching for a way to make sure that itineraries using Star Alliance airlines (other than United) ended up getting ticketed by United Airlines (i.e. ticket number beginning with "016"). United is now requiring that a certain amount of "Premier Qualifying Dollars" (PQD) be spent in order to achieve Premier status and you can accumulate PQD on Star Alliance flights only if the ticket is issued by United Airlines. I normally prefer to fly international routes on Star Alliance airlines other than United and found that some of these itineraries cannot be generated easily on the United website. I needed a way for Star Alliance itineraries NOT using United on any leg to show up on the United website. In that way I could have United issue the ticket on their ticket stock to make sure that the flights on Star Alliance carriers other than United qualified for PQD accumulation. Following?<br />
<br />
So, for example, I wanted to have United Airlines ticket the following routing from Portland, OR to Tokushima, Japan;<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Portland (PDX) to San Jose, CA (SJC) on Alaska Airlines (non-Star Alliance carrier)</li>
<li>SJC to Tokyo Narita (NRT) on ANA (Star Alliance carrier)</li>
<li>Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Tokushima (TKS) on ANA (Star Alliance carrier)</li>
<li>TKS to HND on ANA (Star Alliance carrier)</li>
<li>NRT to SJC on ANA (Star Alliance carrier)</li>
<li>SJC to PDX on Alaska Airlines (non-Star Alliance carrier)</li>
</ul>
<br />
You can't get this routing to show up by just using the United Airlines website. So, it you want United to ticket this itinerary (using the United website), how do you do this? Here's how:<br />
<br />
<u>Option 1</u><br />
<br />
1. Use Hipmunk (hipmunk.com).<br />
2. On Hipmunk, create a "multi-city" itinerary using the following specifications:<br />
<br />
FROM: PDX::AS SJC NH<br />
TO: NRT<br />
<br />
[This means From Portland, OR (PDX) to San Jose, CA (SJC) on Alaska Airlines (AS), then one leg on ANA (NH) to Tokyo, Narita (NRT).]<br />
<br />
FROM: HND::NH<br />
TO: TKS::NH<br />
<br />
FROM: TKS::NH<br />
TO: HND::NH<br />
<br />
FROM: NRT::NH SJC AS<br />
TO: PDX<br />
<br />
Select the appropriate flights from the results. When the itinerary is assembled, hit the "Book" button and Hipmunk will normally send you to the United website where the itinerary will be generated. You can then can book the ticket directly with United.<br />
<br />
Hipmunk will not always send you to the United website for booking; it might send you instead to other booking sites such as Orbitz or Expedia. Where you get sent depends on the specific itinerary that you've built.<br />
<br />
<u>Option 2</u><br />
<br />
If Hipmunk doesn't do it for you, you can also follow the instructions at the following webpage to generate an itinerary on the United website for booking.<br />
<br />
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-tools/1623427-ita-purchase-fares-orbitz-delta-userscript-2.html<br />
<br />
Though it's a little more complex, this option works well.<br />
<br />
Happy booking!Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-77964263978666355022013-04-13T07:18:00.003-07:002013-04-13T07:20:10.546-07:00Day 9: Mountain Hiking Holidays Shikoku Pilgrimage Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtPHZPT6djb4iaGa8Oc0hwHE3ChsXXc7o9vuSbrlDdk3lkoj8oop_-NqeOIkR8uyZmNi6eeDKbVjAeqtYnttG9ForHWQuDaEQpIb-BmNKERKXp4Og8NpWYJiZeyrYj2LclwiRO9dsSskn/s1600/Img_2559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtPHZPT6djb4iaGa8Oc0hwHE3ChsXXc7o9vuSbrlDdk3lkoj8oop_-NqeOIkR8uyZmNi6eeDKbVjAeqtYnttG9ForHWQuDaEQpIb-BmNKERKXp4Og8NpWYJiZeyrYj2LclwiRO9dsSskn/s320/Img_2559.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A beautiful morning to start our hike from Nagaoji (Temple 87) to Ookuboji (Temple 88). The <i>hondo </i>(left) and <i>Daishi-do</i> (right) at Nagaoji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb5vYEwATm_CI9Fwj3oQxr5niXxb3zGJriSR4H44LBy_-YOggObHLOi-YaSbs2URREEkQdqRKqZjRMcVsYNGCn4OaA9Eg0kzsONVxyeCJKW4sX1T2ehvZiIxI7Y93fZ3aNsVwx_aRjzr2/s1600/Img_2565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb5vYEwATm_CI9Fwj3oQxr5niXxb3zGJriSR4H44LBy_-YOggObHLOi-YaSbs2URREEkQdqRKqZjRMcVsYNGCn4OaA9Eg0kzsONVxyeCJKW4sX1T2ehvZiIxI7Y93fZ3aNsVwx_aRjzr2/s320/Img_2565.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Beautiful old tree in the temple compound at Nagaoji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM4wiYCWE7Jp-LJicRRyodEpsMka3mwnWCSoaBv90EBTBuwds4fXT-AcLjYqss_IXKTyOcEEUtq0G1y6rVWmhx71QEH9lys6IPZyISrbguF7Tmty1lB4Fr-j8JlV9mQhK1x7SSidKdilB/s1600/Img_2571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM4wiYCWE7Jp-LJicRRyodEpsMka3mwnWCSoaBv90EBTBuwds4fXT-AcLjYqss_IXKTyOcEEUtq0G1y6rVWmhx71QEH9lys6IPZyISrbguF7Tmty1lB4Fr-j8JlV9mQhK1x7SSidKdilB/s320/Img_2571.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
En route from Nagaoji to Ookuboji, we passed this stone monument along the pilgrimage route.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1C6KE7k3Q7TRTE5PSNs1AVQj3GpkZWuAon9j6OlYLTrQv7D4dgmGVaNhBGuR0EZupnW0lMeAN31L30oVCx6fyhH-dKTNUjXdjt4g1wAxOrqwxeGEpM_L1chnUDeBorLTW6FOAlJ0jODsv/s1600/Img_2584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1C6KE7k3Q7TRTE5PSNs1AVQj3GpkZWuAon9j6OlYLTrQv7D4dgmGVaNhBGuR0EZupnW0lMeAN31L30oVCx6fyhH-dKTNUjXdjt4g1wAxOrqwxeGEpM_L1chnUDeBorLTW6FOAlJ0jODsv/s320/Img_2584.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The pilgrimage route in the Kurusu Valley en route to Ookuboji.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt7bhuyCAOE-MjhojJcTZex50RoARwc9_3Q2tUJ_zGw9wXw1UQKyt9gvbFAjCag00F0w3M5JbWpdNiIHBk52rmR32-GLObtcX3fj4i1OewS9HtfTUXJaZO1aPg_bYHt04Lik1akrHe-zC/s1600/Img_2594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt7bhuyCAOE-MjhojJcTZex50RoARwc9_3Q2tUJ_zGw9wXw1UQKyt9gvbFAjCag00F0w3M5JbWpdNiIHBk52rmR32-GLObtcX3fj4i1OewS9HtfTUXJaZO1aPg_bYHt04Lik1akrHe-zC/s320/Img_2594.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Gentians blooming along the trail to Nyotai-san.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwynksSJ7K8qxv3QItq956gDoGxQqoGOxIWC-shRjnRWrsTxS_Dri_fhWNzBljMRi2VHubR1-LwzqMXenWf6gC9C73wgMrFrUgETkNmvWy0lU7lZtflKBSheu_WbSQq5TqvtWtp7O7kfiN/s1600/Img_2597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwynksSJ7K8qxv3QItq956gDoGxQqoGOxIWC-shRjnRWrsTxS_Dri_fhWNzBljMRi2VHubR1-LwzqMXenWf6gC9C73wgMrFrUgETkNmvWy0lU7lZtflKBSheu_WbSQq5TqvtWtp7O7kfiN/s320/Img_2597.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"This way to Ookuboji!" At stone marker (<i>hyoseki</i>) point the way up to the summit of Nyotai-san and Ookuboji (Temple 88).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSOD1Ly6_z5yh02dfpqGLakzb0oDHjG9Lsb0I6PxeiogkuLjeDay0DisOurHzUXtndxKkFN2TBcFndunW02k7tzTaHr1fJh_9DKxa-Q2NScySyOFfiDRc2HKrzdtGYDW_XxV4FSVfnBRJ/s1600/Img_2600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSOD1Ly6_z5yh02dfpqGLakzb0oDHjG9Lsb0I6PxeiogkuLjeDay0DisOurHzUXtndxKkFN2TBcFndunW02k7tzTaHr1fJh_9DKxa-Q2NScySyOFfiDRc2HKrzdtGYDW_XxV4FSVfnBRJ/s320/Img_2600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The trail ascending to the summit of Nyotai-san.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlZccwX37Li2vPyPOXFfJne9V1HvyGB3gIAPaHQebxR2G75ESNiJFyTa3U2lNrLSAKrdHueUoR1IUb5y2440XlHyT5QAkS7ic_EkMGXByMGNoTs5n9B-OspCfJBaKQ1sJ4m5hZAI1v3nb/s1600/Img_2603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlZccwX37Li2vPyPOXFfJne9V1HvyGB3gIAPaHQebxR2G75ESNiJFyTa3U2lNrLSAKrdHueUoR1IUb5y2440XlHyT5QAkS7ic_EkMGXByMGNoTs5n9B-OspCfJBaKQ1sJ4m5hZAI1v3nb/s320/Img_2603.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Violets blooming on a sunny slope below Nyotai-san.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjDmqRVBwosrcEm7IuJlOlnjH90LCM2LAuciF8z6ZVZjoy2eKmk2jLxtCpP9ZkrFSwu7rOhyphenhyphenVoigRF5lBk0m4IPqOhswg9-dSahxTJMkkKwoPLgKNeSyZ3Hdx4Al3kjdduRpL__KLCW6s/s1600/Img_2607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjDmqRVBwosrcEm7IuJlOlnjH90LCM2LAuciF8z6ZVZjoy2eKmk2jLxtCpP9ZkrFSwu7rOhyphenhyphenVoigRF5lBk0m4IPqOhswg9-dSahxTJMkkKwoPLgKNeSyZ3Hdx4Al3kjdduRpL__KLCW6s/s320/Img_2607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Almost there! The final pitch to the top of Nyotai-san. From there it will be virtually downhill all the way to Ookuboji.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHOGMLTeRH2fmegyVhRtRG9o8Wuk-RMflg6I666iIX0xTloXWYViBHQhwQ71uQJzm_jz3GPqlaAM-bziWQ-AJ85HsXZ6lDuqeZAsKlPJxnMO52IVS_9z63OZIbO3TWwLBjFQiXPBfu9VP/s1600/Img_2615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHOGMLTeRH2fmegyVhRtRG9o8Wuk-RMflg6I666iIX0xTloXWYViBHQhwQ71uQJzm_jz3GPqlaAM-bziWQ-AJ85HsXZ6lDuqeZAsKlPJxnMO52IVS_9z63OZIbO3TWwLBjFQiXPBfu9VP/s320/Img_2615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Descending from the summit of Nyotai-san. You can see the <i>henro </i>shelter on the summit of the peak in the right background.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg9P6Gj9gbYZ2FCmuV5oAIGtE93joEAq0k6STjmniipvFEjRDGXtE3PMX5olDS8aS2ePDLwAYL9LOy513_wwNpyB7lq6HiMTqSf2UZhs41fcNWZkij0VG90-5cweJ2LPXBMXVLQ-4YW-2/s1600/Img_2621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg9P6Gj9gbYZ2FCmuV5oAIGtE93joEAq0k6STjmniipvFEjRDGXtE3PMX5olDS8aS2ePDLwAYL9LOy513_wwNpyB7lq6HiMTqSf2UZhs41fcNWZkij0VG90-5cweJ2LPXBMXVLQ-4YW-2/s320/Img_2621.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A well-maintained, stepped path descends to Ookuboji from Nyotai-san.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN6nRU2V_-8T3Sc154OEddeisjT59iBs8t_lxATACqxOuF8BUcLmoaRbhTHaORFZ5F7aXu5ITtZJs97dPpYbakzRyU4sRe_-q8mzSjBNo785y33qbSUwbfBjRoVQ7duRs3KBcniCR2zRE/s1600/Img_2627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN6nRU2V_-8T3Sc154OEddeisjT59iBs8t_lxATACqxOuF8BUcLmoaRbhTHaORFZ5F7aXu5ITtZJs97dPpYbakzRyU4sRe_-q8mzSjBNo785y33qbSUwbfBjRoVQ7duRs3KBcniCR2zRE/s320/Img_2627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The <i>hondo </i>at Ookuboji. Temple 88! We made it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tBjKqFH5AJueiEMuE8T5nmPAADNfVVNsdQW1Lajy1VJqq9-jbtvRRpMznVtLgU1GMA2rrerLi8d4ypb-Wzx0RFy-PNuzJEppYljGgCHUuIVVGEtMGFVSEXP18S2gJ0tfa1ly2incxG1n/s1600/Img_2632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tBjKqFH5AJueiEMuE8T5nmPAADNfVVNsdQW1Lajy1VJqq9-jbtvRRpMznVtLgU1GMA2rrerLi8d4ypb-Wzx0RFy-PNuzJEppYljGgCHUuIVVGEtMGFVSEXP18S2gJ0tfa1ly2incxG1n/s320/Img_2632.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Statues at Ookuboji.<br />
<br />Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-73405373637611406792013-04-12T07:18:00.000-07:002013-04-12T07:18:10.258-07:00Day 8: Mountain Hiking Holidays Shikoku Pilgrimage Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQB_Wx4jJ495JSbWxZSuzPmWZlsKxzW39Bq4hPVfqchi9OLnNOnxysmmDDuFXYL7KJ-QZeNfcGvcoI4AunHvwNb_w9DumMbF04RRIrPxfGIssiSkw3G8Opc7aZnqKe9qvMaX1WJ9IEGub/s1600/Img_2518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQB_Wx4jJ495JSbWxZSuzPmWZlsKxzW39Bq4hPVfqchi9OLnNOnxysmmDDuFXYL7KJ-QZeNfcGvcoI4AunHvwNb_w9DumMbF04RRIrPxfGIssiSkw3G8Opc7aZnqKe9qvMaX1WJ9IEGub/s320/Img_2518.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A statue of the boddhisattva Jizo (<i>Jizo bosatsu</i>) marks the path to Yokomineji (Temple 60). Jizo is the guardian deity of children and travelers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LtwYIgjk6mSMliwi_2rzj6uIR2R4hvy0JKLyzAMC4KjTAOQ-L-skeaxixBLX6ACitJuxA11X9ccRKbBiWULd6hyphenhyphenOYV2wlEmXPsLZh_-ZmZmoR2PoYnd0Tn0dOxAZX80K3w74j3bLlNWr/s1600/Img_2543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LtwYIgjk6mSMliwi_2rzj6uIR2R4hvy0JKLyzAMC4KjTAOQ-L-skeaxixBLX6ACitJuxA11X9ccRKbBiWULd6hyphenhyphenOYV2wlEmXPsLZh_-ZmZmoR2PoYnd0Tn0dOxAZX80K3w74j3bLlNWr/s320/Img_2543.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The descent from Yokomineji en route to Temple 61 (Kouonji).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXA8jwsWC_nszj1jnAOYv7HUWoWe_VNcikF1Gja-YYiusDYuMmWudBcISTErVxkAR1qyGZUvf-9uWcFloOQBMCst-cogwzJnTzrGu77MSrdNAtCKOUhONg7eSGIOE0xw2AdUtIysGXw7y/s1600/Img_2547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXA8jwsWC_nszj1jnAOYv7HUWoWe_VNcikF1Gja-YYiusDYuMmWudBcISTErVxkAR1qyGZUvf-9uWcFloOQBMCst-cogwzJnTzrGu77MSrdNAtCKOUhONg7eSGIOE0xw2AdUtIysGXw7y/s320/Img_2547.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The steepest part of the descent from Yokomineji ends here. Notice the walking staffs that others have left leaning against the signpost.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQiWQNspUmWBRZbkg93fotbw8C30Zl6ZCg_tY5sDOFuAnORGxYUSv8apORD20eYTut4V3XnoelsvaZ-BacVCbZIXGWhEhJ4brFC7CCwKtovuk4GW2Q8JX2qlVHv56TNOFEClrn7CDvBeu/s1600/Img_2552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQiWQNspUmWBRZbkg93fotbw8C30Zl6ZCg_tY5sDOFuAnORGxYUSv8apORD20eYTut4V3XnoelsvaZ-BacVCbZIXGWhEhJ4brFC7CCwKtovuk4GW2Q8JX2qlVHv56TNOFEClrn7CDvBeu/s320/Img_2552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The stark, modern facade of the main building at Kouonji (Temple 61). This concrete and tile structure dates from the 1970s although the temple was founded in the 6th century.This modern building stands in marked contrast with the <i>hondo </i>we have seen at other temples.Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-9428431040582490712013-04-11T08:00:00.001-07:002013-04-11T08:04:04.108-07:00Day 7: Mountain Hiking Holidays Shikoku PIlgrimage Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdyFpUkvBgxHtixmgTutGaL7Iga5sx-52JBdPGUPV_U4D-Ief6JlNuZpvNKmtcwYcTObthAt_hT_DvSmH6YtfaTkKaTW-QHFkpElaNRMI_dKEg_VuIOAgvWrKKj_MxZu23s6MCzidDOMF/s1600/Img_2348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdyFpUkvBgxHtixmgTutGaL7Iga5sx-52JBdPGUPV_U4D-Ief6JlNuZpvNKmtcwYcTObthAt_hT_DvSmH6YtfaTkKaTW-QHFkpElaNRMI_dKEg_VuIOAgvWrKKj_MxZu23s6MCzidDOMF/s320/Img_2348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Before setting off on our hike from Temple 44 (Daihoji) to Temple 45 (Iwayaji) today, we stopped for a visit at Ishiteji (Temple 51) since some of the group didn't have a chance to visit it yesterday. Here is part of our group at Ishiteji's main hall (<i>hondo</i>).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzY3OUi4EYCpRhOsdAlk2mZQNex457o5e74V-sru0K48oYgy6ad0iAtKQOJlZZUBOD0rkoQE4nY5-xiuJVhP0zaQO4AOI2n4MxVENfvIimPSKpaI1xBPI83qoXg-khZKRg_l1VXDDOZjM/s1600/Img_2382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzY3OUi4EYCpRhOsdAlk2mZQNex457o5e74V-sru0K48oYgy6ad0iAtKQOJlZZUBOD0rkoQE4nY5-xiuJVhP0zaQO4AOI2n4MxVENfvIimPSKpaI1xBPI83qoXg-khZKRg_l1VXDDOZjM/s320/Img_2382.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After our visit to Ishiteji, we drove to the Kuma Kogen ("Bear Plateau") area south and east of Matsuyama. We started our day's hike at this beautiful forest temple called Daihoji (Temple 44). It was lightly raining for most of the day, but the mist and drizzle added a lot of atmosphere to the walk.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUrDGYL3GPXbhPOZcDwFxMF97Gs-MNZZj5Ce_Yvb3FcPsQxUffRF8lQww1WlRvio2DppVkqG1E3eAeC5OhtU1BdTi1Db0pxb9oiJ7kWNpTiona8cX_ALd-m8nRtbeUBqRSkvtpjSMw_U2/s1600/Img_2404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUrDGYL3GPXbhPOZcDwFxMF97Gs-MNZZj5Ce_Yvb3FcPsQxUffRF8lQww1WlRvio2DppVkqG1E3eAeC5OhtU1BdTi1Db0pxb9oiJ7kWNpTiona8cX_ALd-m8nRtbeUBqRSkvtpjSMw_U2/s320/Img_2404.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="text-align: center;">From Daihoji, the route led us over a forested ridge before dropping to a small village in the Kuma Kogen where we stopped for lunch (out of the drizzle) in this thoughtfully placed <i>henro </i>shelter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95Av4sXIizDObZaWY9CCg3o11ozM7oziErwsN_vx8nI58sS0rjLVp6cKSaD2neTVvGVxjJe0t6e-H8Xu_zY_LW56MyjPtGXB6Sm_0-aBtL60JncLopxvV94MTmygHRyTygmBu-ONkdo7h/s1600/Img_2423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95Av4sXIizDObZaWY9CCg3o11ozM7oziErwsN_vx8nI58sS0rjLVp6cKSaD2neTVvGVxjJe0t6e-H8Xu_zY_LW56MyjPtGXB6Sm_0-aBtL60JncLopxvV94MTmygHRyTygmBu-ONkdo7h/s320/Img_2423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A soft, leaf-cushioned path leads through stately woods of Japanese cedars en route from Daihoji to Temple 45 (Iwayaji).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx5eD5SQBT8YK0iCnCLMyNTR0JsqJIR0O_y_5FWgMhPM2o2Vb9YRkKX1pZjufTjzVfyGopjzGLgFQd4TwNZ0IDh-Pd2z85TIU9qrMD3VLCHYckWplotKS6sV66jrQMeTNvd-XKYJ30ouX/s1600/Img_2446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx5eD5SQBT8YK0iCnCLMyNTR0JsqJIR0O_y_5FWgMhPM2o2Vb9YRkKX1pZjufTjzVfyGopjzGLgFQd4TwNZ0IDh-Pd2z85TIU9qrMD3VLCHYckWplotKS6sV66jrQMeTNvd-XKYJ30ouX/s320/Img_2446.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A section of the <i>henro </i>trail between Daihoji and Iwayaji passes through misty woods.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZHSQjTc0EXq-w_-IvvYEnxCPo7EDAf_6IGGDbgLd2PrPorJDF8Bd1x70wta5_SLxgnNlkpMOhN-eZ_MFqc3rfGGtdEnjIH4F-frM0E4nikwIKrXZPGeZzShHJlQuc20fd1HNyUhazg5a/s1600/Img_2451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZHSQjTc0EXq-w_-IvvYEnxCPo7EDAf_6IGGDbgLd2PrPorJDF8Bd1x70wta5_SLxgnNlkpMOhN-eZ_MFqc3rfGGtdEnjIH4F-frM0E4nikwIKrXZPGeZzShHJlQuc20fd1HNyUhazg5a/s320/Img_2451.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A particularly lovely stretch of trail atop the forested ridge-top between Daihoji and Iwayaji.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_JitmBhmIGb8rHJySUXADfMXwyRixD58zkuPuipzrx6gPiJgZWtW8Z7jg3KglkhCCf3o-uiz5atRh281zWtJd9nZOqShCM3Y5M6uFEurFiQ3sNujHnG81HUpWflDVo3gn2Yn6uMoDcVM/s1600/Img_2428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_JitmBhmIGb8rHJySUXADfMXwyRixD58zkuPuipzrx6gPiJgZWtW8Z7jg3KglkhCCf3o-uiz5atRh281zWtJd9nZOqShCM3Y5M6uFEurFiQ3sNujHnG81HUpWflDVo3gn2Yn6uMoDcVM/s320/Img_2428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This sign reminds walkers to persevere. <i>Ganbatte!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiP3SYdqcNdT3phZzkfOIc5b8QYh-onErJJrgv1zLDMd_IuuX3NZtR_3i0yyWL5_ZWYIX2CrB1gbQR468p-Kk-MCZNn5ptmfjlt54rU2fyME5CrZZW1kE3krA8DPZT3hT3TWRZI0wHtoDw/s1600/Img_2475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiP3SYdqcNdT3phZzkfOIc5b8QYh-onErJJrgv1zLDMd_IuuX3NZtR_3i0yyWL5_ZWYIX2CrB1gbQR468p-Kk-MCZNn5ptmfjlt54rU2fyME5CrZZW1kE3krA8DPZT3hT3TWRZI0wHtoDw/s320/Img_2475.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Giant Japanese cedars in the woods just before reaching Temple 45 (Iwayaji). You could almost sense the presence of the old forest <i>kami </i>(gods). Miyazaki's film <i>Spirited Away</i> came to mind...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPMef2KrXkm8Rc-FmEjHE9XYe_s0raSLIhoc9OvlQIEww8Lg5a0DJIwqVaFv85feGsGzkzKrofQJOvwiPLZvn4A6g2SCcIYbmGKNpLk6_Hg8iAp5a-wh07tz-dZLQVfmH0_1ksaM_AW9f/s1600/Img_2488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPMef2KrXkm8Rc-FmEjHE9XYe_s0raSLIhoc9OvlQIEww8Lg5a0DJIwqVaFv85feGsGzkzKrofQJOvwiPLZvn4A6g2SCcIYbmGKNpLk6_Hg8iAp5a-wh07tz-dZLQVfmH0_1ksaM_AW9f/s320/Img_2488.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Suddenly, the temple gate for Iwayaji appears!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2RyYvPp_z3gOoJPMe4RbbuUS6tzSKESo44gDGH6jtmpmn2tkGc9lrP5_LnhoBf3VQVXipsAzTJOa37mtjeQr6FbG_NiUeBrBtCuU-qZbhwbLrIe2Q6sbrwz9IliIWlit5J8H3OGCaQmF/s1600/Img_2491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2RyYvPp_z3gOoJPMe4RbbuUS6tzSKESo44gDGH6jtmpmn2tkGc9lrP5_LnhoBf3VQVXipsAzTJOa37mtjeQr6FbG_NiUeBrBtCuU-qZbhwbLrIe2Q6sbrwz9IliIWlit5J8H3OGCaQmF/s320/Img_2491.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The <i>hondo </i>(main hall) at Iwayaji is built against a towering cliff face.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPm5wefMb7OZqKq8Z2Kj85yMqxavD2ExRX_UxwIR_Pw2fLpOVgsrjovszfDgUqZoCCBg_Sz7WQm4M0OZFazLJaNxId65SMwoiYv0jN_U0PIO_X80NC21FqBLp8qOO9_y7iWIY-dyBc7jI/s1600/Img_2500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPm5wefMb7OZqKq8Z2Kj85yMqxavD2ExRX_UxwIR_Pw2fLpOVgsrjovszfDgUqZoCCBg_Sz7WQm4M0OZFazLJaNxId65SMwoiYv0jN_U0PIO_X80NC21FqBLp8qOO9_y7iWIY-dyBc7jI/s320/Img_2500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Moss-covered statues at Iwayaji.<br />
<br />Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-43047462057232692332013-04-10T08:02:00.002-07:002013-04-10T08:02:39.169-07:00Day 6: Mountain Hiking Holidays Shikoku Pilgrimage Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b3GuKk3wfQ14WVnsVKrCNRR8wHXAip0nI_wrVsQi4cPTp9fNTzlCC5oSsGyR2TnB-M-HBe_j42kywxLGKIEpJA4YDGuDvR1OohoLvnyg1pa32mv-Kak2IGdeQliWjCiNQ4ZazUDx5WU4/s1600/Img_2272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b3GuKk3wfQ14WVnsVKrCNRR8wHXAip0nI_wrVsQi4cPTp9fNTzlCC5oSsGyR2TnB-M-HBe_j42kywxLGKIEpJA4YDGuDvR1OohoLvnyg1pa32mv-Kak2IGdeQliWjCiNQ4ZazUDx5WU4/s320/Img_2272.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Today, we hiked from Temple 46 (Joruriji) in the south of Matsuyama City to Temple 51 (Ishiteji).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZ9EeT90btA-BP45rWhjffg9VTgJ5nVsHD-Q2jkUmPrFRn8asm2N5wUAu0ZG8aVC4kOSbTfoc5fO6mYcfsOmPn3-3OaHe2hLFaQR506SK-306aj8qu9ur1-LyOvI41Wx_A9-mO9BWh4N6/s1600/Img_2279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZ9EeT90btA-BP45rWhjffg9VTgJ5nVsHD-Q2jkUmPrFRn8asm2N5wUAu0ZG8aVC4kOSbTfoc5fO6mYcfsOmPn3-3OaHe2hLFaQR506SK-306aj8qu9ur1-LyOvI41Wx_A9-mO9BWh4N6/s320/Img_2279.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The group hiking through the rural landscapes between Joruriji (Temple 46) and Yasakaji (Temple 47).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_CorZmNb9ctyHRTn8lPKEAS6AxMVCEumFNS05ry8iqQfE5HYC5h8pMEg9kXIK3o6_pWCxuiwHcXgHb2Ibcm2fMzP19oDbNp1CBDBXL26NKjV7alzQbjZ2t0a190yWnYn2251PE9Lso5W/s1600/Img_2296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_CorZmNb9ctyHRTn8lPKEAS6AxMVCEumFNS05ry8iqQfE5HYC5h8pMEg9kXIK3o6_pWCxuiwHcXgHb2Ibcm2fMzP19oDbNp1CBDBXL26NKjV7alzQbjZ2t0a190yWnYn2251PE9Lso5W/s320/Img_2296.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At Temple 47 (Yasakaji).<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxCqa_oGqhtEeBDYPfjB1Cr6prdNQUQYGy2tySdZebawAjSkCYq9ZHeKl5O5hkRn7ZkItk9SLiBBXbDACcGUocHbviMP2HMpaw_OBuDIi_pQaT7GV4OK_fkEVoJ3CQjXILwLvFkQ3-bWu/s1600/Img_2300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxCqa_oGqhtEeBDYPfjB1Cr6prdNQUQYGy2tySdZebawAjSkCYq9ZHeKl5O5hkRn7ZkItk9SLiBBXbDACcGUocHbviMP2HMpaw_OBuDIi_pQaT7GV4OK_fkEVoJ3CQjXILwLvFkQ3-bWu/s320/Img_2300.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<i>Henro </i>John at the main gate of Yasakaji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2vNCuTMw_7hyphenhyphenolmPvCMUIMxNBKeEGSvpbrZ0rOGVThQ9QtXinlSgEy4EuoI0Uy4r87iiPqXJY7qCuIrYkmdNsq_QTfMA6wT2Qqc8Rbw8xx_lhPgagnubauWKXj7sVPRbF5pUHN3t-OmW/s1600/Img_2309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2vNCuTMw_7hyphenhyphenolmPvCMUIMxNBKeEGSvpbrZ0rOGVThQ9QtXinlSgEy4EuoI0Uy4r87iiPqXJY7qCuIrYkmdNsq_QTfMA6wT2Qqc8Rbw8xx_lhPgagnubauWKXj7sVPRbF5pUHN3t-OmW/s320/Img_2309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our group arrives at Monjuin temple (also known as Tokuseiji), one of the twenty numbered <i>bangai </i>temples. The <i>bangai </i>are sacred temples that are not officially part of the 88 temple pilgrimage route. (Monjuin is <i>bangai </i>#9.) It is said that Monjuin is at or near the site where the merchant Emon Saburo refused to give alms to a monk whom he later realized was Kukai (Kobo Daishi). Following the deaths of his eight sons, Emon Saburo set off on foot circling Shikoku several times in search of Kukai in order to ask forgiveness for refusing to give alms. This is one of the stories that explains the origins of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0THKGZiwgpP93WzFE_1Zh5KsSh6bDCWd7VV7jDcTCGZicuQUktyvo0M-uhVt0q45hiUxE51vBmFTuSWfdZIqKi44W4BOoUgOLT6G-HQwz-zuqVPTtXMBHJoTbYDk_ulRcFENXVVgIdpdZ/s1600/Img_2314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0THKGZiwgpP93WzFE_1Zh5KsSh6bDCWd7VV7jDcTCGZicuQUktyvo0M-uhVt0q45hiUxE51vBmFTuSWfdZIqKi44W4BOoUgOLT6G-HQwz-zuqVPTtXMBHJoTbYDk_ulRcFENXVVgIdpdZ/s320/Img_2314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The main gate at Temple 48 (Sairinji).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLFl32ZMWe5L6jw1QHUFOJYOHV6laRrAb-Rifuhrr2vkdKEDoHfCbKzpy2gfxRZSc5JhgQJHahyworTWX0NrMOrigfKKts-xdMHOF5oaJVWw-OaJidJIiQjY7tBQsEa1TrQTg6ss7A24P/s1600/Img_2315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLFl32ZMWe5L6jw1QHUFOJYOHV6laRrAb-Rifuhrr2vkdKEDoHfCbKzpy2gfxRZSc5JhgQJHahyworTWX0NrMOrigfKKts-xdMHOF5oaJVWw-OaJidJIiQjY7tBQsEa1TrQTg6ss7A24P/s320/Img_2315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The main hall (<i>hondo</i>) of Temple 49 (Jodoji) seen through the main gate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UkhaOsfAaeUShgo2qxBS83tUnRRsHiayJxhl1noc1777H4B4kFTeYlzhgwG8coSVhGXcRlJzNEuE4ePqhszgckKHqO6h7soQcsPTld4VwDmM5hxlkwiLftZWwRefKoxxjN5oK755lgLH/s1600/Img_2319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UkhaOsfAaeUShgo2qxBS83tUnRRsHiayJxhl1noc1777H4B4kFTeYlzhgwG8coSVhGXcRlJzNEuE4ePqhszgckKHqO6h7soQcsPTld4VwDmM5hxlkwiLftZWwRefKoxxjN5oK755lgLH/s320/Img_2319.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Lovely Hantaji (Temple 50) in later afternoon light.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUVjg-4DtMoYAkYI2gOnrfrHtT8qAMbZy6xDkdfoJxaJGJq53Xy17S9eV22BdIP8TI5tip6PmINxADBCZrtHepNiplKnTuGhUeussAZjz45QC1N3xuX45N2-ih7EkzBKoAd2vGOUlPF9S/s1600/Img_2343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUVjg-4DtMoYAkYI2gOnrfrHtT8qAMbZy6xDkdfoJxaJGJq53Xy17S9eV22BdIP8TI5tip6PmINxADBCZrtHepNiplKnTuGhUeussAZjz45QC1N3xuX45N2-ih7EkzBKoAd2vGOUlPF9S/s320/Img_2343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Pagoda the Temple 51 (Ishiteji), the "Stone Hand Temple."Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-85698889986910714902013-04-09T06:30:00.000-07:002013-04-09T06:32:45.672-07:00Day 5: Mountain Hiking Holidays Shikoku Pilgrimage Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVntKhD0BttKCb_wy8aLlmjy-trOfCAFgTQ0nmZcDUo9tr1ljOiAub0qFR2iUDx7Z-_PkW-NqxR6QkAQNUQb1pSNjjpKpjVXHNNBUB0zPSRG9p6jv8D-VpyGqRxrMjhiVFvbOjM5_SofxW/s1600/Img_2040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVntKhD0BttKCb_wy8aLlmjy-trOfCAFgTQ0nmZcDUo9tr1ljOiAub0qFR2iUDx7Z-_PkW-NqxR6QkAQNUQb1pSNjjpKpjVXHNNBUB0zPSRG9p6jv8D-VpyGqRxrMjhiVFvbOjM5_SofxW/s320/Img_2040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Today we left the official 88 Temple Pilgrimage route for a hike in the mountains of the Tsurugi-san Quasi National Park in central Shikoku. Our hike started at this Shinto shrine at Minokoshi Pass.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkLZefWadc7tinX_HX-od2JrpXceVJDh-ibNDBcos6zoTYXdMncOzwbDitbOdiGk484FduL5tuAO0PYBLuVrEUvRCYfceILBrrpVThxCY_mNXBeRHBkv5WQtY9oF3OmoTyPJsKe2GBnoC/s1600/Img_2061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkLZefWadc7tinX_HX-od2JrpXceVJDh-ibNDBcos6zoTYXdMncOzwbDitbOdiGk484FduL5tuAO0PYBLuVrEUvRCYfceILBrrpVThxCY_mNXBeRHBkv5WQtY9oF3OmoTyPJsKe2GBnoC/s320/Img_2061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The trail ascended steadily toward the summit of Tsurugi-san. The snow-flecked peak of Miune is in the left background.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0C8CXhU0r28CmDNqnY1xwZ05nAKSO7EPlR5hzQiyo4hdSasTn2r7M0WleljT3yCTN67XtCpASB4j5TgP_wyPfnuvsPRba6WgLqy4f4UsCceUvvBW5rsAZruqKuDh3jDoqgEUrCYYPQ3j/s1600/Img_2072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0C8CXhU0r28CmDNqnY1xwZ05nAKSO7EPlR5hzQiyo4hdSasTn2r7M0WleljT3yCTN67XtCpASB4j5TgP_wyPfnuvsPRba6WgLqy4f4UsCceUvvBW5rsAZruqKuDh3jDoqgEUrCYYPQ3j/s320/Img_2072.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Approaching the summit of Tsurugi-san.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMSobvyFhEMY7SqYKiYwD4IeJH4O9mTaWHYnDbZH3yE2Ej5yebywqoRf2ZXcgA-HgRjTFVl5Cq5WVmecGwMAnnLrvYHTy022TTVLwvpcLU2d2mu94keqYCKM96IKoGAvl4t9mL7pfQeAs/s1600/Img_2086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMSobvyFhEMY7SqYKiYwD4IeJH4O9mTaWHYnDbZH3yE2Ej5yebywqoRf2ZXcgA-HgRjTFVl5Cq5WVmecGwMAnnLrvYHTy022TTVLwvpcLU2d2mu94keqYCKM96IKoGAvl4t9mL7pfQeAs/s320/Img_2086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This <i>torii </i>marks the final set of steps to the summit area.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUUYR6-arPqgTCE_FIBnNzyjDmLZRXgh7GDpuHbluw4dmb7mCoisWDdUwo6DBVLnMkcXIa9aBfhue61w3Aeo5UQogDPvsysRoLHOZg_t1veYUzjc759-cpN3aQj4qPEYLzgRGM4zEyS1H/s1600/Img_2095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUUYR6-arPqgTCE_FIBnNzyjDmLZRXgh7GDpuHbluw4dmb7mCoisWDdUwo6DBVLnMkcXIa9aBfhue61w3Aeo5UQogDPvsysRoLHOZg_t1veYUzjc759-cpN3aQj4qPEYLzgRGM4zEyS1H/s320/Img_2095.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The view from the summit of Tsurugi-san looking toward the east.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGH4giZsJtj0mXusVQzYSysvVq8MAAR7nIPk0ItiGRZEZ4UGWT2NODLUtH5FN7DHNH-xTuI-ckz8ILMqeAmDnvwj1bQQ-P80aKL8U185AlDA2KHhE7nXmd39vD2vjJTkTdLOh7db4rVmv/s1600/Img_2102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGH4giZsJtj0mXusVQzYSysvVq8MAAR7nIPk0ItiGRZEZ4UGWT2NODLUtH5FN7DHNH-xTuI-ckz8ILMqeAmDnvwj1bQQ-P80aKL8U185AlDA2KHhE7nXmd39vD2vjJTkTdLOh7db4rVmv/s320/Img_2102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A series of wooden "terraces" wind across the broad summit area of Tsurugi-san. A sunny, cool and beautiful day...perfect!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dBMKrd8kmnfeYW2T4HXCHTvYFIDjLJkeyX-wkx68IbdLeEU7l-jOml5SdSFr9yZDBpZ4z6cRv6oJXDIA71YEoiCyBGSwR4QfYkm5_qgXpA0HcpcnRb-uHEZruzfiqUq0_bBVr1vRAh2h/s1600/Img_2108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dBMKrd8kmnfeYW2T4HXCHTvYFIDjLJkeyX-wkx68IbdLeEU7l-jOml5SdSFr9yZDBpZ4z6cRv6oJXDIA71YEoiCyBGSwR4QfYkm5_qgXpA0HcpcnRb-uHEZruzfiqUq0_bBVr1vRAh2h/s320/Img_2108.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From the summit of Tsurugi-san looking toward the west. The peak on the left is called Jirogyu.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ekLjg0JvZYT_mExm5FQ8_H_luJWS7bG_-or6OSKpLNFJP0Q54qHd0nXUPo5hcKjv5oeh4BUENM8GM3q527xyvBxPhyphenhyphenk6MV_Knkh6SFU7VUKbNBoKxqUeI8eCnEwM49frfsrbNC6Iy8yj/s1600/Img_2113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ekLjg0JvZYT_mExm5FQ8_H_luJWS7bG_-or6OSKpLNFJP0Q54qHd0nXUPo5hcKjv5oeh4BUENM8GM3q527xyvBxPhyphenhyphenk6MV_Knkh6SFU7VUKbNBoKxqUeI8eCnEwM49frfsrbNC6Iy8yj/s320/Img_2113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Beginning the descent from Tsurugi-san along the ridge-top trail that leads to the neighboring peak of Jirogyu (at the left in this photo).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhScfXSVrlbZrgMuNfOaFncmtyiqDuQkXLyOV2meu2MDS971j8ot3uHSHwyPAG594sGNJLsyOA1NJEqUcAfuf2IVb-e3ZhscU2ZpA3nusoURVCYo4cWxO4r8lP85ypUFszjJtmyf6zQFg/s1600/Img_2131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhScfXSVrlbZrgMuNfOaFncmtyiqDuQkXLyOV2meu2MDS971j8ot3uHSHwyPAG594sGNJLsyOA1NJEqUcAfuf2IVb-e3ZhscU2ZpA3nusoURVCYo4cWxO4r8lP85ypUFszjJtmyf6zQFg/s320/Img_2131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The trail from Tsurugi-san to Jirogyu.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1f-3SMr5kT_RosdHMGi-MJWP2siZ7jKZpY_pWwO9ZpyNby3B7VvbheTtDRAsXj8xb4lK9-1_7D5Ooblzzz29KPKUJt_NwppMvNdsZWEn8KkEDrLKuYVrPKYMLw6oO5Wz0JpDRik9Fa-LZ/s1600/Img_2141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1f-3SMr5kT_RosdHMGi-MJWP2siZ7jKZpY_pWwO9ZpyNby3B7VvbheTtDRAsXj8xb4lK9-1_7D5Ooblzzz29KPKUJt_NwppMvNdsZWEn8KkEDrLKuYVrPKYMLw6oO5Wz0JpDRik9Fa-LZ/s320/Img_2141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The joy of the mountains on the trail between Tsurugi-san and Jirogyu.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61_l6r62hVSsEST7c5Ui39PxEJtrkiV6VP3sh9S3IrGr_vN7_t5sOoqAPsrKNvy0NccWLDOk_2mxqaKpwn-RK4kSeH-J5bG9WPrsGxVGHydPJduCbG1Her9dnCPeD9WeCc8xICxMpm0FC/s1600/Img_2173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61_l6r62hVSsEST7c5Ui39PxEJtrkiV6VP3sh9S3IrGr_vN7_t5sOoqAPsrKNvy0NccWLDOk_2mxqaKpwn-RK4kSeH-J5bG9WPrsGxVGHydPJduCbG1Her9dnCPeD9WeCc8xICxMpm0FC/s320/Img_2173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Contemplating the view from Jirogyu. We met no other hikers today once we left the summit of Tsurugi-san! Solitude in the mountains of Shikoku!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbHxzaIAgSUbg3B1q28HDCwmEzx5MpNmEdIiwq2uQXnFiFHMRayFGoOEqqmtFLQt3JcCU4ZGE_ySIcZCkHTBphNbjR6_LjFFxpx6ue-rzyFmOCaamq-COhaJ791gZ83Q5lh_hIi0UoNjE/s1600/Img_2181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbHxzaIAgSUbg3B1q28HDCwmEzx5MpNmEdIiwq2uQXnFiFHMRayFGoOEqqmtFLQt3JcCU4ZGE_ySIcZCkHTBphNbjR6_LjFFxpx6ue-rzyFmOCaamq-COhaJ791gZ83Q5lh_hIi0UoNjE/s320/Img_2181.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Following the ridge-top trail as it descends from the summit of Jirogyu.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsm76tpDNtxFZ8oZ24lW3IVqMKSgIVhZPxgh4FJffj4XNK2mGUuO3lCwinVmmhyTQcrDb4z_lY26Q4_W1OFPgx4fzcsdVq_iZxFeOwJ-WSiFJU3r_SzdWUBgSiW2X5P8T7TRoG44GFrsMm/s1600/Img_2188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsm76tpDNtxFZ8oZ24lW3IVqMKSgIVhZPxgh4FJffj4XNK2mGUuO3lCwinVmmhyTQcrDb4z_lY26Q4_W1OFPgx4fzcsdVq_iZxFeOwJ-WSiFJU3r_SzdWUBgSiW2X5P8T7TRoG44GFrsMm/s320/Img_2188.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our group descending from Jirogyu.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7UHzmUrJudPDk9GsCff3_hunxDK6pTBOucFSuRzLjbsisQcwM6tDvMN1lsTTOMpD02NNL-4fe1Q3xVc0mUDzDHYFIgdei_vhknnP1vRq2zfaTOT4wbE97uJz8Q4LXE52ZueBJhr_UMPd/s1600/Img_2217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7UHzmUrJudPDk9GsCff3_hunxDK6pTBOucFSuRzLjbsisQcwM6tDvMN1lsTTOMpD02NNL-4fe1Q3xVc0mUDzDHYFIgdei_vhknnP1vRq2zfaTOT4wbE97uJz8Q4LXE52ZueBJhr_UMPd/s320/Img_2217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The trail between Jirogyu and the peak of Maruishi.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOien-S3CIvd1YWK1QupDNZxUe_1y4gUaA7-GAvTTliTOQYFaAl0u2cNuPfrFOcsQdh05bMt1pkyRMfDip4RRoy8cDxUPm25qmbNO3wo0Zr9-NlsSvoAYQDJcPQS6n6ieKXFA0qON7S03/s1600/Img_2224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOien-S3CIvd1YWK1QupDNZxUe_1y4gUaA7-GAvTTliTOQYFaAl0u2cNuPfrFOcsQdh05bMt1pkyRMfDip4RRoy8cDxUPm25qmbNO3wo0Zr9-NlsSvoAYQDJcPQS6n6ieKXFA0qON7S03/s320/Img_2224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The trail leading through a field of dwarf bamboo toward Maruishi (the small peak to the left in this photo).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5dCQ2vufhnKthnuASBcw5h59mM7AbvERMXvOIc4dStwKM7Kk44IFsssGSAwDtTiHNBEwSKaIu0Hb8AtjGzmlDNS6yLsgopqqOeacdXM86EjEoul2d6ycyVKFSo9Zi2H3LVDiesBPGP91/s1600/Img_2247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5dCQ2vufhnKthnuASBcw5h59mM7AbvERMXvOIc4dStwKM7Kk44IFsssGSAwDtTiHNBEwSKaIu0Hb8AtjGzmlDNS6yLsgopqqOeacdXM86EjEoul2d6ycyVKFSo9Zi2H3LVDiesBPGP91/s320/Img_2247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
From Maruishi peak, a long descent through the woods brought us eventually to the double vine bridges Okuiya Nijyu Kazurabashi. One of the bridges is considereg "male" and the other "female." This is the "female" bridge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs5WbsUKko1CVJNTKTVYaQt9erPlW5bPTjQv2vDvV7JLeFUB-vUDJhdqV7PzWjzOuVz934fXbYXU_RtC29B5a0ToPzjIAQGw1_ifEpSYbi9qR259eZcqZDM6QQqclUNjydY2R31DQgTFB/s1600/Img_2251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs5WbsUKko1CVJNTKTVYaQt9erPlW5bPTjQv2vDvV7JLeFUB-vUDJhdqV7PzWjzOuVz934fXbYXU_RtC29B5a0ToPzjIAQGw1_ifEpSYbi9qR259eZcqZDM6QQqclUNjydY2R31DQgTFB/s320/Img_2251.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Vicki and Gail crossing the "male" bridge at Okuiya Nijyu Kazurabashi.Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-17841739467519849462013-04-08T07:25:00.002-07:002013-04-08T07:25:16.084-07:00Day 4: Mountain Hiking Holidays Shikoku Pilgrimage Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrjlpB7A5H63zysgxMBiwmqpgE8scr6FF9_u11lJCsuRv9NcHWYUBrEX_0FJagUIPgb5s6pjHWTUspx2BvHuZ4L8ZzCssydFe0D5tkPEBxUBT_Wxcnr3hG7baYSwFewOFNqkJb-7iOT0w/s1600/Img_1884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrjlpB7A5H63zysgxMBiwmqpgE8scr6FF9_u11lJCsuRv9NcHWYUBrEX_0FJagUIPgb5s6pjHWTUspx2BvHuZ4L8ZzCssydFe0D5tkPEBxUBT_Wxcnr3hG7baYSwFewOFNqkJb-7iOT0w/s320/Img_1884.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Splendid morning at the Utoco Resort and Spa. This is the sun-soaked terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean outside the hotel restaurant. This morning we hiked from the Utoco Resort to Hotsumisakiji (Temple 24) atop Cape Muroto.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpeLx-0KK0N80QRQO3m7SDQgAJo_JgS3NYEQQDYQuXzKijkiXYO9m6Ek8lSS71VbUjNcfSUfFoQpCBDDva7fSruK5zpIvDMp6i5XamAcMCjGJnARfkJeHFIlH4Hf-C1sf3NLNR26GVVt4/s1600/Img_1899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpeLx-0KK0N80QRQO3m7SDQgAJo_JgS3NYEQQDYQuXzKijkiXYO9m6Ek8lSS71VbUjNcfSUfFoQpCBDDva7fSruK5zpIvDMp6i5XamAcMCjGJnARfkJeHFIlH4Hf-C1sf3NLNR26GVVt4/s320/Img_1899.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="text-align: center;">The seaside trail through the Muroto Geopark en route to Hotsumisakiji. The rock is known as <i>Eboshi iwa</i> ("Hat Rock").</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKgDQB-j9Tt2fC9Do7YbhydRnyb5Zn-HdZiO6ijutMw_zLZYQOlZts0bB-bf9IcOYS6UscvwGiZAnj4teN-_7PY3a1kFpf1IklUG6CLJh_oF_1ej7yHatvIsM4ITxRNBGqGDcysQMwwbt/s1600/Img_1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKgDQB-j9Tt2fC9Do7YbhydRnyb5Zn-HdZiO6ijutMw_zLZYQOlZts0bB-bf9IcOYS6UscvwGiZAnj4teN-_7PY3a1kFpf1IklUG6CLJh_oF_1ej7yHatvIsM4ITxRNBGqGDcysQMwwbt/s320/Img_1916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In the Hotsumisakiji temple compound looking toward the main hall (<i>hondo</i>).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8tQxs2htnokw2EqqlIiF2o1iBr-MzideBUlakVDLaDkDB94EejUcvnA8-LEjk4nT7PoRHizBFuc5YAGRDI-4gfUxiBGFvEiTzsEQm6gHtwAQL-ZZeaEgHHViAxbqxoJJa5r67xSDq6Ly/s1600/Img_1919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8tQxs2htnokw2EqqlIiF2o1iBr-MzideBUlakVDLaDkDB94EejUcvnA8-LEjk4nT7PoRHizBFuc5YAGRDI-4gfUxiBGFvEiTzsEQm6gHtwAQL-ZZeaEgHHViAxbqxoJJa5r67xSDq6Ly/s320/Img_1919.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Henro </i>Jane testing the "bell stone" at Hotsumisakiji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFv6jTyyD_qVjl-gkLVq0azbsmqlk1rZ8w2RDKR9OMmjE1gaecrPCPW1-SqyGyWPzHl5klf3b4XjpxfkRfLPa6zBpTF1MFyFQmLsTdBC3SsIBFHRSgHmRnAH9V6flqfZ-59zOhz8wEesp/s1600/Img_1931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFv6jTyyD_qVjl-gkLVq0azbsmqlk1rZ8w2RDKR9OMmjE1gaecrPCPW1-SqyGyWPzHl5klf3b4XjpxfkRfLPa6zBpTF1MFyFQmLsTdBC3SsIBFHRSgHmRnAH9V6flqfZ-59zOhz8wEesp/s320/Img_1931.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Looking north up the Shikoku coast from Cape Muroto. From here, we drove 45 minutes north to Yasuda town where we began our hike up to Konomineji (Temple 27).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-_GWg41Qw9S473S0H7Kocj5XomBVocoLmwuHGFFxILelZ-W62wOdBTWJ7098-mEwYzdscMKbATEj2M2ELF_afsnu3_wJz0Trx0UZt8VehB5_cWrC0KWtD_dtqZkyN6-b8yiPHsTpCcXE/s1600/Img_1945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-_GWg41Qw9S473S0H7Kocj5XomBVocoLmwuHGFFxILelZ-W62wOdBTWJ7098-mEwYzdscMKbATEj2M2ELF_afsnu3_wJz0Trx0UZt8VehB5_cWrC0KWtD_dtqZkyN6-b8yiPHsTpCcXE/s320/Img_1945.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Azaleas in full bloom along the path (<i>Shikoku no michi</i>) to Konomineji<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCzIzCX-RO920GeME0HP1B46c9PuBoRUpOKjaPoLkU9Q8luCGlApEFHmYgzGCvMYTLLg8RUgi5pePiAlsNSw6cS_KbG_kyVlxyEUbLzqVHRMf248tWGUSPCSY7Cld969CCZ0BOevKQ40a/s1600/Img_1948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCzIzCX-RO920GeME0HP1B46c9PuBoRUpOKjaPoLkU9Q8luCGlApEFHmYgzGCvMYTLLg8RUgi5pePiAlsNSw6cS_KbG_kyVlxyEUbLzqVHRMf248tWGUSPCSY7Cld969CCZ0BOevKQ40a/s320/Img_1948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On the Shikoku no michi en route to Konomineji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHohCTYG-O1AsmcF65Z4bYLCatOyjVHMMM8-3m67xHGoo144cI5JtgQxTGHlGVtI48iWk1RPLsQ-n-qqgaQdVMytmPv1fI4Bp7LmpOAM5dBko4zx95Bo8_xGjh6h8yTmZx9mvs_IHEWgfi/s1600/Img_1964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHohCTYG-O1AsmcF65Z4bYLCatOyjVHMMM8-3m67xHGoo144cI5JtgQxTGHlGVtI48iWk1RPLsQ-n-qqgaQdVMytmPv1fI4Bp7LmpOAM5dBko4zx95Bo8_xGjh6h8yTmZx9mvs_IHEWgfi/s320/Img_1964.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Iris blooming along the path to Konomineji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4SOhjguAeXL_pI7HwHFezbqkuhVv19N9znEWv41zCKvze6spuEcd1J6gqi_-o1SzMqeeJRzZQyM-bC46jLvtgej_g92vKbFsk773xTiaS23AYHArkqSEU1uXNc7wvVjn6MMN8CFMh3DB/s1600/Img_1968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4SOhjguAeXL_pI7HwHFezbqkuhVv19N9znEWv41zCKvze6spuEcd1J6gqi_-o1SzMqeeJRzZQyM-bC46jLvtgej_g92vKbFsk773xTiaS23AYHArkqSEU1uXNc7wvVjn6MMN8CFMh3DB/s320/Img_1968.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A line of <i>sakura </i>near the Daishi Hall at Konomineji.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvAddSowH6R6PC_27AkidMVgC2PQv7JjVM-JIYNRUKx65dqOagae_r1pZFojL9Kr6mVbz_yVQELbKPuvyjSTbGpl2M_0gqOZMSbDylmjFdnIOBgrj-8zfv4BTproDbetZFUCh3fMLxQoi/s1600/Img_1976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvAddSowH6R6PC_27AkidMVgC2PQv7JjVM-JIYNRUKx65dqOagae_r1pZFojL9Kr6mVbz_yVQELbKPuvyjSTbGpl2M_0gqOZMSbDylmjFdnIOBgrj-8zfv4BTproDbetZFUCh3fMLxQoi/s320/Img_1976.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Enjoying the cherry blossoms at Konomineji. Most of the cherry blossoms at the lower elevations on Shikoku have finished their display, but here at the mountain temple of Konomineji, we could still enjoy them!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUR0V4xsygs04kmpXETiMIWIrbU-HEV4TldIuJGDMgg2mGScAMOoPZgOs7siLkTsN2xO34jo9Dr9E8AxW89I__Ll_AYWpqfFB6FPhG7hycRyeg7fTVOypS2R1KWh5KM8wey_I10p4VcFsB/s1600/Img_1981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUR0V4xsygs04kmpXETiMIWIrbU-HEV4TldIuJGDMgg2mGScAMOoPZgOs7siLkTsN2xO34jo9Dr9E8AxW89I__Ll_AYWpqfFB6FPhG7hycRyeg7fTVOypS2R1KWh5KM8wey_I10p4VcFsB/s320/Img_1981.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At the Daishi Hall at Konomineji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkEmfu4CinfQiQN0IkzFHSo87yc5ukx8N31KebLXwlF-EfT3jzbZlaL_oB7-QQ0R0ycCl96fgufLM-aoQcOS1tJwxM_OJoup0SnMmepQ2Hupy8kt8J1lkOOnX49emrZfk2dJtTabVlOr0/s1600/Img_1999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkEmfu4CinfQiQN0IkzFHSo87yc5ukx8N31KebLXwlF-EfT3jzbZlaL_oB7-QQ0R0ycCl96fgufLM-aoQcOS1tJwxM_OJoup0SnMmepQ2Hupy8kt8J1lkOOnX49emrZfk2dJtTabVlOr0/s320/Img_1999.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The main hall (left) at Konomineji and a statue of Kobo Daishi.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcDRShykEC55D8fBRGmHvGa8vJHsP5rkHoUNAjbTk84mZY81veSZa-ZeNc4oz__4lpT4zSAX1RliGr5mjQgD0JrBQORuuONysksniNIHjL_DsZcDBBYrP3ld7qTPmQxOA_0x2gtVcWoam/s1600/Img_2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcDRShykEC55D8fBRGmHvGa8vJHsP5rkHoUNAjbTk84mZY81veSZa-ZeNc4oz__4lpT4zSAX1RliGr5mjQgD0JrBQORuuONysksniNIHjL_DsZcDBBYrP3ld7qTPmQxOA_0x2gtVcWoam/s320/Img_2009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
From Konomineji's mountain perch, you can gaze out over the Pacific Ocean!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96eEXuP2L_6Fm34-HKmMAA44QRkfFXL8Hyz7Ejo42zLBD0XmqwhNW7eHd2AAxSXMnzcI9WNgN_bwyuFE9opdx78EVWXtEZ30oODDw5CxAh_54pBaJII_JtNsSIlY0nQ9oVRzBurVG_U8v/s1600/Img_2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96eEXuP2L_6Fm34-HKmMAA44QRkfFXL8Hyz7Ejo42zLBD0XmqwhNW7eHd2AAxSXMnzcI9WNgN_bwyuFE9opdx78EVWXtEZ30oODDw5CxAh_54pBaJII_JtNsSIlY0nQ9oVRzBurVG_U8v/s320/Img_2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Henro </i>Jan and <i>Henro </i>Ingrid at the base of the <i>henro korogashi</i> ("place where the pilgrim falls down")--a steep section of trail on the pilgrimage route to Konomineji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQE39IQr4dg19wPx0xeZXWN3LOvAfufJj3CCiXtTuh6IbHPLS4NM75TNq8zxFtwzpIfm4a7R1QXbBExT06rI1AM52lbOWs62SW8CUXIpZwoLkQmn9pkixWNEx_-DAQDSIxfgBycbKg4jf/s1600/Img_2029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQE39IQr4dg19wPx0xeZXWN3LOvAfufJj3CCiXtTuh6IbHPLS4NM75TNq8zxFtwzpIfm4a7R1QXbBExT06rI1AM52lbOWs62SW8CUXIpZwoLkQmn9pkixWNEx_-DAQDSIxfgBycbKg4jf/s320/Img_2029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Tom Takano (left) and me at the Kazurabashi Hotel in the Iya Valley of central Shikoku.Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-52238319850673031532013-04-07T06:01:00.005-07:002013-04-27T20:09:44.225-07:00Day 3: Mountain Hiking Holidays Shikoku Pilgrimage roup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRk0-9n0yInG8Ijr9s9Ipfa56QE4ynVvyBHoUE5wEnlRudyE7CDrYyaqH0_Lt1Y_QhQf1RroYXJLLDdIrMSSXpd1i2mk2YGN4-sXAc8htmQZZ0tpPKmw5yeqyjAvyHZuQtXftow_5eLIA/s1600/Img_1792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRk0-9n0yInG8Ijr9s9Ipfa56QE4ynVvyBHoUE5wEnlRudyE7CDrYyaqH0_Lt1Y_QhQf1RroYXJLLDdIrMSSXpd1i2mk2YGN4-sXAc8htmQZZ0tpPKmw5yeqyjAvyHZuQtXftow_5eLIA/s320/Img_1792.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Today we traveled by vehicle to the town of Hiwasa where we visited Temple 23 (Yakuoji) with its striking red and white pagoda.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEnejOOJmL7fql3P6JWCCQ9ZPROs9bZuy4mpRadX4_NpNj-0OkXqDsiBA0SaXDcHdfnOa9Afvmkp2kzBv6Dl_1Ur45CWCdhW1opuxBDc5GdB8WzIZuwhCBEviBbsWaP4Uv6B5VUz8X0i6/s1600/Img_1776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEnejOOJmL7fql3P6JWCCQ9ZPROs9bZuy4mpRadX4_NpNj-0OkXqDsiBA0SaXDcHdfnOa9Afvmkp2kzBv6Dl_1Ur45CWCdhW1opuxBDc5GdB8WzIZuwhCBEviBbsWaP4Uv6B5VUz8X0i6/s320/Img_1776.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Henro </i>Jane at the hondo (main hall) at Yakuoji Temple.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFehMXobbW4R0bEz1WrZPzHuRRKWrpA-t3XCQHG3noAtiNGc0HqFBVb0UqDI8Syp8Um6g3iKrdlXT9EGsFUamjT6vCotN9CFPkvQKb33HeS7afhGjvArmGye3aCF-kEeBTopuTjUAdUBy/s1600/Img_1800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFehMXobbW4R0bEz1WrZPzHuRRKWrpA-t3XCQHG3noAtiNGc0HqFBVb0UqDI8Syp8Um6g3iKrdlXT9EGsFUamjT6vCotN9CFPkvQKb33HeS7afhGjvArmGye3aCF-kEeBTopuTjUAdUBy/s320/Img_1800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ingrid and Chris on the a coastal section of the Shikoku no michi near Hiwasa town.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoeRX7Mqf5WegrDL6PbaDLbzc4VI384a8SdHAbnXVFWp_0lD7-BPjTVMMNe8A3BQNpq9C4xIspgNax-HozW4h6bBDyw3yGIxV3r7MeLoEP0-wgZF_s2EwkOHGc_x-dNPtG0qFXRWWQozt/s1600/Img_1810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoeRX7Mqf5WegrDL6PbaDLbzc4VI384a8SdHAbnXVFWp_0lD7-BPjTVMMNe8A3BQNpq9C4xIspgNax-HozW4h6bBDyw3yGIxV3r7MeLoEP0-wgZF_s2EwkOHGc_x-dNPtG0qFXRWWQozt/s320/Img_1810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Stopping for a rest at a viewpoint on the coastal trail leading south from Hiwasa town.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbGcLATVnpGxt-bRqL92kH7W9zfjT4iL_Su8wKCgXso3_1xhd3fDb9LVVHKIPcp-zpLltfQ6EizZhTJTYhpiY5ZRMNeS7twdk4F7eqXwmTtG496c5GVBufXXdTmhkMsG1gRF_prXPtrF5/s1600/Img_1823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbGcLATVnpGxt-bRqL92kH7W9zfjT4iL_Su8wKCgXso3_1xhd3fDb9LVVHKIPcp-zpLltfQ6EizZhTJTYhpiY5ZRMNeS7twdk4F7eqXwmTtG496c5GVBufXXdTmhkMsG1gRF_prXPtrF5/s320/Img_1823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A crystal day on the coastal trail near Hiwasa town. After yesterday's big rain, today was crisp and breezy...a pleasant change!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWtTobTB5HaFMhakdnAs6p0wcqk6XPJK86PEAkeLgjTK2UdjM6ZFZlpzBUjxnPLgY1FHypffcksChqxVlf-61x9CAPRKgAgGEmWK7GEUPs1qZWoB3mY_kJ9vP_kJZXzqlkWpGneC2b9ET/s1600/Img_1812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWtTobTB5HaFMhakdnAs6p0wcqk6XPJK86PEAkeLgjTK2UdjM6ZFZlpzBUjxnPLgY1FHypffcksChqxVlf-61x9CAPRKgAgGEmWK7GEUPs1qZWoB3mY_kJ9vP_kJZXzqlkWpGneC2b9ET/s320/Img_1812.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On the <i>Shikoku no michi</i>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqLcKavxE26Xa45QPi7E114ID4HidiD_bhyphenhyphen1Vu1fGBL8dUz13KYB7ZKsH7ZUp1OTikWY_RI3plRd_ZOvlGoT_4z4mGIBkvqKxWOG41-jFB7Yeg8jJnXcArPT1oEyfEu3ldZL3t3GCshIt/s1600/Img_1826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqLcKavxE26Xa45QPi7E114ID4HidiD_bhyphenhyphen1Vu1fGBL8dUz13KYB7ZKsH7ZUp1OTikWY_RI3plRd_ZOvlGoT_4z4mGIBkvqKxWOG41-jFB7Yeg8jJnXcArPT1oEyfEu3ldZL3t3GCshIt/s320/Img_1826.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Camellias were blooming along the path.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKD_-5mdgu6JDskZHXYYhP2Mw6Zxy5tb5WhO3JPjbbf4bIjuQkY5V4jq09aAkhMDCSDhR13ZFnAa8p_-A0u8dWLOC5yg2WEu8Jbz2HBRWS3ouK1l72g8zPk95xO78iEr3yOC6ttM8bbKF/s1600/Img_1829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKD_-5mdgu6JDskZHXYYhP2Mw6Zxy5tb5WhO3JPjbbf4bIjuQkY5V4jq09aAkhMDCSDhR13ZFnAa8p_-A0u8dWLOC5yg2WEu8Jbz2HBRWS3ouK1l72g8zPk95xO78iEr3yOC6ttM8bbKF/s320/Img_1829.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The trail passed through a stand of Japanese cedars (<i>Cryptomeria sp</i>).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkwDuYNZWGPNoPcDkr3kCsp6bvr-UrJR_bnzDZJ6UiGc6k_FUbqkpixYYgWdGvCNIAbcpWlLGC73fPmgX3Sb3CPdxIi3IzJgmvzfcT8zl7Npw12Rtvoe0BEKT5kqaT2Gn5j4W5Qs5twAo/s1600/Img_1839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkwDuYNZWGPNoPcDkr3kCsp6bvr-UrJR_bnzDZJ6UiGc6k_FUbqkpixYYgWdGvCNIAbcpWlLGC73fPmgX3Sb3CPdxIi3IzJgmvzfcT8zl7Npw12Rtvoe0BEKT5kqaT2Gn5j4W5Qs5twAo/s320/Img_1839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Rock formations off the Shikoku coast. This is the rock called Tori Iwa (通り岩) at the foot of the Senba sea cliffs (千羽海崖).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsRX16oVmudNnUDZYtrn4HkiShMaHqYIUbw3HMao9Q84P7oP63wtQBOHNNFxt0lY_QzgkOvwKiGMhIBBb3aUAZxPu8QllPK83BAgEN7NI6OG1kY8d41WWQ5ffRvRlsl-7pyPPvJ6I_D9X/s1600/Img_1844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsRX16oVmudNnUDZYtrn4HkiShMaHqYIUbw3HMao9Q84P7oP63wtQBOHNNFxt0lY_QzgkOvwKiGMhIBBb3aUAZxPu8QllPK83BAgEN7NI6OG1kY8d41WWQ5ffRvRlsl-7pyPPvJ6I_D9X/s320/Img_1844.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Group photo at our lunch stop at the Tori Iwa viewpoint.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEA51yVOfk6KkgTVpFEQak27H-pLw1_L1miTmLoYiCnkPPMAOZrzFDRjC0LsBAQEg5-XaULoXnRYlQvIsFGetkuk45w0Ysth2-zBkzPeSbGZVgGMnOkW-Ki0O-rc5N135yIM7XfxVPXVB/s1600/Img_1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEA51yVOfk6KkgTVpFEQak27H-pLw1_L1miTmLoYiCnkPPMAOZrzFDRjC0LsBAQEg5-XaULoXnRYlQvIsFGetkuk45w0Ysth2-zBkzPeSbGZVgGMnOkW-Ki0O-rc5N135yIM7XfxVPXVB/s320/Img_1846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Splendid view down the Shikoku coast.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrRYGU9VXQBLVX5GYY9j_44tkPkdzUI81AbxJ-etQ9pgZ0gcedeVo7nI-3p4GT4RX0MEU_f6IJyLmabzET5eRR8picq4QbFNdHuzhi0hto7l-FrX-qAiv-NghF-Fzty83OigHTi-mI6by/s1600/Img_1852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrRYGU9VXQBLVX5GYY9j_44tkPkdzUI81AbxJ-etQ9pgZ0gcedeVo7nI-3p4GT4RX0MEU_f6IJyLmabzET5eRR8picq4QbFNdHuzhi0hto7l-FrX-qAiv-NghF-Fzty83OigHTi-mI6by/s320/Img_1852.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Descending the steps to the Sunline road where our hike ended.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TCl1Qlk5GzJZuODY0BITXHQw87ufCyhJuhz1vbh_zsBIpJrkvzNsAydf5KCE0Fq5XXOBm7s3dWKHVsClsoxnCXF1skjehJcwQBC4KX3ZSsEBOzb25NW1ko9RJzTqW9kEWPCdXD0KLeJ9/s1600/Img_1864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TCl1Qlk5GzJZuODY0BITXHQw87ufCyhJuhz1vbh_zsBIpJrkvzNsAydf5KCE0Fq5XXOBm7s3dWKHVsClsoxnCXF1skjehJcwQBC4KX3ZSsEBOzb25NW1ko9RJzTqW9kEWPCdXD0KLeJ9/s320/Img_1864.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Getting ready for dinner at Utoco Resort and Spa at Cape Muroto (<i>Muroto misaki</i>).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNdR2jirH_5z7QU_VIEzIL-Fj4e42qaTW37RqdTRzKt0z6WFp7JLDXoiyd3cfPMOsO8u0QXO_A6Q4WjoyjcjWkntsYIv-U4LucZUoGAqwDZ0D6AlpZ-7l4IKVtjIV-UJb1m2aMCBfoMBb/s1600/Img_1865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNdR2jirH_5z7QU_VIEzIL-Fj4e42qaTW37RqdTRzKt0z6WFp7JLDXoiyd3cfPMOsO8u0QXO_A6Q4WjoyjcjWkntsYIv-U4LucZUoGAqwDZ0D6AlpZ-7l4IKVtjIV-UJb1m2aMCBfoMBb/s320/Img_1865.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First course: Four kinds of lightly roasted bonito garnished with fresh fruits and seasonal vegetables.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRKdbswtB1lqL86HHW8d9ub9e8bB0mhGTSQi5k6s7h6cmLhxMWwzYjclo5478_CJsi-yTAT4VhhJjspeDNNWbgvtw7LCnqIra_AFFd3TmR1yn_SBfOOkV93Q_6O81nUXgXrVA9VeR_efg/s1600/Img_1868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRKdbswtB1lqL86HHW8d9ub9e8bB0mhGTSQi5k6s7h6cmLhxMWwzYjclo5478_CJsi-yTAT4VhhJjspeDNNWbgvtw7LCnqIra_AFFd3TmR1yn_SBfOOkV93Q_6O81nUXgXrVA9VeR_efg/s320/Img_1868.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Second course: Broad bean pudding with clams and a cream sauce of blue mussels and short necked clams.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriVuhSuFvxVJZhE4sspTUe3AfZy1JrAMxInMFxSHZdMMUG4G1hPij5GcL5z8isuwiH7BzQww_1FRvebm5usHEa436QhTFMkql2En82jcM41Dr8k2Yp-W3iCsPxSn4kt2mIBrJU0fUdgpy/s1600/Img_1872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriVuhSuFvxVJZhE4sspTUe3AfZy1JrAMxInMFxSHZdMMUG4G1hPij5GcL5z8isuwiH7BzQww_1FRvebm5usHEa436QhTFMkql2En82jcM41Dr8k2Yp-W3iCsPxSn4kt2mIBrJU0fUdgpy/s320/Img_1872.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Third course: Tagliatelle with horse mackerel, saffron sauce and arugula.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7Fl3CJoxdbW33O0MPAlOYOVzNEQvMnHozc-Gnx2lPEoZI0liriTQUTDyuyR_U1VoqIA7BpN19FJOxSokum3rkReby1GDdQkr6VKKktp9x1XOeCaZQmbNuQBPOAMuAv4cfwEWQlI7yuZ7/s1600/Img_1874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7Fl3CJoxdbW33O0MPAlOYOVzNEQvMnHozc-Gnx2lPEoZI0liriTQUTDyuyR_U1VoqIA7BpN19FJOxSokum3rkReby1GDdQkr6VKKktp9x1XOeCaZQmbNuQBPOAMuAv4cfwEWQlI7yuZ7/s320/Img_1874.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Fourth course: Sauteed abalone and splendid alfonsino (golden-eyed snapper) with butterbur sauce served with radicchio.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg311wjZukr-1lkG9fH11W_jsTjY2DakRF7twMSsLyQCgLtF8EPOQWKDLu-bRn5qmfjLeXjYkRVPWYI77p1n0iSGR4nH_dKlqp6KsiuhHbGkwDAJW9FPQWrzLY2DL8pMtmMihLJROyAFujM/s1600/Img_1876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg311wjZukr-1lkG9fH11W_jsTjY2DakRF7twMSsLyQCgLtF8EPOQWKDLu-bRn5qmfjLeXjYkRVPWYI77p1n0iSGR4nH_dKlqp6KsiuhHbGkwDAJW9FPQWrzLY2DL8pMtmMihLJROyAFujM/s320/Img_1876.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fifth course: Kochi wagyu beef tenderloin with Marsala wine and caper sauce and vegetables with sauce Gribiche.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKRxoIOYcyJ6eDAkIx2KhkUinXCrddD_0GQdcLzLQ7871MBhnNd_0QVNLtmY4aLbcLRn6F82D_iC1Z4sbpf2nFNrhn34-pj-JpAwh8Q5zXz4GGfYutBS8w1XVpLhU5uuZWJ_WSBSnpTFK/s1600/Img_1880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKRxoIOYcyJ6eDAkIx2KhkUinXCrddD_0GQdcLzLQ7871MBhnNd_0QVNLtmY4aLbcLRn6F82D_iC1Z4sbpf2nFNrhn34-pj-JpAwh8Q5zXz4GGfYutBS8w1XVpLhU5uuZWJ_WSBSnpTFK/s320/Img_1880.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Sixth course: We were served a "primo dolce" of rhubarb and water shield with rose fragrance followed by this dish which was marscapone and strawberry ice cream served in a skinned tomato. <i>Gochisosama deshita!</i>Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-63247327345339829952013-04-06T05:03:00.001-07:002013-04-06T05:03:39.555-07:00Day 2: Mountain HIking Holidays Shikoku Pilgrimage Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuwmszqsIo0SaiyzOv0aens8n65GKOE4uMsL-CvKJ7-btGYuFfG3R8qfI0RI5e2YAO1ziYRhHhiCLsV6KV2LCG_nPBK3RkttP0AUYIcCWW4g2lbmVipEjnK8qI30TXeaFTDm-92ZFEiiN/s1600/Img_1764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuwmszqsIo0SaiyzOv0aens8n65GKOE4uMsL-CvKJ7-btGYuFfG3R8qfI0RI5e2YAO1ziYRhHhiCLsV6KV2LCG_nPBK3RkttP0AUYIcCWW4g2lbmVipEjnK8qI30TXeaFTDm-92ZFEiiN/s320/Img_1764.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We hiked today from Temple 11 (Fujidera) to the Temple 12 (Shosanji). Shosanji is the first mountain temple on the pilgrimage route. Today's hike was almost entirely on a mountain trail, so a marked change from yesterday's walk between Temple 1 and Temple 5. Here is our group ascending the trail a few minutes out of the Fujidera temple compound.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMSwfndbN9GV4xkAbIgBuEq41BiWJw5lXWJfLi43KZgob_jGAq6GpytK8TavPTjoB30GQJwH6laRGrF0FJC-mwDj7jzdJHpzDGozY7xpKViYeyHTvoitAtdnShpqweOXyhC4GY-sPTSTo/s1600/Img_1765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMSwfndbN9GV4xkAbIgBuEq41BiWJw5lXWJfLi43KZgob_jGAq6GpytK8TavPTjoB30GQJwH6laRGrF0FJC-mwDj7jzdJHpzDGozY7xpKViYeyHTvoitAtdnShpqweOXyhC4GY-sPTSTo/s320/Img_1765.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It rained all day today during our hike from Fujidera to Shosanji and the winds were brisk, so that added a bit of challenge to the hike (12 kilometers, 3,500 feet of elevation gain and 1,500 feet of elevation loss). We all earned the Shosanji temple stamp today!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-84671483292820718922013-04-05T06:43:00.002-07:002013-04-05T06:50:14.572-07:00Day 1: Mountain Hiking Holidays Shikoku Pilgrimage Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeYIQZPblev2S353h6SicOIKIVq66mLRBQ0TXLHYOn7DuHz4VDdWYkHORHTp6z9oAKOVFlW_387DdYypvUFmNiND6GDPo1Qei7rGi43vtKUraJrfXGXQR8_K2sDSMfSxTi0RDd9uc21Wd/s1600/Img_1695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeYIQZPblev2S353h6SicOIKIVq66mLRBQ0TXLHYOn7DuHz4VDdWYkHORHTp6z9oAKOVFlW_387DdYypvUFmNiND6GDPo1Qei7rGi43vtKUraJrfXGXQR8_K2sDSMfSxTi0RDd9uc21Wd/s320/Img_1695.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The PBS crew films our group approaching Temple 2 (Gokurakuji) on our hike today from Temple 1 (Ryozenji) to Temple 5 (Jizoji).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDRhnEkGAStZXVXaDZBGiHaEzmYAY66skGi9kvvdZTXECBEGa-p8wjzTzy53P3FZ83Ik4ARxHx2WXt8jtHJhpN20z7xLV153ICJFBNGrMbo8sEjomiIBL1Z9WlA_Zw50DAsDg-UQY__Cn/s1600/Img_1709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDRhnEkGAStZXVXaDZBGiHaEzmYAY66skGi9kvvdZTXECBEGa-p8wjzTzy53P3FZ83Ik4ARxHx2WXt8jtHJhpN20z7xLV153ICJFBNGrMbo8sEjomiIBL1Z9WlA_Zw50DAsDg-UQY__Cn/s320/Img_1709.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Several of us purchased <i>hakui </i>(long sleeved jackets) or <i>oizuru </i>(sleeveless) at Temple 1. In addition to marking us as pilgrims, the white fabric reflected the bright sunlight so it helped keep us cooler.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3jhaPMZOjr2bchxeYFXp2rpHjdFbNpN2rqgQIJ1ba7YxmR9F1fKrY1W2GdiYmV9FT7zneJA9lz6EPVH7LK91tzQ4K913P7a6Qy-gmHQM7IUTAsdwDt2oY3hIoqtp8YGgusNr-7Sz_F39/s1600/Img_1706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3jhaPMZOjr2bchxeYFXp2rpHjdFbNpN2rqgQIJ1ba7YxmR9F1fKrY1W2GdiYmV9FT7zneJA9lz6EPVH7LK91tzQ4K913P7a6Qy-gmHQM7IUTAsdwDt2oY3hIoqtp8YGgusNr-7Sz_F39/s320/Img_1706.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The lovely gardens at Gokurakuji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXR6YL-g7Sf_ebDJfdxvyp_y3TFEYsQWPkm9ET6yVvbiOCxDVJ_K4WbnkPlxMJpIVclt3eO_fOUV6BD5Q57um2VtazhhV5X8UBxCAtZJJLNIPc_EeDfFWBAErhgz-we8FCE1k9xXxHk2fe/s1600/Img_1720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXR6YL-g7Sf_ebDJfdxvyp_y3TFEYsQWPkm9ET6yVvbiOCxDVJ_K4WbnkPlxMJpIVclt3eO_fOUV6BD5Q57um2VtazhhV5X8UBxCAtZJJLNIPc_EeDfFWBAErhgz-we8FCE1k9xXxHk2fe/s320/Img_1720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Stopped for lunch in Itano town. Here a bowl of Sanuki udon with <i>sansai </i>(mountain vegetables). Sanuki udon is a specialty of the neighboring prefecture of Kagawa whose old name was Sanuki.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1YoLhvfFmuC-yg6bSB67kYGEO5pIaVLdI_8moiXOpbN0CRXRTTuapMReY5anYf-jsZqtPcrqpTUehY5mCtvX_b5icGIRNLYIa5J0qw0RmGJaM-bN5i6eI4OrgRbHch2pJ-wAu9hX2R5s/s1600/Img_1714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1YoLhvfFmuC-yg6bSB67kYGEO5pIaVLdI_8moiXOpbN0CRXRTTuapMReY5anYf-jsZqtPcrqpTUehY5mCtvX_b5icGIRNLYIa5J0qw0RmGJaM-bN5i6eI4OrgRbHch2pJ-wAu9hX2R5s/s320/Img_1714.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Ingrid shares a photo with David Moreton at Temple 3 (Konsenji).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39qsOzy2nokjupfh-Zy6aphOFSqqSmXSApoZ5AqwRk87aIeFkYBz8Hp1hC8AReFU8PZCI3GWA6HFIof3olcpw1dNqjCVZKJUI4aKtIj-NKuAY4OArDJT2QUcKTCr0iGW36NlNGL9hh65h/s1600/Img_1726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39qsOzy2nokjupfh-Zy6aphOFSqqSmXSApoZ5AqwRk87aIeFkYBz8Hp1hC8AReFU8PZCI3GWA6HFIof3olcpw1dNqjCVZKJUI4aKtIj-NKuAY4OArDJT2QUcKTCr0iGW36NlNGL9hh65h/s320/Img_1726.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hiking on the pilgrim path between Temple 3 (Konsenji) and Temple 4 (Dainichiji).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrHzWrvUl51BGB89CEFolA3EP0iYNlX9VEW1cPHQdGQKrCIHh41mX9JNRuSUrHL71G3Ul7g84hTK6ycuuAbCpAwYKDAQPQoAbqedJoOCeR6yk-RLK0HyfegR9w_dl9MMi-nARUKakd5YB/s1600/Img_1730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrHzWrvUl51BGB89CEFolA3EP0iYNlX9VEW1cPHQdGQKrCIHh41mX9JNRuSUrHL71G3Ul7g84hTK6ycuuAbCpAwYKDAQPQoAbqedJoOCeR6yk-RLK0HyfegR9w_dl9MMi-nARUKakd5YB/s320/Img_1730.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A good portion of the path from Temple 3 to Temple 4 passes through rural landscapes and away from the paved lanes and roads.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthIqo74w-_DLVzdaRPXThx1i-D6wrMUneF0P8fOpJtQyzqY2vVLoSZBOOweZTnm8G-XbeCLS5TPWhtJ8ChyphenhyphenG7TiG_R_fTJp7OB6Gk6qP_BYGwSm5ZMq-V0RHKecwtwxwyOxaykCpMnfex/s1600/Img_1735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthIqo74w-_DLVzdaRPXThx1i-D6wrMUneF0P8fOpJtQyzqY2vVLoSZBOOweZTnm8G-XbeCLS5TPWhtJ8ChyphenhyphenG7TiG_R_fTJp7OB6Gk6qP_BYGwSm5ZMq-V0RHKecwtwxwyOxaykCpMnfex/s320/Img_1735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A portion of the trail between Konsenji and Dainichiji passes through a lovely bamboo thicket.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBHlpBwN2htYPcOtNVmrbK2mQPsaMtqgKPwEcsUG6ZiWojqb77hZhkI4RwIvS8MqUcpGgtpea_RAfwpQz2FHeBOdlyZVIVkKbN-b7-EcMJt_7SDe3__B8ZUSmUvURwPuEQWQCANKxuG0R/s1600/Img_1738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBHlpBwN2htYPcOtNVmrbK2mQPsaMtqgKPwEcsUG6ZiWojqb77hZhkI4RwIvS8MqUcpGgtpea_RAfwpQz2FHeBOdlyZVIVkKbN-b7-EcMJt_7SDe3__B8ZUSmUvURwPuEQWQCANKxuG0R/s320/Img_1738.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Part of our group in front of the Daishi Hall at Temple 4 (Dainichiji). Tom and Marianne are chanting the Heart Sutra at left.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszFWSymjXph0_GxBvgDp7cfdKbPaAiUwylvUPoeKQhZuQC4p7QzHARFVzCx09gB0biMEnT-JHfdd0ZFP6qhNPLXpldNICeu3kZ57_dtCIclgMst_P150C0NTBAgvdIkTgopnAxPyEyAQv/s1600/Img_1747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszFWSymjXph0_GxBvgDp7cfdKbPaAiUwylvUPoeKQhZuQC4p7QzHARFVzCx09gB0biMEnT-JHfdd0ZFP6qhNPLXpldNICeu3kZ57_dtCIclgMst_P150C0NTBAgvdIkTgopnAxPyEyAQv/s320/Img_1747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A gingko tree estimated to be about 800 years old stands in front of the Daishi Hall at Temple 5 (Jizoji).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0Q2KsjMm7twRpwxno39sp1kOWiqhGZlMiIGw8m34eTL2HKwpvLXhDAaYJ0HT1WgC0rnxRH0uLweRXfpugRj-gT-lKE-Wor6xq2mzPppGmrum8xCRnXnURRd_5bPFe7pyE8dJBWLB1dkK/s1600/Img_1751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0Q2KsjMm7twRpwxno39sp1kOWiqhGZlMiIGw8m34eTL2HKwpvLXhDAaYJ0HT1WgC0rnxRH0uLweRXfpugRj-gT-lKE-Wor6xq2mzPppGmrum8xCRnXnURRd_5bPFe7pyE8dJBWLB1dkK/s320/Img_1751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
One of several courses for dinner tonight in Tokushima.Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-54120176982354592632013-04-04T02:15:00.002-07:002013-04-16T16:26:20.782-07:00Jizoji (Temple 5) to Ryozanji (Temple 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCTd7HAb_v-RjcMxsZDTHuUZ3Y1u6GaFUsgSwzvbPD9n0D6UT65-6tTrWO9gh2YTH_rXgTlhdRiFAIReIXeIatba3FjS8igGhue0-HdBuF2RshZlzf7WktFuIQkU-ulIUS1TbBylnzzzF/s1600/Img_1544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCTd7HAb_v-RjcMxsZDTHuUZ3Y1u6GaFUsgSwzvbPD9n0D6UT65-6tTrWO9gh2YTH_rXgTlhdRiFAIReIXeIatba3FjS8igGhue0-HdBuF2RshZlzf7WktFuIQkU-ulIUS1TbBylnzzzF/s320/Img_1544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I did today's walk in reverse order starting at Jizoji and walking back to Ryozanji. Here is the start of the walk at Jizoji.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFcOn7SlaHHcKZWmqIcCkNSUOX4wXjE7KGEPHUZCyX0yA9PzES5Hnl6Sg-f_VBTV1hEZ_dWxk8NPXQS1qjjIqPc1xaL343BxcMcK9A6SOYQBcsW2NwSXKpN1l7lNG_l9zjp2l7WkkV6Wc/s1600/Img_1554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFcOn7SlaHHcKZWmqIcCkNSUOX4wXjE7KGEPHUZCyX0yA9PzES5Hnl6Sg-f_VBTV1hEZ_dWxk8NPXQS1qjjIqPc1xaL343BxcMcK9A6SOYQBcsW2NwSXKpN1l7lNG_l9zjp2l7WkkV6Wc/s320/Img_1554.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The beautiful main gate at Temple 4 known as Dainichiji. The temple is located toward the head of a small valley, so it's quiet and peaceful here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgML7L2WF7Zkl6yk4FLjCVlyk5pzYyO0pizW2TtDHK3LvZscmWdJnMPS9NIuiRytgtkr_bd9GW-wHPuN9NP8KtMWx_i9eX41I26HRDnNuWlNa1KuevWW0jGvRO24ePDQcYC-jxRwmvSils9/s1600/Img_1564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgML7L2WF7Zkl6yk4FLjCVlyk5pzYyO0pizW2TtDHK3LvZscmWdJnMPS9NIuiRytgtkr_bd9GW-wHPuN9NP8KtMWx_i9eX41I26HRDnNuWlNa1KuevWW0jGvRO24ePDQcYC-jxRwmvSils9/s320/Img_1564.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Two </span><i style="text-align: center;">henro </i><span style="text-align: center;">at Dainichiji. The cherry trees were in bloom in the temple compound.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTB37JfOW-n1pG5tn99d-Cge-TMWQ1F_CFb-M9zDo9bABG_bMPw9Itrw-ZlN54Dy5vctTtoxOGsh_3-wIIOFb19LGElWNMfOVT1cneMBSDa20tPQZf2MKOw0qvghIyFFGczZLXgLPAZgP/s1600/Img_1577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTB37JfOW-n1pG5tn99d-Cge-TMWQ1F_CFb-M9zDo9bABG_bMPw9Itrw-ZlN54Dy5vctTtoxOGsh_3-wIIOFb19LGElWNMfOVT1cneMBSDa20tPQZf2MKOw0qvghIyFFGczZLXgLPAZgP/s320/Img_1577.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A group of <i>henro </i>chanting at Dainichiji. This was a group of "bus <i>henro</i>" traveling between the temples by bus instead of on foot. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsM-ndYh0OnTbjm04QCe7pL1u2c_d1DtPdBsRPkiu0h_jCLnIXPM4V-A6OKpGGt35ky-crFd5ytUnSSa-ihzcwGi6KCFYv-uVRd_0iYZsXvusofuLT-mphVTC6kCXoJoxXP1sfD7D8QqY/s1600/Img_1603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsM-ndYh0OnTbjm04QCe7pL1u2c_d1DtPdBsRPkiu0h_jCLnIXPM4V-A6OKpGGt35ky-crFd5ytUnSSa-ihzcwGi6KCFYv-uVRd_0iYZsXvusofuLT-mphVTC6kCXoJoxXP1sfD7D8QqY/s320/Img_1603.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Main gate at Temple 3 (Konsenji). I arrived here around lunchtime and had the temple compound mostly to myself! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKyekaL-xEtn546tqzOZoOZOpulEOaF_1n4i0kXCLBZzBygoeosV7Gy6djayx8_jC0VPuKylJYTCOFrWYHX3jN1uKiDS-TWQHd5wde3mRouMpyOnchyhcQASkK_JZJrlYBkk6KxL63IFt/s1600/Img_1605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKyekaL-xEtn546tqzOZoOZOpulEOaF_1n4i0kXCLBZzBygoeosV7Gy6djayx8_jC0VPuKylJYTCOFrWYHX3jN1uKiDS-TWQHd5wde3mRouMpyOnchyhcQASkK_JZJrlYBkk6KxL63IFt/s320/Img_1605.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A guardian (<i>a-gyo</i>) at the gate of Konsenji. These statues are known as <i>kongo rikishi</i> and are found in the main gates of most temples.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcjnLhtMwhl1dhQnz9iICcoiiKZ-NMr0CKI_T_Wzd8hLiv-iIyNrdCvb5IRhwW1y0dUFFsN1PFkVWvTXF56l4-ijssoXQM2lgBMtdSgKYyZlnJLt2sSpnzLvZyMaU7toCUf_QfFy_s1Ij/s1600/Img_1624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcjnLhtMwhl1dhQnz9iICcoiiKZ-NMr0CKI_T_Wzd8hLiv-iIyNrdCvb5IRhwW1y0dUFFsN1PFkVWvTXF56l4-ijssoXQM2lgBMtdSgKYyZlnJLt2sSpnzLvZyMaU7toCUf_QfFy_s1Ij/s320/Img_1624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Colorful pagoda behind the main hall at Konsenji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CPs1wz3h-XQXPhzz9yi4fo9JMf7ViC-gU0E8auSh6_uVyiAjEOMZR7A0hHWCPVKn8sLBoS0qtOyonfTKIJarmTRqzQ4btuBlg-XSucmrDlBxfMQN_2SFPgbdm83PgAbwSrt3sR_-mPKA/s1600/Img_1630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CPs1wz3h-XQXPhzz9yi4fo9JMf7ViC-gU0E8auSh6_uVyiAjEOMZR7A0hHWCPVKn8sLBoS0qtOyonfTKIJarmTRqzQ4btuBlg-XSucmrDlBxfMQN_2SFPgbdm83PgAbwSrt3sR_-mPKA/s320/Img_1630.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Daishi Hall at Konsenji.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcgjkxA7QmTPTdYx0ZrdbLYGIFqvrx2AADKbePdsJebEiwa8mb1autoDCcxVLR116m60BQkacv0aXZ5Rs19LBEWwaO0D89hID8nIpL1R0uZg23pe0es05cMd8X-xvF0JQDac1RX15a0wX/s1600/Img_1597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcgjkxA7QmTPTdYx0ZrdbLYGIFqvrx2AADKbePdsJebEiwa8mb1autoDCcxVLR116m60BQkacv0aXZ5Rs19LBEWwaO0D89hID8nIpL1R0uZg23pe0es05cMd8X-xvF0JQDac1RX15a0wX/s320/Img_1597.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The shrine of Okagami between Dainichiji and Konsenji. Most of the Shinto shrines I pass are deserted and seem a bit forgotten. I loved this beautiful, old tree. My mind is thinking of the scenes in Miyazaki's animated film <i>Tonari no Totoro</i>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKaPx0ZjMLEiK7oJP-oZ7111v6qSyLh-fsaBRxBsfbgIbmdUvi-bf6mMF0YFE2Vbe_TvH7Gvx-3odln5T77863BAhVw8ocTPVExr7Slku7jcMzKnYA5ujxvPrvOvk0jz3rX99m_TVLo_v/s1600/Img_1656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKaPx0ZjMLEiK7oJP-oZ7111v6qSyLh-fsaBRxBsfbgIbmdUvi-bf6mMF0YFE2Vbe_TvH7Gvx-3odln5T77863BAhVw8ocTPVExr7Slku7jcMzKnYA5ujxvPrvOvk0jz3rX99m_TVLo_v/s320/Img_1656.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Colorful main gate at Gokurakuji (Temple 2).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY6YjZuWek317VfgXClocZ2T6ndTZzyZCAwtD5HmTZYBwpt_ufY9mAKjEo4_LtzYerCUJIhIJoUSvqeCx6rSALEeWq1WiKnrFbPxP_l4k6QpsFzEk2Ovw6_a2HXdk3Dqzj9NdnYaScnYv/s1600/Img_1643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY6YjZuWek317VfgXClocZ2T6ndTZzyZCAwtD5HmTZYBwpt_ufY9mAKjEo4_LtzYerCUJIhIJoUSvqeCx6rSALEeWq1WiKnrFbPxP_l4k6QpsFzEk2Ovw6_a2HXdk3Dqzj9NdnYaScnYv/s320/Img_1643.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
An abundance of <i>sakura </i>(cherry blossoms) at Temple 2 (Gokurakuji) which also boast a beautiful garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5s3-Xdgilv4f13gA33hFT0BEYJjToNb-v5jW42ucJKZzzAIrYwrf0ETK0DxXZj4-pXtvS157A709cDU5ScZ1ow4j8PdgWRhuKLBwancEwtRvcX5lgxOQ6G7f5P-Spk2-nUqv0d5_9ubS/s1600/Img_1652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5s3-Xdgilv4f13gA33hFT0BEYJjToNb-v5jW42ucJKZzzAIrYwrf0ETK0DxXZj4-pXtvS157A709cDU5ScZ1ow4j8PdgWRhuKLBwancEwtRvcX5lgxOQ6G7f5P-Spk2-nUqv0d5_9ubS/s320/Img_1652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Sakura </i>at Gokurakuji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9H_M2Wd5E_gV8EYqYZP7ThnxLjhWiZg9cyOtRb2zqqjJ1xYAlLHAMEua_YmG0WKscbto33Ep7poqzUN1IU2T_DQDICHUn5FRJ2HPf4LtN53s93_Aw9heUM638M6pIOmlKVW7mlzM5rwh/s1600/Img_1658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9H_M2Wd5E_gV8EYqYZP7ThnxLjhWiZg9cyOtRb2zqqjJ1xYAlLHAMEua_YmG0WKscbto33Ep7poqzUN1IU2T_DQDICHUn5FRJ2HPf4LtN53s93_Aw9heUM638M6pIOmlKVW7mlzM5rwh/s320/Img_1658.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The main gate at Temple 1 (Ryozenji).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnZKLkJx52pVPT1s5bN86k4j1VqqiT-KG9yXblg_BeV57ZcrW7qIeXz-qJInCOxtrVkVD1fYTXiCGEk3IKOHrYsbyz5wUu_htniBIdEB11jL1dBRgxTds_BPAC6O42PkvyMyuan19Iw_e/s1600/Img_1663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnZKLkJx52pVPT1s5bN86k4j1VqqiT-KG9yXblg_BeV57ZcrW7qIeXz-qJInCOxtrVkVD1fYTXiCGEk3IKOHrYsbyz5wUu_htniBIdEB11jL1dBRgxTds_BPAC6O42PkvyMyuan19Iw_e/s320/Img_1663.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Daishi Hall at Ryozenji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GuYc2tVualcYe1goD8e2P031YENTprr-Kd1ZkJKtlIOfCf35psaq55-D6R-siWT4J34ECCBy_T2CIJPsX3B5vC-MAad3oghMHRSpZ24N1Z39Sp2ezqD3_JZFOmogtaquvk88Ytrq9rmq/s1600/Img_1671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GuYc2tVualcYe1goD8e2P031YENTprr-Kd1ZkJKtlIOfCf35psaq55-D6R-siWT4J34ECCBy_T2CIJPsX3B5vC-MAad3oghMHRSpZ24N1Z39Sp2ezqD3_JZFOmogtaquvk88Ytrq9rmq/s320/Img_1671.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Pagoda at Ryozenji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD1o_59YMVc9d_bgcX9QIy924GrBUzWb0olII92phBOaptJWFTq-HB8ZsiklwQFOrvtVvX8XV1jQ8pt2lTuAqj85gq-dx3PEcCB_JH4MslHmgG3AZ3lL0v6TWhsHSiJqRMw1Y6w3qvV7R/s1600/Img_1669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD1o_59YMVc9d_bgcX9QIy924GrBUzWb0olII92phBOaptJWFTq-HB8ZsiklwQFOrvtVvX8XV1jQ8pt2lTuAqj85gq-dx3PEcCB_JH4MslHmgG3AZ3lL0v6TWhsHSiJqRMw1Y6w3qvV7R/s320/Img_1669.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Roof ornament atop the Daishi Hall at Ryozenji. The sakura display was beautiful here as well!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVkEiMOSiC79JHgpy0B7G5Zr4rfdVNbIRJo5XNyXtkQej_bBwNHmSEBB3U0_qhgYpRHSLCYtvUgOhekOPg4eADnZ9oboGOnfEX_6rdCSIrVDw5IhGr5ok8R8KjMQ3DFVjtH7tn1I4rHYX/s1600/Img_1674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVkEiMOSiC79JHgpy0B7G5Zr4rfdVNbIRJo5XNyXtkQej_bBwNHmSEBB3U0_qhgYpRHSLCYtvUgOhekOPg4eADnZ9oboGOnfEX_6rdCSIrVDw5IhGr5ok8R8KjMQ3DFVjtH7tn1I4rHYX/s320/Img_1674.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <i>chozu </i>(wash basin) at Ryozenji. The <i>chozu </i>is used for ritual purification (washing of hands and mouth) before entering the temple compound.</div>
Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-11161509953233404342013-04-03T08:02:00.003-07:002013-04-03T08:02:47.103-07:00Yokomine-ji (Temple 60) to Kouon-ji (Temple 61)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBehWAohkD7wZ4FLFvNtR09_S6fVw2GahxJQ2OeW01EP0PUc_Vnr9_bpgf_-IX__1FI2GZpj3HjwLer10R75cm1uf1UuzfdmcrLZndJa97ldm6sAEOhZYI_jBCfDnF7yDeAoZ6Hk2s4goT/s1600/Img_1393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBehWAohkD7wZ4FLFvNtR09_S6fVw2GahxJQ2OeW01EP0PUc_Vnr9_bpgf_-IX__1FI2GZpj3HjwLer10R75cm1uf1UuzfdmcrLZndJa97ldm6sAEOhZYI_jBCfDnF7yDeAoZ6Hk2s4goT/s320/Img_1393.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cherry trees embrace the <i>henro </i>shelter at the start of the path up to the mountain temple of Yokomine-ji (Temple 60).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrnind4k-FJcTLpMfGcEEk92VedTsSCISbnMmPUgWb7jjUvHKcBnhiTbHs95cH9kGiES949BgMIN4D1p9DekGGfvMQGcwwAegThKlc7v2aWfH6gFTa4I5PHbNSlbm4bH5TVnSROdCL40V/s1600/Img_1398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrnind4k-FJcTLpMfGcEEk92VedTsSCISbnMmPUgWb7jjUvHKcBnhiTbHs95cH9kGiES949BgMIN4D1p9DekGGfvMQGcwwAegThKlc7v2aWfH6gFTa4I5PHbNSlbm4bH5TVnSROdCL40V/s320/Img_1398.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The beautiful path to Yokomine-ji ascends through a cool Japanese cedar (<i>Cryptomeria</i>) forest.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR80A7ksYihyzAYct5m3sVlhcEBJOHFYRKrrB4mgb0WOB02xHJj0c9mBHPS084TzKTRajug80pi52PYGJ1pHrRIx7-XmlzO48GydwE7K6Rc7kvy3lKf8FOTL-0sv7-zdwi0icyOfJSBaG/s1600/Img_1406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR80A7ksYihyzAYct5m3sVlhcEBJOHFYRKrrB4mgb0WOB02xHJj0c9mBHPS084TzKTRajug80pi52PYGJ1pHrRIx7-XmlzO48GydwE7K6Rc7kvy3lKf8FOTL-0sv7-zdwi0icyOfJSBaG/s320/Img_1406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It's a steady climb, but a lovely mountain stream keeps you company in the lower reaches of the trail.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsplmSvYBtR0KYwzdzDlDgqM6hjeFty0tykt1xyH3XKC8bobEdjTU-vUe5M4HeDzg-0WpxdP9AmzJhMU5M6iDL_SNzLXXNIirYh8Q3lCNxB-hx72rXs_FeQHAPpPYBvkwoTGwl7axsjKhN/s1600/Img_1415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsplmSvYBtR0KYwzdzDlDgqM6hjeFty0tykt1xyH3XKC8bobEdjTU-vUe5M4HeDzg-0WpxdP9AmzJhMU5M6iDL_SNzLXXNIirYh8Q3lCNxB-hx72rXs_FeQHAPpPYBvkwoTGwl7axsjKhN/s320/Img_1415.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The pilgrim's path to Yokomine-ji.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5hJk5fXt7siCyCyJcuLkwz4DG9e0PLmswmfshucNR96UOJkoMUk-k3Zore6lSIARg51p7XIR4oHPAmEiCVBwJ6ezazwPc5d9qJUO-LwfYs2k15RtpM0BvIz9rFj1LCC9UPFkWgxh8xPP/s1600/Img_1459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5hJk5fXt7siCyCyJcuLkwz4DG9e0PLmswmfshucNR96UOJkoMUk-k3Zore6lSIARg51p7XIR4oHPAmEiCVBwJ6ezazwPc5d9qJUO-LwfYs2k15RtpM0BvIz9rFj1LCC9UPFkWgxh8xPP/s320/Img_1459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Yokomine-ji's main hall (<i>hondo</i>).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qwNS6rFMZCTeISmCqLbUSe5K48gRmpMtmi3V5n_7JXRpx1YUzMb6PTDBTO7sgtKVCqKRyCteR47iL2krmwc2p6krEpbP00koYTJpvZkfJ_8mRzYL9QC-bCZP5bNBXmGVF0k4-8mXy2Pw/s1600/Img_1461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qwNS6rFMZCTeISmCqLbUSe5K48gRmpMtmi3V5n_7JXRpx1YUzMb6PTDBTO7sgtKVCqKRyCteR47iL2krmwc2p6krEpbP00koYTJpvZkfJ_8mRzYL9QC-bCZP5bNBXmGVF0k4-8mXy2Pw/s320/Img_1461.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A line of red <i>torii </i>outside the Yokomine-ji temple compound marking a Shinto shrine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XrehLlaP1EdhoH-3so5MtvW0D0jkfppPZe8uz2M6JsF3v5l7fX-K2ogRM4Dn10GwvpXzwZe9VDsVChds9hc2OHDcfJL8XJTOapmLuPCmkLNOXgep_HSW-bYgO7OGAbxt5xB95gmMBrag/s1600/Img_1476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XrehLlaP1EdhoH-3so5MtvW0D0jkfppPZe8uz2M6JsF3v5l7fX-K2ogRM4Dn10GwvpXzwZe9VDsVChds9hc2OHDcfJL8XJTOapmLuPCmkLNOXgep_HSW-bYgO7OGAbxt5xB95gmMBrag/s320/Img_1476.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I passed under a "cloud" of purple azaleas on the descent from Yokomine-ji to Kouon-ji (Temple 61).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhI6CIkfD05Ca1rn_7MiucjgyLygVvpZR7xb8-SpDsmZwqpeeWMWH12FrSjGAcolQWjJXdP0OHWBb3HoXwuf2svjQy43FaMcO2BTfXnN_cytBIpu2GMn3CAZWph0ToDmp9e3ON9hq8ZOo/s1600/Img_1482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhI6CIkfD05Ca1rn_7MiucjgyLygVvpZR7xb8-SpDsmZwqpeeWMWH12FrSjGAcolQWjJXdP0OHWBb3HoXwuf2svjQy43FaMcO2BTfXnN_cytBIpu2GMn3CAZWph0ToDmp9e3ON9hq8ZOo/s320/Img_1482.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Path marker on the trail between Yokomine-ji and Kouon-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOU1RVoUA3VS1afAg9EC4A_XTI6waKRHR5aoBbOjh4HbBlq93ZMzBcqS90zCNuc4EVhVP7EzKYu7_VlIpNVMEjhGpweFhhrgUAhfSizm4CxX0BniOzyPSAhrrVkusJyc6c0GtQNKTk-O4/s1600/Img_1488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOU1RVoUA3VS1afAg9EC4A_XTI6waKRHR5aoBbOjh4HbBlq93ZMzBcqS90zCNuc4EVhVP7EzKYu7_VlIpNVMEjhGpweFhhrgUAhfSizm4CxX0BniOzyPSAhrrVkusJyc6c0GtQNKTk-O4/s320/Img_1488.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Two fellow <i>henro </i>in the trail between Yokomine-ji and Kouon-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnat3fJ2yWzjxellQS3Z9QTd3h5uq83ApFJU2FBGWM9kseC8aIvT1JNXWYhRxSWsp4j7umI3cjr5A17NfJMcv9NEDo8FE8RsQRNSeCL6ghj4PeTxKilP7-GZA1eEo7AS5YDJx2_ZTyA6vd/s1600/Img_1496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnat3fJ2yWzjxellQS3Z9QTd3h5uq83ApFJU2FBGWM9kseC8aIvT1JNXWYhRxSWsp4j7umI3cjr5A17NfJMcv9NEDo8FE8RsQRNSeCL6ghj4PeTxKilP7-GZA1eEo7AS5YDJx2_ZTyA6vd/s320/Img_1496.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A henro passes beneath blossoming cherry trees on the way to Kouon-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirdFAHP9HkuyzkhhbHPL0zXRS6C7oGfIZMRedddM_zySlonbFDG3tWAykGVsHjhmEmecf52rzHjlGJAsI7j8BZXL77P-E6k4NLDt-rbBfn4JoaKAyCcFypQoZwaxxZLGAD03rplQETC1A/s1600/Img_1513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirdFAHP9HkuyzkhhbHPL0zXRS6C7oGfIZMRedddM_zySlonbFDG3tWAykGVsHjhmEmecf52rzHjlGJAsI7j8BZXL77P-E6k4NLDt-rbBfn4JoaKAyCcFypQoZwaxxZLGAD03rplQETC1A/s320/Img_1513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
An abundance of flowering cherry trees in the parking lot at Kouon-ji (Temple 61).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev7RKeNqSLQvyAX8iQR7VahQZLD_biguQSFfoXIEYXig5yDuldTq3gzEOTtJ0x1LqX25lwVR5m8zYpm0Xox_gSVXG0V5fsF1bKkJwm9fDjPQPNr00tllV9gMDyTIweX1QTGOyK12sTgJa/s1600/Img_1516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev7RKeNqSLQvyAX8iQR7VahQZLD_biguQSFfoXIEYXig5yDuldTq3gzEOTtJ0x1LqX25lwVR5m8zYpm0Xox_gSVXG0V5fsF1bKkJwm9fDjPQPNr00tllV9gMDyTIweX1QTGOyK12sTgJa/s320/Img_1516.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Cherry blossoms soften the severe, drab, industrial looking facade of the main hall (<i>hondo</i>) at Kouon-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjm2l1cHbN-EcTEaxD4mDOH-iLtnrI-ecaOq5NE5Rhod_ZMijkNoF8sB3j2SH68t5A8buHPoawGvumlYGOixa0yDd6zteXsArQHbb827uYjoaORX_7Bb4OyWD9vWDww2el_HaAmxQllJV/s1600/Img_1524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjm2l1cHbN-EcTEaxD4mDOH-iLtnrI-ecaOq5NE5Rhod_ZMijkNoF8sB3j2SH68t5A8buHPoawGvumlYGOixa0yDd6zteXsArQHbb827uYjoaORX_7Bb4OyWD9vWDww2el_HaAmxQllJV/s320/Img_1524.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Kouon-ji's bell tower and cherry blossoms!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UjcG8sOTOzJlf-4JwfmMR9t6ZT86T4eyewWa2lmu4dP9atVBzH2r2Gp4EKM-zfFyC_EFLFM3XnrOJ2lPfPVtt23DUH3xzij11m7j4eQkuxwd_kQJN9Vnq9VVxU3TMoJn2AQ2DjUWoiHC/s1600/Img_1530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UjcG8sOTOzJlf-4JwfmMR9t6ZT86T4eyewWa2lmu4dP9atVBzH2r2Gp4EKM-zfFyC_EFLFM3XnrOJ2lPfPVtt23DUH3xzij11m7j4eQkuxwd_kQJN9Vnq9VVxU3TMoJn2AQ2DjUWoiHC/s320/Img_1530.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From Kouon-ji, I walked to the Iyo-Saijo train station where I caught a train back to Saijo City. Next to the train station is Temple 62 (Houju-ji) which was playing host to a group of <i>henro </i>chanting a sutra.</div>
Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-4776742041517254062013-04-02T07:47:00.000-07:002013-04-03T07:48:03.053-07:00Hotsumisaki-ji (Temple 24) and Konomine-ji (Temple 27)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5ogzUhdmtKnDcuoOIRTTqbPqmj9XGk1fg8MDUX7CQCOGy9ZaxpzJNFnWVjE882SdmNLRIL31G6ThZvZf1CqMw8lWnnCQpfFn9Z1I13YKKwQcEIgaL9EFQZgwEuCoxEUYg-DSCYpfnARe/s1600/Img_1235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5ogzUhdmtKnDcuoOIRTTqbPqmj9XGk1fg8MDUX7CQCOGy9ZaxpzJNFnWVjE882SdmNLRIL31G6ThZvZf1CqMw8lWnnCQpfFn9Z1I13YKKwQcEIgaL9EFQZgwEuCoxEUYg-DSCYpfnARe/s320/Img_1235.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Morning in an ocean-front room at the Utoco Deep Sea Therapy Center and Hotel at Cape Muroto. Modern European-style elegance in Japan. Fabulous Italian food with a Japanese influence using local ingredients and highlighting the bounty of the sea!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCmu3JpsU_ILb_R8H0E-cDhTSes9RN2rjUiyst6JWKeR6ms7rr6Aqui2aV1wNkT9ujnATZwzFT1L-M-FeNWDo8sNOexTG00BbF1g2fx5p2jOwoisKVzKR8wd2Q6sY3ka3vggQYBcLIi3W/s1600/Img_1240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCmu3JpsU_ILb_R8H0E-cDhTSes9RN2rjUiyst6JWKeR6ms7rr6Aqui2aV1wNkT9ujnATZwzFT1L-M-FeNWDo8sNOexTG00BbF1g2fx5p2jOwoisKVzKR8wd2Q6sY3ka3vggQYBcLIi3W/s320/Img_1240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Seaside path in the Muroto Geopark which highlights the geological features of the Cape Muroto area. The Muroto Geopark is part of the Global Geoparks Network, a program supported by UNESCO.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsSzMbVtqTzonJkV9bbrYWaOh1ywWBYd0VbmpzYCxarXknopGaWg3x-eWx77M1-8M-rsf2UUWo2o0rDX7bXnd9tc2Y6z4ETY7-MVSvkqo7m04MxfnCQhyEB2Ft5r0DV76l6spactYy0zk/s1600/Img_1257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsSzMbVtqTzonJkV9bbrYWaOh1ywWBYd0VbmpzYCxarXknopGaWg3x-eWx77M1-8M-rsf2UUWo2o0rDX7bXnd9tc2Y6z4ETY7-MVSvkqo7m04MxfnCQhyEB2Ft5r0DV76l6spactYy0zk/s320/Img_1257.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Roots of akō trees (a subtropical evergreen and member of the mulberry family) cling picturesquely to the boulders at Cape Muroto.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnZwnywxaTej3RktLFBCX8dhwXl9A9dlt29nXOGfXw2X96-kOxNCA3QGgeFozlGrxZc8rdbQSOR8FIffskaQV6XMY6mZZwbKCytxjBrAGGKWtlGmbmbbpmQhJLlRBwnzG7ngppis9M2TC/s1600/Img_1271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnZwnywxaTej3RktLFBCX8dhwXl9A9dlt29nXOGfXw2X96-kOxNCA3QGgeFozlGrxZc8rdbQSOR8FIffskaQV6XMY6mZZwbKCytxjBrAGGKWtlGmbmbbpmQhJLlRBwnzG7ngppis9M2TC/s320/Img_1271.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fellow henro ascending the trail to Hotsumisaki Temple (Temple 24) at Cape Muroto.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5dYUcwZ6u-46gXMr6S3nsZ4pOh0UH_6zSDVtXCzAVcv3Ov8nwUE2Km7L1jBDgWmch7ToVvkt-05jHFxlaU7l_38SMXxLknbbhH7rfZEAGCcZ5hHzXaeVWXgyYln7XQSjRSYSZC4-q-VA/s1600/Img_1279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5dYUcwZ6u-46gXMr6S3nsZ4pOh0UH_6zSDVtXCzAVcv3Ov8nwUE2Km7L1jBDgWmch7ToVvkt-05jHFxlaU7l_38SMXxLknbbhH7rfZEAGCcZ5hHzXaeVWXgyYln7XQSjRSYSZC4-q-VA/s320/Img_1279.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The main gate at Hotsumisaki-ji.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLx6b0nbT5KyhFzA9EO-8fv43PZeAYmYMINCnMPIQX-U1tmK8rmeMeWbH8TNllzRdg6Ezn72gQ-9B-jQ97wP6ek-Rvr_MdWNHwKj9HcGiIzKJ1BMXi86ThtqNkqdm8x938TTi5TWg_vpAj/s1600/Img_1281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLx6b0nbT5KyhFzA9EO-8fv43PZeAYmYMINCnMPIQX-U1tmK8rmeMeWbH8TNllzRdg6Ezn72gQ-9B-jQ97wP6ek-Rvr_MdWNHwKj9HcGiIzKJ1BMXi86ThtqNkqdm8x938TTi5TWg_vpAj/s320/Img_1281.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The beautiful main hall (<i>hondo</i>) at Hotsumisaki-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvQgUk4Oum5TV297OvOvRXeUR8EFz4qqih3uUvGUlYrQBHLMlWqbWGTzwstPfnCd2v8fJmpKq26UyGiEVgxfw1ztwQShWiIIF_4o6-ZM66HEcV2Ij6rHrBncfSDgUa3RrlYzXAg1zqZ2Y/s1600/Img_1292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvQgUk4Oum5TV297OvOvRXeUR8EFz4qqih3uUvGUlYrQBHLMlWqbWGTzwstPfnCd2v8fJmpKq26UyGiEVgxfw1ztwQShWiIIF_4o6-ZM66HEcV2Ij6rHrBncfSDgUa3RrlYzXAg1zqZ2Y/s320/Img_1292.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Pagodo at Hotsumisaki-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6K9Lo3YQ0PtZn8V568KUjJwdscnXxQqAvfXy2KcotfxUYaBQU8ypRNGEslMBuIeqUQtinXoTqGKXA98rHXSYMNhMeKRkC-gReSgfIu_jVetgEvtiyJ7y8scx34vIidhCFxnLyt8qxqX3/s1600/Img_1306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6K9Lo3YQ0PtZn8V568KUjJwdscnXxQqAvfXy2KcotfxUYaBQU8ypRNGEslMBuIeqUQtinXoTqGKXA98rHXSYMNhMeKRkC-gReSgfIu_jVetgEvtiyJ7y8scx34vIidhCFxnLyt8qxqX3/s320/Img_1306.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At Hotsumisaki-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok2KC8TEWExNf_eht4EWmKybT1lKt3a3xPv2_s0dvm1LiISEwrCeryCO6LEmgc3EwVLvPD2jkqzZX933Umy0jXtOFONSyaENNTGWnpw80wT_xUC899RcuEPP6j0VwrxI4Aac6TOmObC0I/s1600/Img_1326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok2KC8TEWExNf_eht4EWmKybT1lKt3a3xPv2_s0dvm1LiISEwrCeryCO6LEmgc3EwVLvPD2jkqzZX933Umy0jXtOFONSyaENNTGWnpw80wT_xUC899RcuEPP6j0VwrxI4Aac6TOmObC0I/s320/Img_1326.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Azaleas line the path to Konomine-ji from the town of Yasuda.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49lcTAsnT-r4HwVMSCzh-KRNSkTRn5mnE2rPMn8ekz4Xk5Kg4iLHO7pSgELtgKKM8XKbwlNtVQJVW2rFOAwLPpe9BHp55CbhM1Vw4cAoIY0p3FPrCbqOw3qpb5DotrFMVdO3LeDkdVN-w/s1600/Img_1339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49lcTAsnT-r4HwVMSCzh-KRNSkTRn5mnE2rPMn8ekz4Xk5Kg4iLHO7pSgELtgKKM8XKbwlNtVQJVW2rFOAwLPpe9BHp55CbhM1Vw4cAoIY0p3FPrCbqOw3qpb5DotrFMVdO3LeDkdVN-w/s320/Img_1339.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
High in the hills above Yasuda town en route to Konomine-ji. Blossoming cherry trees speckle the hillsides!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNiYsPp9qPirwUDFsdr0Dn31dS_Ip24UHyBJAegXbdFqGChZrUmz-zvTG6VUSkh3RGHWOnbERP_2EMiXNY43QxG0Aj0hW11m-JRQzYcdXXYlvjWKtZhp8YeaseTdCJfcBF795e26DGawo/s1600/Img_1340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNiYsPp9qPirwUDFsdr0Dn31dS_Ip24UHyBJAegXbdFqGChZrUmz-zvTG6VUSkh3RGHWOnbERP_2EMiXNY43QxG0Aj0hW11m-JRQzYcdXXYlvjWKtZhp8YeaseTdCJfcBF795e26DGawo/s320/Img_1340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The quiet path leading up to Konomine-ji (Temple 27).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoZl53kKJDAl_N1dCAM-f6BOymmVuKHVxiZmuqziDbZEjp0Q6YSJfVtxexFaCKXu4Jae2aOFQP4lq2CZvlymZ1i2QSlaD61q45vH9x5TvLVbYRHZKDRUtMIBFd3RMTtVqjSYHbpV_dTML/s1600/Img_1344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoZl53kKJDAl_N1dCAM-f6BOymmVuKHVxiZmuqziDbZEjp0Q6YSJfVtxexFaCKXu4Jae2aOFQP4lq2CZvlymZ1i2QSlaD61q45vH9x5TvLVbYRHZKDRUtMIBFd3RMTtVqjSYHbpV_dTML/s320/Img_1344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Close-up of the cherry blossoms along the path to Konomine-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeEA_FI3MfRn2ccSKJXmS-wmugSphva7n77rcFP1KR8hUF34QRDfZNpk_pmcoyc4y-ys9Y3B5wIJENMQS3tEbHw3JpB0jkEOpZoQOi9-HF_mRDflIRzf08uKg8XwPCyPVH6qsu4nm3I-S/s1600/Img_1363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeEA_FI3MfRn2ccSKJXmS-wmugSphva7n77rcFP1KR8hUF34QRDfZNpk_pmcoyc4y-ys9Y3B5wIJENMQS3tEbHw3JpB0jkEOpZoQOi9-HF_mRDflIRzf08uKg8XwPCyPVH6qsu4nm3I-S/s320/Img_1363.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At the mountain temple of Konomine-ji. The temple is built on a steep slope, to the different part of the temple at located at different levels.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTt7gTJLdEupCFwDMCrAWjtw1Gd9rHzGp1M3aZ7V-DtgEwC5VwMXNpUmZfldSTQRZdz5o917iZ9SwEukYZH-_xpM09u2NQ3CEXuWY8GNIJwnDjceINeUWh6qRhKwB-_9RSHSFUxcUzvriw/s1600/Img_1370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTt7gTJLdEupCFwDMCrAWjtw1Gd9rHzGp1M3aZ7V-DtgEwC5VwMXNpUmZfldSTQRZdz5o917iZ9SwEukYZH-_xpM09u2NQ3CEXuWY8GNIJwnDjceINeUWh6qRhKwB-_9RSHSFUxcUzvriw/s320/Img_1370.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bell tower and "clouds" of azaleas at Konomine-ji.</div>
Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-73783259718724698272013-04-01T07:15:00.000-07:002013-04-02T07:15:50.188-07:00Fujidera (Temple 11) to Shosan-ji (Temple 12)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkRfM4BwL6mG85VFj6pn5-1USzCFypv6P2pW4W3P2g9HGMHWrzPty3XTdQdatmeQYEiFyjFc8zvOxzmesDgf32SSl7ugQtimzG-Ds41WFe7U_BWKEIL5m0QEbe1G_pmXVqMdlmPkDYRor/s1600/Img_1116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkRfM4BwL6mG85VFj6pn5-1USzCFypv6P2pW4W3P2g9HGMHWrzPty3XTdQdatmeQYEiFyjFc8zvOxzmesDgf32SSl7ugQtimzG-Ds41WFe7U_BWKEIL5m0QEbe1G_pmXVqMdlmPkDYRor/s320/Img_1116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Pilgrims (<i>henro</i>) arriving at Fujidera (Temple 11) in the foothills of the mountains south of the Yoshino River Valley. Here, I received my first <i>o-settai</i> (a gift to a henro) from a little girl who was distributing them to pilgrims with her family. My <i>o-settai</i> was a small bag filled with a canned beverage and snacks for the trail!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjWv45UnJ2sbSFkWLk6McxEQF_-nke4bZ-NZciqLcjkobX3r85TXNISW8_Bo5cr8hH626v6ZQJnYbpVEip_-HpOYYYg6USZhx7G9RLW-0cQjxbnoZioVlw2YlZz3y4cgHephpqMoWOm8B/s1600/Img_1130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjWv45UnJ2sbSFkWLk6McxEQF_-nke4bZ-NZciqLcjkobX3r85TXNISW8_Bo5cr8hH626v6ZQJnYbpVEip_-HpOYYYg6USZhx7G9RLW-0cQjxbnoZioVlw2YlZz3y4cgHephpqMoWOm8B/s320/Img_1130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The trail, signed to Shosan-ji (Temple 12), leaves the temple compound at Fujidera.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdummHLU_uaslA8xqn0kYjvwcDgZ-VTUqbGMe30EWOsD-1dnC-Tv7_wG2DycKOqYfs27ol3eOgR3mSAnK4OketqvnMvRJb0ki8WBfZRJ1z3mT6ZH2pCoX3xtj-JOr4HK0qTegj3Zz50DPg/s1600/Img_1148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdummHLU_uaslA8xqn0kYjvwcDgZ-VTUqbGMe30EWOsD-1dnC-Tv7_wG2DycKOqYfs27ol3eOgR3mSAnK4OketqvnMvRJb0ki8WBfZRJ1z3mT6ZH2pCoX3xtj-JOr4HK0qTegj3Zz50DPg/s320/Img_1148.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After gaining a bit of elevation, a fine view opened up across the valley of the Yoshinogawa (Yoshino River).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPDpAQ8Kk_ewuUzRTi3R5IrgGk-uGswFltWwNpP-HSQAH1DG_Gzhy60i-JQH4XNTcBgiabwz2vx9CFORs9cGCMBLmj7ELCwHl9cBBlUY8lHo3EPZVs6CtMVL1FSP1-0-XwMmT_xIaX0-X/s1600/Img_1146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPDpAQ8Kk_ewuUzRTi3R5IrgGk-uGswFltWwNpP-HSQAH1DG_Gzhy60i-JQH4XNTcBgiabwz2vx9CFORs9cGCMBLmj7ELCwHl9cBBlUY8lHo3EPZVs6CtMVL1FSP1-0-XwMmT_xIaX0-X/s320/Img_1146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The trail climbs steadily from Fujidera finally reaching the crest of a ridge. Shortly thereafter, I came upon the small ridge-top shine of Chodo-an.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fDu-MRTCq-ymeq7uOioTOnRsqb_TPLCxUNk-7oVwQjQZiqV8ebX1ARu_m517uIMmKm5HxJFdwtoozq5-Ql4yqw5DFnNw5L05amn-cL0Xa-rYf5Eev0PeLX7W0U4sINUFcAnoLHSeUFvW/s1600/Img_1149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fDu-MRTCq-ymeq7uOioTOnRsqb_TPLCxUNk-7oVwQjQZiqV8ebX1ARu_m517uIMmKm5HxJFdwtoozq5-Ql4yqw5DFnNw5L05amn-cL0Xa-rYf5Eev0PeLX7W0U4sINUFcAnoLHSeUFvW/s320/Img_1149.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From Chodo-an, the trail continued along the forested ridge. On this section, much of the path was level or gently undulating. Here's a particularly nice section of the trail. After awhile the path began a steady descent to the shrine of Ryusui-an.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW_vLCgSsow6T-z5BI92WOcZcXRCv3vAd_mhqVpPwdTyYgJwTIH6drd_cjZcRHaY9COuV72Vx74YWe0128W1rhXyf0qD5TCEJyuZ73q1yMOTkQy-nH8Xkx5i3afMJEIW06Nc3CzLyZENc/s1600/Img_1163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW_vLCgSsow6T-z5BI92WOcZcXRCv3vAd_mhqVpPwdTyYgJwTIH6drd_cjZcRHaY9COuV72Vx74YWe0128W1rhXyf0qD5TCEJyuZ73q1yMOTkQy-nH8Xkx5i3afMJEIW06Nc3CzLyZENc/s320/Img_1163.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At Ryusui-an shrine, a cherry tree was blooming. Actually the forested hillsides all around me were speckled with flowering cherry trees, but I couldn't find a good spot for a clear photo.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw9VsxwYvduBQdvrtSto88W6wA9GE1uXno4Z1bWF3ULDYYc9bTypcd5iG2VV1XnmpEVwZo2cKQ4xcVBL-V2mGl-I04ROv66961jQOb8RMiyyH3ZLorB1MzvrLYtZwwTi4D8TOP3SRkuFK/s1600/Img_1183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw9VsxwYvduBQdvrtSto88W6wA9GE1uXno4Z1bWF3ULDYYc9bTypcd5iG2VV1XnmpEVwZo2cKQ4xcVBL-V2mGl-I04ROv66961jQOb8RMiyyH3ZLorB1MzvrLYtZwwTi4D8TOP3SRkuFK/s320/Img_1183.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After Ryusui-an, the trail pitched upward again, climbing to reach this statue of Kobo Daishi in front of a very large cedar tree (known as <i>Ippon Sugi</i>) at the shrine of Joren-an.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsZTHWphulm8Kw0ixVquZ-2TFtHcTIt7rKS6IncrlQLWvvLw4SScO58pzz3Ex3kSpnZ07jHvEewib3aicNCTiNDCWXVWpOc3YgBHgnk1S9Vd6sbA87-nnDp5vyl3M7EkHUlsfN3oL5K-p/s1600/Img_1188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsZTHWphulm8Kw0ixVquZ-2TFtHcTIt7rKS6IncrlQLWvvLw4SScO58pzz3Ex3kSpnZ07jHvEewib3aicNCTiNDCWXVWpOc3YgBHgnk1S9Vd6sbA87-nnDp5vyl3M7EkHUlsfN3oL5K-p/s320/Img_1188.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The path then descended into a stream valley reaching a farm road near fruit orchard. Here, I saw a family on <i>henro </i>on their way to Shosan-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuNsjgedWdoODNvbb7U97keCGZ5heDottYKZ5_I4oaThVJ2YKAVVrHfVVHy2Cc2WnPeEWnZ__dtKE-X_1I39bgxYJIdSl42GAJUV2DPTYpUttKU-QXARv7a4oBGNtpSYSxZn1wG7nGDDy/s1600/Img_1193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuNsjgedWdoODNvbb7U97keCGZ5heDottYKZ5_I4oaThVJ2YKAVVrHfVVHy2Cc2WnPeEWnZ__dtKE-X_1I39bgxYJIdSl42GAJUV2DPTYpUttKU-QXARv7a4oBGNtpSYSxZn1wG7nGDDy/s320/Img_1193.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Flowering quince beside the path as I passed through a small farming village on the last stretch to Shosan-ji.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZdUcp4kqLZuZPNehP2x7M7nVrz9l-OINmouVtPiN3WIN7QV-4G_owt-Ty5TTzMfDaRuW4O9qt3FFx-3QA2byic33h0USnDbCciIYR4mWmiPeVhimyDpsZMVPD_0vaapaAiEWrTUN5Jzd/s1600/Img_1199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZdUcp4kqLZuZPNehP2x7M7nVrz9l-OINmouVtPiN3WIN7QV-4G_owt-Ty5TTzMfDaRuW4O9qt3FFx-3QA2byic33h0USnDbCciIYR4mWmiPeVhimyDpsZMVPD_0vaapaAiEWrTUN5Jzd/s320/Img_1199.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The final uphill push to Shosan-ji. It was uphill all the way, but I set a steady pace, didn't stop and was up at the top before I knew it. The sign reads <i>henro korogashi </i>("where the henro falls down"), a reference to the steep nature of the path.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBmdNH1t5PAohXa2VJBdk0OjHaWv87a17U-UFIT-nw3go4kIvWlyc95rHf8ZktxlS39r50scP5TzuGmkP7Zr2Y26Ufw6GRVBfRCKMvG3qxI4tSt-t6kQUWyZOnnIsVvNUhs5j5sRYhkoY/s1600/Img_1204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBmdNH1t5PAohXa2VJBdk0OjHaWv87a17U-UFIT-nw3go4kIvWlyc95rHf8ZktxlS39r50scP5TzuGmkP7Zr2Y26Ufw6GRVBfRCKMvG3qxI4tSt-t6kQUWyZOnnIsVvNUhs5j5sRYhkoY/s320/Img_1204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Finally, the beautiful mountain temple of Shosan-ji. I made the hike from Fujidera to Shosan-ji in 3 hours and 50 minutes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-62332535043838197012013-03-31T06:00:00.001-07:002013-03-31T06:00:31.847-07:00Nagao-ji (Temple 87) to Ookubo-ji (Temple 88)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTAql7SvUCNDZ7z8gYREJXYKSxozYgH1Q7q4mli_-zy6mnnN8Cfikd1pl7z3oQMzoesvWD7LrW8dCrdjIwq09nfyPcTQNJyoiJXEW-WHAaEp5xSx-XiDJ2ix7g2p5jXPqfhHUsyrRGu5z/s1600/Img_1044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTAql7SvUCNDZ7z8gYREJXYKSxozYgH1Q7q4mli_-zy6mnnN8Cfikd1pl7z3oQMzoesvWD7LrW8dCrdjIwq09nfyPcTQNJyoiJXEW-WHAaEp5xSx-XiDJ2ix7g2p5jXPqfhHUsyrRGu5z/s320/Img_1044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Cherry blossoms at Temple 87 (Nagao-ji). Today I did the walk from Nagao-ji to Ookubo-ji (Temple 88) with Dave Turkington and David Moreton. It was overcast most of the day, but we had no rain at all. Actually, great conditions for hiking!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCExrSeFGGq39L7n6cWWHgmjhlJxXFzthIbcTHYFJUOp70ghLlbPKuZ2OeMY7ienAqZKNy1BN94Cot3vyv46sf7BKCZWFRFb3_-7m3mrmvq1XXR5dVUI1eof4g-KMN3Ai3oEoGzzxrqNy1/s1600/Img_1054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCExrSeFGGq39L7n6cWWHgmjhlJxXFzthIbcTHYFJUOp70ghLlbPKuZ2OeMY7ienAqZKNy1BN94Cot3vyv46sf7BKCZWFRFb3_-7m3mrmvq1XXR5dVUI1eof4g-KMN3Ai3oEoGzzxrqNy1/s320/Img_1054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Azaleas blooming alongside the path near the Maeyama Dam.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA82NT2Zpi-lvI2Xv631YUT5LutE_cuzezr_Hqs25IILzpX2ViR8aTK_jE2QWWc6q_hB0PdqlJiIDLNix6MyH_Im4iN2Wi4w2RRUqwYE53oH_GLi8rK3dwns9S7e0MyNE-xgflxNNuwUu/s1600/Img_1055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA82NT2Zpi-lvI2Xv631YUT5LutE_cuzezr_Hqs25IILzpX2ViR8aTK_jE2QWWc6q_hB0PdqlJiIDLNix6MyH_Im4iN2Wi4w2RRUqwYE53oH_GLi8rK3dwns9S7e0MyNE-xgflxNNuwUu/s320/Img_1055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Sakura blooming on the shores of the lake at Maeyama Dam.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWiyG4GnkPO2hibxEDFTkZ_A1j7-26nMAQBC5wzy6iNLYxLzneznEX3ygx3dYEk_Mj48xdZ224jtrC6IIzSvw8I_TInU-7pKL3xkfYPwRpQYP5lnYFK0zexFLgflbM7FfDjYIQNfDlUAR/s1600/Img_1060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWiyG4GnkPO2hibxEDFTkZ_A1j7-26nMAQBC5wzy6iNLYxLzneznEX3ygx3dYEk_Mj48xdZ224jtrC6IIzSvw8I_TInU-7pKL3xkfYPwRpQYP5lnYFK0zexFLgflbM7FfDjYIQNfDlUAR/s320/Img_1060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Beautiful stretch of trail along a forest stream on our way to the summit of Nyotai-san.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJltJenVPNVh9Y70wZ08HgU5sgsR-aOFmTr8tgiphVg-EBcKjbEbn6yw2q_0TWmsAf6U2uOGBrOkqMTr-tVgKTLxh0aR3N__4FmBOIrRP-_mp9VK0RtM59nicYlbszhROM_BbD6_JmUZC7/s1600/Img_1070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJltJenVPNVh9Y70wZ08HgU5sgsR-aOFmTr8tgiphVg-EBcKjbEbn6yw2q_0TWmsAf6U2uOGBrOkqMTr-tVgKTLxh0aR3N__4FmBOIrRP-_mp9VK0RtM59nicYlbszhROM_BbD6_JmUZC7/s320/Img_1070.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Ascending the trail to the summit of Nyotai-san from where it'll be all downhill to Temple 88 (Ookubo-ji).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobu67kqmYgYAlD6bhxrEZ57z4ejMf-bbfoSEK4s9_aHoxeeld8vgAquNg1AQ3mCkXo3KJQRIgqheFXOV4g7CR6WFyxVwyvkgnf1BCX80wxzJx6DHb0O9KirIbCZsN-J0EXzXp_odiL4iF/s1600/Img_1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobu67kqmYgYAlD6bhxrEZ57z4ejMf-bbfoSEK4s9_aHoxeeld8vgAquNg1AQ3mCkXo3KJQRIgqheFXOV4g7CR6WFyxVwyvkgnf1BCX80wxzJx6DHb0O9KirIbCZsN-J0EXzXp_odiL4iF/s320/Img_1077.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Looking back at the well-built trail on the ascent to the peak of Nyotai-san.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26qwLN_m9QxO3aZ1a8PaEUQs1NfkLAFZVt7J7qN5zjDs6K-caXKvkiS2CXCkYSfByJwxTEmLKxLU6YZmVY731Std6-EyNw9O59DOZQO8qx2cVn6ZGvhic1ycUE0KNFvEEpkMjXtXgEjIQ/s1600/Img_1081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26qwLN_m9QxO3aZ1a8PaEUQs1NfkLAFZVt7J7qN5zjDs6K-caXKvkiS2CXCkYSfByJwxTEmLKxLU6YZmVY731Std6-EyNw9O59DOZQO8qx2cVn6ZGvhic1ycUE0KNFvEEpkMjXtXgEjIQ/s320/Img_1081.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Final stretch of trail before we reached the small shrine on the top of Nyotai-san.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjYfBXBfAvOMC0QyWVcPdYVtiHDAsnZ1sGcIQvxZzOrPjHDZ_fPM7m4w9P9Vj8TtM3FRxw_MbLHNah7YPbI3Kd3V6dIFUggWWre1vIo-1fjuIPUFehy0d1x1CsuV8mg8do3iJYX6Ty3yX/s1600/Img_1091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjYfBXBfAvOMC0QyWVcPdYVtiHDAsnZ1sGcIQvxZzOrPjHDZ_fPM7m4w9P9Vj8TtM3FRxw_MbLHNah7YPbI3Kd3V6dIFUggWWre1vIo-1fjuIPUFehy0d1x1CsuV8mg8do3iJYX6Ty3yX/s320/Img_1091.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The summit marker on the flat-topped and wooded peak of Nyotai-san.<span style="text-align: center;"> From here, through breaks in the trees, we could see the Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai) that separates the island of Shikoku from Japan's main island of Honshu.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuDuBT0gmgA7tL1fzg4PpJtbNXvK6V8VJR5_mfkT1QDiXl3LUYNsyNGBovHa-AjSpfZWGsC5md06NnSy2RVOuSH87x0huPdMKJF0xf9dQjuRRcDmZixB1D5PvNom0YmtTpx2wQ-B0ptXA/s1600/Img_1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuDuBT0gmgA7tL1fzg4PpJtbNXvK6V8VJR5_mfkT1QDiXl3LUYNsyNGBovHa-AjSpfZWGsC5md06NnSy2RVOuSH87x0huPdMKJF0xf9dQjuRRcDmZixB1D5PvNom0YmtTpx2wQ-B0ptXA/s320/Img_1094.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From the summit of Nyotai-san, it was a steady descent to Ookubo-ji with occasional (and welcome) stretches of level trail.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZFVXiALkpsjAGH8RZTUJP84VB360qK7DEXpEZTJw-Mj_qyTDykaBx3C9IpBOYQwCmO3uscdL-BRrPeNCA5Rnc-npby1IdwI0diADF4kOPrxv54sivdJ9BK2SGD8-JDjId_mUxaXJWicU/s1600/Img_1097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZFVXiALkpsjAGH8RZTUJP84VB360qK7DEXpEZTJw-Mj_qyTDykaBx3C9IpBOYQwCmO3uscdL-BRrPeNCA5Rnc-npby1IdwI0diADF4kOPrxv54sivdJ9BK2SGD8-JDjId_mUxaXJWicU/s320/Img_1097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The stepped trail leading down to Temple 88 (Ookubo-ji).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins7jkZsid4fYh_xGrrAQh60Hm7XEOiQaWha_hMJeZglEvD_mLTnxlec0n17LfG6zrb99s2ijitZR5tmELLxvxwaYAgn1aoORXQ79t5NHZN6zTXvARKh7q10_6Isp3BzChurS64Fq2rwSs/s1600/Img_1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins7jkZsid4fYh_xGrrAQh60Hm7XEOiQaWha_hMJeZglEvD_mLTnxlec0n17LfG6zrb99s2ijitZR5tmELLxvxwaYAgn1aoORXQ79t5NHZN6zTXvARKh7q10_6Isp3BzChurS64Fq2rwSs/s320/Img_1096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Alongside the trail, magnolia blossoms brightened the way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME3IDK_M9PJvZprpgpsOZDWHSC5YCTAkl_3WTDaN6Dvbehyl5Xz_P5YQDXD6RfothnjMHi7nIrSJ3HbHCyXj8nXye3MWqFIFJX93AuFDY3sNKfJPI5F0NwuzCx29KFHbT6wdRTut64uLr/s1600/Img_1103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME3IDK_M9PJvZprpgpsOZDWHSC5YCTAkl_3WTDaN6Dvbehyl5Xz_P5YQDXD6RfothnjMHi7nIrSJ3HbHCyXj8nXye3MWqFIFJX93AuFDY3sNKfJPI5F0NwuzCx29KFHbT6wdRTut64uLr/s320/Img_1103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Temple 88 (Ookubo-ji). As the last temple of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage, it's known as the Temple of the Completion of the Vow.</div>
Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-12069731311259231912013-03-30T04:17:00.000-07:002013-03-30T04:19:55.570-07:00On the Shikoku no michi: Hiwasa to Yamagawachi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEdAu_Me8ZV5dnuLYhP_UaRxdPL6ewQmPXO8lzIXBeC7NBN9BWYVFCYD12fkQvEI18vTFmsbKdF0UrJbQOu9lZlNr6oDU3gfLAkQcL3jFoAdVdAPFciWh92hKjCi1DA5zgwXvGJsVosqj/s1600/Img_0993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEdAu_Me8ZV5dnuLYhP_UaRxdPL6ewQmPXO8lzIXBeC7NBN9BWYVFCYD12fkQvEI18vTFmsbKdF0UrJbQOu9lZlNr6oDU3gfLAkQcL3jFoAdVdAPFciWh92hKjCi1DA5zgwXvGJsVosqj/s320/Img_0993.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Sunny day in Tokushima, Shikoku island, Japan. Took the train to Hiwasa town this morning with David Moreton for a visit to Yakuo-ji (Temple 23 on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage) and a walk along the cliff-edged coastline via the <i>Shikoku no michi</i>. This is a view of Hiwasa town from Yakuoji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqzjPIHyann66TllPaKTCU14hS3hjsgCOD05RhJ6Rbn9CR8Vb85uI8hGDeEz2KhIx2HiG_tp9xEwWpn4e7TeGwL035Aqw71ewNJbd4qcfzFMNPnjhDKzHWjoF_Lv60-pcxqu6iS8gFcj2/s1600/Img_0976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqzjPIHyann66TllPaKTCU14hS3hjsgCOD05RhJ6Rbn9CR8Vb85uI8hGDeEz2KhIx2HiG_tp9xEwWpn4e7TeGwL035Aqw71ewNJbd4qcfzFMNPnjhDKzHWjoF_Lv60-pcxqu6iS8gFcj2/s320/Img_0976.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The sakura (cherry blossoms) were out in full force at Yakuo-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGAnJfSQY7NfhUYHg509dPcAqFFjDnDJjxaKNcH2l1XZ3cnxQthf7nQRldsxB9gbhsQrcsoiGuTvP9C7bSUEVv1IXFvUCbuTvBK0VmDzizSac_Ya9YmyQka2wP4-857si__opMImmxuT4/s1600/Img_0991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGAnJfSQY7NfhUYHg509dPcAqFFjDnDJjxaKNcH2l1XZ3cnxQthf7nQRldsxB9gbhsQrcsoiGuTvP9C7bSUEVv1IXFvUCbuTvBK0VmDzizSac_Ya9YmyQka2wP4-857si__opMImmxuT4/s320/Img_0991.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The distinctive pagoda at Yakuo-ji.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSR2N9VM6xqzS3z-p0C_kmRXvh48iI1mLjgXf5UMoPKG_CAJ82ea-2O0FEEV2kFf9Y28ByjuYj5A4prxmUmtHrQ-ONWYZVMtx18WvHd0FywW8pcAV5bmx0zJzTqOPioDlxkHgGrvJEMJg/s1600/Img_0997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSR2N9VM6xqzS3z-p0C_kmRXvh48iI1mLjgXf5UMoPKG_CAJ82ea-2O0FEEV2kFf9Y28ByjuYj5A4prxmUmtHrQ-ONWYZVMtx18WvHd0FywW8pcAV5bmx0zJzTqOPioDlxkHgGrvJEMJg/s320/Img_0997.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Yakuo-ji as seen from across Hiwasa's harbor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-fOcyiDQNYg6pLcNRKmg2tuWyXxNcVzK4W0q4F1dHwK-bXKOC6Q-iT3WFThzbadoS_dW_8Tat2zq2PMdL3mHmAfGF37aBiEAcVFcUUwVa5VmHlim8wBRcy5uekyyDSUt9No2LEK_rHI3/s1600/Img_0974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-fOcyiDQNYg6pLcNRKmg2tuWyXxNcVzK4W0q4F1dHwK-bXKOC6Q-iT3WFThzbadoS_dW_8Tat2zq2PMdL3mHmAfGF37aBiEAcVFcUUwVa5VmHlim8wBRcy5uekyyDSUt9No2LEK_rHI3/s320/Img_0974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yakuo-ji floating on a pink cloud of cherry blossoms.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJaSZRKdSKU7oLlB0FJEvy_QMTwqJvzX2Y_o-zjgIgad7q2ioUq9opJaLTRUziGjr8shmmysBRX1p5ik_qnKPslDx-Jqo4NlZwt6vvnogpcmDpcnkL2rXWQrvxHU2dQLw-2VbmNH_OFNc/s1600/Img_0988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJaSZRKdSKU7oLlB0FJEvy_QMTwqJvzX2Y_o-zjgIgad7q2ioUq9opJaLTRUziGjr8shmmysBRX1p5ik_qnKPslDx-Jqo4NlZwt6vvnogpcmDpcnkL2rXWQrvxHU2dQLw-2VbmNH_OFNc/s320/Img_0988.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yakuo-ji temple grounds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrw1ojAtQ42acdoCFs0QcJ7XA8UoSODkYQuRmEuGq6Klu9L5xr-CRWpBmHMaJyUEv3sXiiiZ7_Qeet0OEokt_G2BQchP55X63KeWZ8cRvJVDzmMO_Rv3iiB_HmmuoYlO20zP0q5IS2fs_f/s1600/Img_0998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrw1ojAtQ42acdoCFs0QcJ7XA8UoSODkYQuRmEuGq6Klu9L5xr-CRWpBmHMaJyUEv3sXiiiZ7_Qeet0OEokt_G2BQchP55X63KeWZ8cRvJVDzmMO_Rv3iiB_HmmuoYlO20zP0q5IS2fs_f/s320/Img_0998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After the visit to Yakuo-ji, we headed off on our walk along the Shikoku no michi. Near the reconstructed Hiwasa Castle, the Shikoku no michi became a beautiful, broad and level path.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03VD3DIHmOKVIu_5ybBOt8jeeJn-oA3OabeR-Vr2y0M7nLk32gB0EtnfZK8yZ-4zGWCmi4ghODERJYR4gzv0XQ1Wtrl-PV0ybUIkixXo1Q13WVrvHS0x7BDP4BFo9PoG5BaG9k_wnpw8C/s1600/Img_1001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03VD3DIHmOKVIu_5ybBOt8jeeJn-oA3OabeR-Vr2y0M7nLk32gB0EtnfZK8yZ-4zGWCmi4ghODERJYR4gzv0XQ1Wtrl-PV0ybUIkixXo1Q13WVrvHS0x7BDP4BFo9PoG5BaG9k_wnpw8C/s320/Img_1001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The path shortly led us to the top of the cliffs that line Shikoku's eastern shore. We enjoyed beautiful views over the Pacific and up and down the rugged coastline.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpYm7R5MrM8GSQ4PNpXbgFVRv7hAIMng0x5SXTbSPbUbYRMubriw9gKtezDGARgsrIyhnWPPUzTeTCgNhkZzZJOkRj-cKFlZLpwypgMpGdR05G-Lly-Qe2ukDsxa8e9rA-BVaO-66M7y4/s1600/Img_1007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpYm7R5MrM8GSQ4PNpXbgFVRv7hAIMng0x5SXTbSPbUbYRMubriw9gKtezDGARgsrIyhnWPPUzTeTCgNhkZzZJOkRj-cKFlZLpwypgMpGdR05G-Lly-Qe2ukDsxa8e9rA-BVaO-66M7y4/s320/Img_1007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The trail undulated quite a bit, several times gaining elevation before losing it again. It was bit of a workout, but the trail was well-maintained (with some switchbacks and a lot of steps), but the views made it all worthwhile.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznlMd1cy63oiGelNlk7e8x6IURh6MuAKgXIQ2zbG_yNZjKnbbJscUtxjuYlZTLR-Io7gvclaYvOCIHWmg13Ms-cwopeewhxY-fKBOiRclHiUWlonBILcfKGc_QkXfM-x68Q-uAOmV7UZB/s1600/Img_1008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznlMd1cy63oiGelNlk7e8x6IURh6MuAKgXIQ2zbG_yNZjKnbbJscUtxjuYlZTLR-Io7gvclaYvOCIHWmg13Ms-cwopeewhxY-fKBOiRclHiUWlonBILcfKGc_QkXfM-x68Q-uAOmV7UZB/s320/Img_1008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
David on the Shikoku no michi heading toward Yamagawachi on one of the path's gentler stretches.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0qx8QRlq2_J3pEItK9iPNqq6_SHDdgqsEoeAvlW6SwFBdFzDt-hIMqBRDxewzc8-Y9tWTMxCNStGiV6qtJ_a5CobY0gAv152uIRpUqVlxjUs4ixbgcoV_Ccg4C2kyLMPzm2bpcg5QxyU/s1600/Img_1016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0qx8QRlq2_J3pEItK9iPNqq6_SHDdgqsEoeAvlW6SwFBdFzDt-hIMqBRDxewzc8-Y9tWTMxCNStGiV6qtJ_a5CobY0gAv152uIRpUqVlxjUs4ixbgcoV_Ccg4C2kyLMPzm2bpcg5QxyU/s320/Img_1016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And all along the trail there were violets, a variety of ferns and blossoming camellias!</div>
Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-80391348532832044692013-03-06T18:42:00.000-08:002013-03-06T18:42:22.769-08:00Adios, Patagonia!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2yg10Jft7CoPkE_RTqoQLX1l8JpI335T6sH-WblChkzkHhtbfXpOfPCuGkLzAWMEcQLDcYqyCf3QeMrzhvGoIttpvNCOzNkHI0KGRFSHf9O_KoUbLfjopUx2XacCcJNHJX0Nrrq8UCw9/s1600/Img_0860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2yg10Jft7CoPkE_RTqoQLX1l8JpI335T6sH-WblChkzkHhtbfXpOfPCuGkLzAWMEcQLDcYqyCf3QeMrzhvGoIttpvNCOzNkHI0KGRFSHf9O_KoUbLfjopUx2XacCcJNHJX0Nrrq8UCw9/s320/Img_0860.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We are leaving Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, on our way back to El Calafate, Argentina this morning. Here's a parting shot of the Cuernos del Paine (right) as seen over Lago Pehoe from the Hosteria Pehoe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1n8_F3ScE1KcC0wHjmYHuScFrvN1whzyeOHGDnVjN0GDMXvuDSzlGDuYoDlN0qLO8Zwo064PLI_cD6h_V2pVjjV2qEB6HkD16z7iAGWWkXNVglYOF4IXVeG4OLYDU9szvUKXI9cB_Ved/s1600/Img_0866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1n8_F3ScE1KcC0wHjmYHuScFrvN1whzyeOHGDnVjN0GDMXvuDSzlGDuYoDlN0qLO8Zwo064PLI_cD6h_V2pVjjV2qEB6HkD16z7iAGWWkXNVglYOF4IXVeG4OLYDU9szvUKXI9cB_Ved/s320/Img_0866.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We crossed the border from Chile into Argentina (via the Paso Don Guillermo) in good time and shortly thereafter pulled over for some photos of flamingos wading in a shallow pool on the Patagonian steppe.Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-23500204923745200782013-03-05T16:54:00.002-08:002013-03-05T17:24:17.316-08:00Lago Grey and Mirador de los Condores<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS65TSVLzqu4J4X0T8L0Effs7dTrKBpGZXz3Ho_ITqQtPRipCQsvBr6PiReIHEHgGEHpkVfxntSAp_E87aCZj4zRzPfPCVwDfetjoqMGmNEWIy5IS2lz4HltLRRCpslZMarnnOzJwJN2S2/s1600/Img_0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS65TSVLzqu4J4X0T8L0Effs7dTrKBpGZXz3Ho_ITqQtPRipCQsvBr6PiReIHEHgGEHpkVfxntSAp_E87aCZj4zRzPfPCVwDfetjoqMGmNEWIy5IS2lz4HltLRRCpslZMarnnOzJwJN2S2/s320/Img_0841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Lago Pehoe and the Hosteria Pehoe connected to the mainland by a footbridge. The Cuernos del Paine (right) and Paine Grande (left) rise in cloud-shrouded majesty in the background.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nRzPdBo73drCM_YHVrItt6sIJHYfhv6ZLlwRitIz8oUc8HS6LLQ7qACi2vEoQzYma5tunnGdfaoecgIs07985nN-tJl2szAAiKb9e6XvAx4rPCaJ1cX0G4SqUZ5J4AjgC-P4SUduD20T/s1600/Img_0831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nRzPdBo73drCM_YHVrItt6sIJHYfhv6ZLlwRitIz8oUc8HS6LLQ7qACi2vEoQzYma5tunnGdfaoecgIs07985nN-tJl2szAAiKb9e6XvAx4rPCaJ1cX0G4SqUZ5J4AjgC-P4SUduD20T/s320/Img_0831.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Descending from the Mirador de los Condores toward the turquoise-blue Lago Pehoe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFiD-22eS7-nQf_0V0h7IwO_Ewz5iIy3IcwH05yYKkpJUcdCe8COM52D5-Nz-OdTLaMa-wR_w2KGal9G3M9kNa8_UWT5UAQnxP4egbF8cP64z71zMI8UgmamYJk1va0NI2uAsHBuH9Ixk/s1600/Img_0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFiD-22eS7-nQf_0V0h7IwO_Ewz5iIy3IcwH05yYKkpJUcdCe8COM52D5-Nz-OdTLaMa-wR_w2KGal9G3M9kNa8_UWT5UAQnxP4egbF8cP64z71zMI8UgmamYJk1va0NI2uAsHBuH9Ixk/s320/Img_0823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Feeling the winds of Patagonia at the Mirador de los Condores above Lago Pehoe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhM210x7GO2YB15lp9SSd7Cr7vLhT2mU3D2wnxIWW13-Iage_pNZIcSbU0e6RRisbNzYDy-3oao68QadRs3Rm2ijK2HuuEKB2K_MGitVV6560evJE1Q4Ldn3G8KO0yWHeMQqneGzssWzx/s1600/Img_0802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhM210x7GO2YB15lp9SSd7Cr7vLhT2mU3D2wnxIWW13-Iage_pNZIcSbU0e6RRisbNzYDy-3oao68QadRs3Rm2ijK2HuuEKB2K_MGitVV6560evJE1Q4Ldn3G8KO0yWHeMQqneGzssWzx/s320/Img_0802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Salto Grande and rainbow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcj8tNRjr2lPHM4EzocFXnpznC2yD9lAkQisGNQt6An0-L3hyphenhyphenX2GID0cA9sJNlvoIhsAzlk8LE2xyeACZf26Xk4ZwMrfr_ntAVKYzwWkjPwBuzRgHLJVqaILD3eC8FY_YGGnadwhtlT8b/s1600/Img_0798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcj8tNRjr2lPHM4EzocFXnpznC2yD9lAkQisGNQt6An0-L3hyphenhyphenX2GID0cA9sJNlvoIhsAzlk8LE2xyeACZf26Xk4ZwMrfr_ntAVKYzwWkjPwBuzRgHLJVqaILD3eC8FY_YGGnadwhtlT8b/s320/Img_0798.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Buffeted by the strong winds at the <i>Salto Grande</i> (waterfall) between Lago Nordenskjold and Lago Pehoe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjrh6r0WVh9_MQfmnhOrWOb59teu41jB4ntXqg22aaYOhC84MpziMSPY4L5kRGuUEeVwZxIc00QkdFJG5qXl5xTI5nLkUmKHCLc2RHlJBGJS_C2342bSdT_KVavj-5yNtk0NlTajbBJPo/s1600/Img_0795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjrh6r0WVh9_MQfmnhOrWOb59teu41jB4ntXqg22aaYOhC84MpziMSPY4L5kRGuUEeVwZxIc00QkdFJG5qXl5xTI5nLkUmKHCLc2RHlJBGJS_C2342bSdT_KVavj-5yNtk0NlTajbBJPo/s320/Img_0795.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The powerful cataract of <i>Salto Grande</i>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNi4XMVgKJE4wjTQjLftKtPA-HfFu-UESIcXQyB9YAt9Ea4d2Nggc0cjl3h2bS2W5P82pGEGVMsmqOQ9_do1DJo6liH9JU7ZtPz-T5Rm-6uiGzUqmkE0KshwauxWDaX11TTOxPmNXAe6o/s1600/Img_0784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNi4XMVgKJE4wjTQjLftKtPA-HfFu-UESIcXQyB9YAt9Ea4d2Nggc0cjl3h2bS2W5P82pGEGVMsmqOQ9_do1DJo6liH9JU7ZtPz-T5Rm-6uiGzUqmkE0KshwauxWDaX11TTOxPmNXAe6o/s320/Img_0784.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The group at the foot of Lago Grey.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZV5kJK4bXnTKPRmLFfpDYhjoszVdYgtNYKaIG6_Hn9quykQY7bxzDwYX4LwVUneG7iEVwEkhdh62cfpaVhy5tt9_1mGvcRfmeDsAOSzmti8PxmK_TkDLMfyz5G-C69rn1XLTpae1e-I9/s1600/Img_0778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZV5kJK4bXnTKPRmLFfpDYhjoszVdYgtNYKaIG6_Hn9quykQY7bxzDwYX4LwVUneG7iEVwEkhdh62cfpaVhy5tt9_1mGvcRfmeDsAOSzmti8PxmK_TkDLMfyz5G-C69rn1XLTpae1e-I9/s320/Img_0778.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Icebergs in Lago Grey.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR92Al18ZcIOO42esU0Wz7s6rugbaoLXRS2zuoRSOOPoJOKVaNmm5pOTxPeJDLJYtXcBstBwhnZuo5DB977HG-zZsI5VbhLEsr3yuT6vwWPpGz5-RcJucgWBa8GtaLpWTN5z_LpwNroCLk/s1600/Img_0766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR92Al18ZcIOO42esU0Wz7s6rugbaoLXRS2zuoRSOOPoJOKVaNmm5pOTxPeJDLJYtXcBstBwhnZuo5DB977HG-zZsI5VbhLEsr3yuT6vwWPpGz5-RcJucgWBa8GtaLpWTN5z_LpwNroCLk/s320/Img_0766.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Grounded icebergs (<i>tempanos</i>) at the south end of Lago Grey. It was warm summer so lots of icebergs calved off the Grey Glacier and drifted to the south end of Lago Grey. The sharp spire in the background is called Punzon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWWiCioNzKNkGOTYyCAOmucKT-r-6xT7sRkSEo3otCegwnErFYqLiGbpfAXvZDxRPrTqVcacZw0zFsNpbQ8XISEYPbmnkgoUbdheacv6uw5eWbv7BDVFpmB56A3nc47WclYnrI6fqMqPi/s1600/Img_0710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWWiCioNzKNkGOTYyCAOmucKT-r-6xT7sRkSEo3otCegwnErFYqLiGbpfAXvZDxRPrTqVcacZw0zFsNpbQ8XISEYPbmnkgoUbdheacv6uw5eWbv7BDVFpmB56A3nc47WclYnrI6fqMqPi/s320/Img_0710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Beautiful morning reflections of the Cuernos del Paine in Lago Pehoe. I have never seen this lake so calm! Usually it's jade green in color with waves and whitecaps kicked up by strong westerly winds.Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8021651871507058819.post-72410716446005069052013-03-04T21:00:00.000-08:002013-03-05T16:47:25.507-08:00Hike to the Valle del Frances (French Valley)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUbNA1yu2jqYYNsRx7wbUM0eOAUPZBZVnO6gww_rd2NzRRWxXB9nikkLAeTTNJ_zxapYssSauELjTqmbgpagGU1YKwy1R-unqZX7suSMnR0NtLKvPF7gukX5YwTATkqyZqq22gYCST4lb/s1600/Img_0704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUbNA1yu2jqYYNsRx7wbUM0eOAUPZBZVnO6gww_rd2NzRRWxXB9nikkLAeTTNJ_zxapYssSauELjTqmbgpagGU1YKwy1R-unqZX7suSMnR0NtLKvPF7gukX5YwTATkqyZqq22gYCST4lb/s320/Img_0704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The rock spires behind the Cuernos del Paine. The pinnacle at left is called <i>Espada </i>("sword") and the rock "fin" to the right is known as <i>Oja </i>("leaf").</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXF5hld2ULPTKZ7MfdnDuQiJQF5NrC2KMycqOPkKN4-dHMMrpS1ySzlGe364ZueZx0KimDeWb6Fwlh8rbLT_-bwUDXcUnp2A-PaVyOoE4xgrCMVUU7urmvczStBWsOd7zP-fSP8zvp54eO/s1600/Img_0684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXF5hld2ULPTKZ7MfdnDuQiJQF5NrC2KMycqOPkKN4-dHMMrpS1ySzlGe364ZueZx0KimDeWb6Fwlh8rbLT_-bwUDXcUnp2A-PaVyOoE4xgrCMVUU7urmvczStBWsOd7zP-fSP8zvp54eO/s320/Img_0684.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Leaving the Mirador Frances on our way back to the Lodge Paine Grande area where we'll catch the boat back to the Pudeto dock.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofrt8X_Xv5ctj5VBoga_LOxmJnRot-MahIrus2IHhoSnkeyL6BM-huE_kjxfsq-WiNFXK2YUAue1hmuDUIhyphenhyphen-doldbYcQvRTiFwXGgr6V2msllwR13LRT3SCCp8RAFcIGFmVjxdFKHf2r/s1600/Img_0679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofrt8X_Xv5ctj5VBoga_LOxmJnRot-MahIrus2IHhoSnkeyL6BM-huE_kjxfsq-WiNFXK2YUAue1hmuDUIhyphenhyphen-doldbYcQvRTiFwXGgr6V2msllwR13LRT3SCCp8RAFcIGFmVjxdFKHf2r/s320/Img_0679.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Looks like a waterfall, but no! It's a glacial avalanche cascading down from the French Glacier high on the slopes of Paine Grande. Several of these large avalanches came down during the few minutes we were here--an "Old Faithful" avalanche!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRxfw8st5sgyoVAlW6yHdgC6uBCsVE4Y4QCWqpPdm7EFY47q8S_KrjBjzLiLAjDAv6d-Fcu05GaL4LpaFSi5EoEEpywPdgwgHl7vnzdNDg7K-L91yBhXxfFTh7FTK2efWYQyAXHpcygYB/s1600/Img_0674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRxfw8st5sgyoVAlW6yHdgC6uBCsVE4Y4QCWqpPdm7EFY47q8S_KrjBjzLiLAjDAv6d-Fcu05GaL4LpaFSi5EoEEpywPdgwgHl7vnzdNDg7K-L91yBhXxfFTh7FTK2efWYQyAXHpcygYB/s320/Img_0674.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A view of Lago Pehoe from the Mirador Frances.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAUJ8MCAejZkE_lISV1lXUI3GM8wfNVzzKW9ccYnV8W17T04T2CSUniYa0J62BZWgNyR_9CdpRrB9_Ln0_wf5RdUKCwC_ppaZx3Dgu9Ff1VSb_1cbs5Gf2tt_DVsgojjSQf8UejLp7owP/s1600/Img_0646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAUJ8MCAejZkE_lISV1lXUI3GM8wfNVzzKW9ccYnV8W17T04T2CSUniYa0J62BZWgNyR_9CdpRrB9_Ln0_wf5RdUKCwC_ppaZx3Dgu9Ff1VSb_1cbs5Gf2tt_DVsgojjSQf8UejLp7owP/s320/Img_0646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Reflections in Lago Skottsberg...amazing! I've never seen this lake calm enough to show a reflection! Usually there are strong winds here and the water equivalent of "dustdevils" dancing across the lake's surface. This is a special day!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLriha1GGFoT5QnIDO2xCj7yb9MmozzkDoBvJFeJEs68Y5Rt33V0XIHgT8Nh_XgD-ig0ih6SjufQ6wyx0qn7Q9JHarcgdz5_nFmXD1WRQEDqybbn_pclfqtBNBgi_hsDQvubynKnrnozp-/s1600/Img_0612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLriha1GGFoT5QnIDO2xCj7yb9MmozzkDoBvJFeJEs68Y5Rt33V0XIHgT8Nh_XgD-ig0ih6SjufQ6wyx0qn7Q9JHarcgdz5_nFmXD1WRQEDqybbn_pclfqtBNBgi_hsDQvubynKnrnozp-/s320/Img_0612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On the trail to the French Valley.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrS1JLzpMs0h8aJiyly8Gxm1x27nVUaWWE3XQnBOPE7cOh3v38krG3hwjrrNDTgyaa0gc3Vg95gE0dbdnn1YqlF8igY4Z7T1MH-Wd_FpwmCYn5Me8F8KyxUwPHSFQ34VbsH-G4_ySJucMg/s1600/Img_0610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrS1JLzpMs0h8aJiyly8Gxm1x27nVUaWWE3XQnBOPE7cOh3v38krG3hwjrrNDTgyaa0gc3Vg95gE0dbdnn1YqlF8igY4Z7T1MH-Wd_FpwmCYn5Me8F8KyxUwPHSFQ34VbsH-G4_ySJucMg/s320/Img_0610.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Trailhead at the Lodge Paine Grande area. We're headed toward Campamento Italiano and the French Valley.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOGPRUoohMHBta6Mutv2Y3ydYIAuJDS6jaYfqydA_2pQ5Qu9ykqkZwo2pbFUX0Fllga8dCBLJmmIwC9IDx8_DbvKZ1-BcIGf7pmr7eC0pjtYEeo_PXDdagRpaoB2jgfw_xbozt3NLKSaD/s1600/Img_0593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOGPRUoohMHBta6Mutv2Y3ydYIAuJDS6jaYfqydA_2pQ5Qu9ykqkZwo2pbFUX0Fllga8dCBLJmmIwC9IDx8_DbvKZ1-BcIGf7pmr7eC0pjtYEeo_PXDdagRpaoB2jgfw_xbozt3NLKSaD/s320/Img_0593.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
View of Paine Grande (left) and the Cuernos del Paine ("Horns of Paine") to the right. Seen over Lago Nordenskjold, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. We are on our way to the Pudeto boat dock on Lago Pehoe where we'll take a catamaran to the Lodge Paine Grande area. We'll begin our hike into the Valle del Frances ("French Valley") from there.Mountain Hiking Holidayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01281922208011566917noreply@blogger.com0