Iwakuni's Castle

Japan's castles all look about the same. This is one of the smallest castles and its here in the town where we live, Iwakuni.

Upcoming trip to Kyoto

Its morning in Japan and we can feel a bit of fall in the air. Gone is the morning humidity that made one feel as if you needed another shower before you even stated your day. Fall is a time to start sightseeing again and next week, the Nelsons, Sallie and Roy and I are going to go to Kyoto. We have rented a van and have reservations at the Kyoto New Hotel right near the castle with the nightengale floors. The ancient Japanese were always thinking up unique ways to protect themselves and one was the nightengale floor. Walk on it and it will sing well, sigh is probably a better description of the sound that it makes. You say whats the big deal, all our carpenters can do that, we all have a step or spot that squeeks when we step on it. Well, this sound isn't a squeek at all, its a soft, and not unpleasant sound. What is so amazing about it, is that it is still there after 500 years of being stepped on.
If you ever come to Japan and only have a few days, Kyoto is where you should go as it doesn't have 10,000,000 folks like Yokyo, and it is full of tourist sights. Nara is nearby, another great touring town with 5 story pagotas.

New Home

Well, I moved blogs. This just seems to be more user friendly than the other blog, so welcome and glad you found me.

Now you all know that I'm retiring in three months, but just for shits and giggles, I emailed my National HQ and asked them what they might offer if I stayed. I might have considered Europe or a big promotion, but neither were forthcoming. They offered me a ton of places in the States, North Carolyn, New York, and even my favorite spot in the world California, but I had to reject them all, because none of them sounds better than HOME.

We had a nice weekend. We went to Yamada-san's student show and it was not only fun but some of his students are better than the Master. It was funny, the vase that they displayed of mine was the only piece that I had planned on tossing in the garbage. I don't know what became of my really good vase, its probably still in the kiln somewhere.

Roy wants me to continue with pottery when we get home, but its expensive and there is just so much you can do with plates, pots and vases. They are scattered around my house as it is and I don't use any of them. I will miss Yamada-san and wish that I had started with him sooner.

Yamada-san has this beautiful plate that I am going to buy. Its shows off his artistic talent more than anything that I have ever seen. The top is done in 'white snake glaze'. This glaze Yamada-san developed, It goes on black but when fired, its bubbles and ripples and looks sort of like snake skin. (Iwakuni is famous for white snakes) Then the glazes go from pink to blues and in the center is his famous etching of the Kintai Bridge (also an Iwakuni) landmark. When I asked how much he wanted for it, he said 50,000 Yen, (just under $500 dollars) and I nearly fainted. But Taiko, my friend and co-student gave him this long sob story about my retireing and he dropped the price to $300. SOLD, Its beautiful and something I will treasure for ever.

Three months my friends.

Pottery Lessons

Well did you remember to start reading from the bottom up? If so, you know the plan and the list and the timeframe. My buddy, who is reading over my shoulder said that I should be talking about Japan, and telling you what beautiful country this is. I will do that, as I do have three months left in this glorious country and plans for lots of trips.
This upcoming weekend I actually have no travel plans but we are going to see a pottery show at city hall. Pottery you ask? Iwakuni is very lucky to have a great potter who teaches classes and his students are putting on a show of their work, and I am one of those. I have a vase to exhibit, one which I haven't even see the finished product yet. I made it two weeks ago and to get it finished Sensai had to glaze and fire it himself. I probably won't even beable to find it.
Sensai is not only a artist but he has also developed interesting glazes and learned how to make antique glaze. He also built an antique kiln in his back yard, just like the potters of 600 years ago used and I am so lucky that I got to get one of my pieces fired in this kiln. I hope I can figure how to add images cause I want you to see his beautiful work, and the work of his students, who have somehow surpassed the Sensai. I will take picture.
Another thing I love about Japan is Sumo. Vickie (are you reading this Vic) got me started watching Sumo and I still can't believe that I am so addicted to it. She asked me if I would tape a Sumo show for her. Unfortunately I never did because my old VCR had long lost directions, and I didn't know how, but I did start to watch it. I hate WWWrestling and I'm neither interested in Greco Roman or boxing, but I love Sumo. Maybe its the ancient rituals that it involves. Maybe its the speed, most matches are less than 6 seconds long, maybe it's the lack of blood. But I plan nothing for the 15 days of Sumo and I cheer when the Yokosuno, top man, gets beat, (its happened once maybe twice in the last last six months. The man is awesome and completely in charge) I also cheer when Ama, a little tiny skinny guywho holds his own with the big guys and the Russian, well actually Georgian who actually beat the Yokosuno last basho and looks like he is headed for Oseke, (position under the top dog) You should see the great Sumo dolls that I have collected. They are my pride and joy, and I love them, even though I paid an arm and leg for them.
Well, its late. Ill be back tomarrow night

Back to the Future

Just heard the tenants who are living in our house are moving the end of September so since we don't relish the thought of leaving the house empty, Roy has decided to go home early. Of course, that will leave the packing for me to do, and that will leave me to finish eating all the food in the kitchen and that will leave me to go to the SUMO grand finale alone and that will leave me to deal with packer etc. But thats okay, I can send the furniture home early and we can just get on the road that much sooner.
Also heard that my best buddy is coming to spend Christmas with us and I am so excited as he was my neighbor in California and has moved to Oregon and lives pretty close to us. We are going to show him around Seattle/Tacoma/Olympia and he is then going to show us around Portland.
I also heard another friend lost her husband over the weekend. That will also change our plans as I want to go and spend some time with her. Did I mention our plans were fluid.
Then if all that wasn't enough, I got a call from one of the big wigs in the organization that I work for and she wants me to pull my retirement and apply for a job with her in Italy. This is her second phone call in a matter of two weeks, so I guess she is serious. Don't think so. If I accept the position, I will be on the road to Iraq in a matter of months, and been there, done that, not doing it again. Sorry Ms D, but while I would love to work for you and while I would love to go to Italy, I know what else it involves and I just am not interested.

Pottery Lessons

Well did you remember to start reading from the bottom up? If so, you know the plan and the list and the timeframe. My buddy, who is reading over my shoulder said that I should be talking about Japan, and telling you what beautiful country this is. I will do that, as I do have three months left in this glorious country and plans for lots of trips.
This upcoming weekend I actually have no travel plans but we are going to see a pottery show at city hall. Pottery you ask? Iwakuni is very lucky to have a great potter who teaches classes and his students are putting on a show of their work, and I am one of those. I have a vase to exhibit, one which I haven't even see the finished product yet. I made it two weeks ago and to get it finished Sensai had to glaze and fire it himself. I probably won't even beable to find it.
Sensai is not only a artist but he has also developed interesting glazes and learned how to make antique glaze. He also built an antique kiln in his back yard, just like the potters of 600 years ago used and I am so lucky that I got to get one of my pieces fired in this kiln. I hope I can figure how to add images cause I want you to see his beautiful work, and the work of his students, who have somehow surpassed the Sensai. I will take picture.
Another thing I love about Japan is Sumo. Vickie (are you reading this Vic) got me started watching Sumo and I still can't believe that I am so addicted to it. She asked me if I would tape a Sumo show for her. Unfortunately I never did because my old VCR had long lost directions, and I didn't know how, but I did start to watch it. I hate WWWrestling and I'm neither interested in Greco Roman or boxing, but I love Sumo. Maybe its the ancient rituals that it involves. Maybe its the speed, most matches are less than 6 seconds long, maybe it's the lack of blood. But I plan nothing for the 15 days of Sumo and I cheer when the Yokosuno, top man, gets beat, (its happened once maybe twice in the last last six months. The man is awesome and completely in charge) I also cheer when Ama, a little tiny skinny guywho holds his own with the big guys and the Russian, well actually Georgian who actually beat the Yokosuno last basho and looks like he is headed for Oseke, (position under the top dog) You should see the great Sumo dolls that I have collected. They are my pride and joy, and I love them, even though I paid an arm and leg for them.
Well, its late. Ill be back tomarrow night

Casita

I remember a while back the CAR GUYS on NPR did a show about ladies who name their cars. I've never named my car, but I really wanted to come up with a name for the motor home, and I think its going to be Casita and her decor' will either be southwestern or Mexican.
She needs a decor. She looks somewhat like a sterile hotel room now without personality and warmth, so a great Navajo blanket on the couch, rugs on the floor, pictures on the walls will spice her up and give her some personality.
She needs more than decor. She has been sitting for a couple of years and every working part will need to be upgraded and maintained, oiled or lubed, shined, polished or buffed. Tires might be on the menu as while they look good they have been sitting. And one of the biggest expense, we are going to add is more batteries and a solar panels so we don't have to use our noisy generator or be stuck needing to park in those parking lot campgrounds, just to get electricity.
Because of this and because our house is going to become vacant the end of September, Roy has decided to go home early, so he can get the house ready for the furniture that we have accumulated here and do the maintenance on Casita so we can take off as soon as possible after I get home. (Do we sound anxious)?
I've learned a lot by joining some great boards; RV.net and Escapee are two of my favorites and I have gotten some great advice and have learned so much from folks who are living my dream. They have taught me a new language. Boondocking is a favorite. To boondock is to dry camp at sites that do not offer electricity or water or even sanitation. They also call it boondocking when parking free at Wal-Mart, but I don't like the sound of that at all. I would rather not have to do that. I've also learned from folks who live and sometimes work in their RV full time. My new best online friend is George who is living his own dream and letting us share his daily life via his own blog. I love his pictures and his adventures and I so want to follow him and his adventures. He does give nightly GPS listings so we could actually do that. He mostly boondocks and always takes some great pictures of this travels.
LISTS
Oh yes, I have become a list maker. Let me see, I have a list of the required maintenance on Casita. I have a list of free campgrounds. I have a list of places in every state where I want to go. I have lists of what to pack in the RV. I have lists of things to do before pulling away from each campsite, as that’s important to remember. I have lists of things we would love to have and things we would like to have. I have, don’t faint, a budget list so we can keep to our financial plan, spends mine, bank his.
The budget is important, as traveling isn’t going to be cheap. Gas is going to be very expensive, and the more we travel during the day, the more gas we will use. Since we will be under no time constraints at all, I might do as friend George and limit our day to under a hundred miles, hell under fifty miles. Are we in a hurry to get anywhere? I don’t think so. Another expense is going to be campgrounds. If we have one with full service, electricity, water, dump and Internet, we can plan on spending up to .00 a night. If we do that every night that will add up at the end of the month to way more than I want to spend. A better plan is to boondock for 2 or 3 nights and the stay where we can get recharged and filled up for one night. Food shouldn’t be much of an expense as there will not be a lot of eating out and we can save money by careful planning.
So, now all I need is a map and a yellow highlighter so I can trace our trip. It might come right down to nothing more than a flip of the coin, heads we go left and tails we go right.

Preface

Three months, one week and we retire, and the plan is to fix up the motor home and travel. Where does not matter, although the price of gas lately may dictate how fast and how far we go. When isn't important either cause we can go where the weather is good and stop if the weather is bad, hunker down and wait it out.
Anyway, my friends this looks like the perfect blog for us as its neither travel, nor political nor anything except cute. If you want to keep up with us, you have our website. If you want to know where we are, just mark this page and we will keep you up to date. Now I must tell you that once on the road it’s going to be difficult to get online. We just don't have the money for a dish to mount on the motor home, they start at about six thousand and then there is another hundred dollar monthly fee. I have heard about just getting the dish and setting it up yourself, which would require knowledge that I don't possess and while Roy probably does, he is computer illiterate so wouldn't be able to talk the talk either.
So, when we actually hit the road, we will continue writing in our blog, but only add it when we can find Internet access. If you don't find new pages come back again as eventually we will stop.
The Plan, The Plan
Well you know the plan must be fluid as much will dictate when and when we travel. Friends who have been the most vocal about us coming to visit are one major influence on our decision. Canada has been very insistent, and the beautiful mountains in Banff are luring to say the least, but that will probably have to be next summer when the weather is warm. I don't think I want to do Canada in winter. California also beckons; today I got two emails from folks in Morongo Basis urging us to come that way. We were even offered parking space in their driveway, which will certainly save us big bucks. Calif is tempting as Joshua Tree area is my second home and I would love to stay there forever.
Daughter and Yelm friend, you know who you are, have agreed to go to Mexico with me, and I am holding them to it. We won't motor home, we will fly as I found a real cheap place to stay at a great price and I think you will enjoy it. Besides since both are still employed that will dictate the time we have and a flight is faster.
And then cousin Karen3 you have promised to hit the genealogy trail with me, looking for those elusive relatives that managed to evade the census reports.
And Dea, my friend, who has taught me to look for birds where ever we go, I am really anxious to go to southern AZ to take some famous birding trails and maybe start my own list. While there, I need to go to New Mexico as I have heard they might be planning to cover and protect the ancient Native American ruins to protect them from the elements and I want to see them before that happens.
Roy wants to go down the Washington, Oregon, Calif coast first and that’s also a possibility, but we did that last summer so maybe I can talk him into taking 395 south. HWY 395 starts at/around Pendleton Ore and travels south down the inside eastern edge of Oregon and Calif and while I did do most of it a few years ago, at least the Calif part, Roy would enjoy it and its a lovely quite road, and it leads right to Joshua Tree. Hummm what does that tell you? I have to be in Indio for the tamale festival the first week of December, that's a must and since it is near Joshua Tree, maybe we can spend the winter there.

Sumo

I hit the jackpot this weekend. Sallie, my Civil Engineering friend and I went shopping on Saturday leaving the men home. Well, I hit the sumo jackpot. I try to collect a lot of sumo dolls and stuff, but its rare when I find one. I scored at Dragon Fly Second Hand Store #2, our second stop, by finding a great statue of an old yokosuna, (I need to find out who he is.) Then, then we went down town and I found yet another Sumo doll on sale even ($77.???) and finally a third which is absolutely huge. I don't think I can even get it in my display case.
Sumo is a great sport to watch as it's a very old sport, with lots of pomp and interest. Nothing like WWW, which I never watch, nor like Greko Roman wrestling. Nor is it just big men pushing eachother out of the ring. Everything is steeped in tradition from the clay ring that takes a Master to build, to the uniforms they wear, to the dress of the umpires and judges.
And less and less is it fat men who are sumo. The current Yokosuma isn't fat at all, in fact he is mostly muscle and technique and while I don't particularly like him, you must admire his ability.
I like Kaio, an aging Oseke who is so injured I feel for him, yet he keeps winning. Ama is another favorite of mine. Young, skinny, looks like a fly against some of his opponents, has a fighting spirit and doesn't mind taking on the big boys, and he wins more than loses.
This basho, I have a new favorite. Futemo, who has risen quickly up the ranks and is a real giant killer. He is a joy to watch and even if his win/loss record isn't the best, he has knocked out some of the top guys.
Yokosuna lost his second match last night and by another Russian. There are a number of non-Japanese in the sport. The Yokosuna is Mongolian as is Ama. There are a few folks from Russia or the Baltic area. The number of "foreigners" is limited in Japanese sumo, and it would be nice to see a Japanese come up thru the ranks and take over the top spot,, but I don't see anyone on the horizon.
I hope we can get Japanese Sumo in the states when we come home. I will certainly miss it.

Mexican Dinner

Sunday was a blast. We invited our group of Japanese friends for Mexican Dinner and they just loved it. Sallie made some salsa and enchiladas and I fixed the rest, refried beans, baked corn, chili verde, etc. It all turned out marvelous and most of it was gone by the time everyone left.
Hope we can do it again soon

Humidity has hit

Well, don't know how much traveling we will be getting in this summer. DH plans to climb Mt Fuji in a couple weeks and that will be a great experience for him. Me, climbing anything is just not an option. I want to do one last trip to Sasebo, Japan to shop at the NEX there, and we have to do Tokyo and Kyoto because you can't come to Japan and not do Kyoto. Also, in November we are going to go to our last Sumo match in Fukaoka.

Just have to add another picture of Japanese Gardens

June 17th 2005

I just had a call from Phyllis, bud from Okinawa who said they have had 3 days of constant downpouring rain. When I was in Okinawa last month all it did was rain, so we didn't get out much. Actually if I never go back to Okinawa that will be fine with me. Everywhere we went the food was blaa and tasteless, both on base and off, unless you like fast food and there were tons of those around. We went out for Chinese and everyonne just raved about the food and I thought it was bland and tasteless.
Of course I was not there to sightsee, we were there for a meeting but the only thing worth the trip was the airpost. Every hallway, every window, every knuck and cranny had orchids, the most beautiful orchids. I took lots of pictures but unfortunately they are not in photobucket.
Speaking about orchids. Sallie went to the states for a couple of weeks and asked if I would babysit her orchid. The poor thing was about on its last legs, half the stalks didn't have and leaves and the ones that did were lookin pretty sorry. The next morning I was watching Tipical Mary Ellen on TV and what did she talk about was how to care for orchids. Sallie was watering them from the top. Well I went and got a large flat bowl, filled it with gravel and placed the orchid there. Still lost a couple of leaves but, I think it looked a lot healthier than when she gave it to me.
Sallie is one of the folks that I will miss here in Japan. She is a civil engineer who works for the Marines and I love exploring Japan with her. We never use the same road twice and she knows every back street in Iwakuni.
We also go to pottery class together and what fun that is. I need to bring my camera to show you the teachers work. He and his son are amazing potters and his glazes are amazing.
I am going to miss Japan but I am so ancious to just get home and put ARC behind me.

Japanese Rose Gardens

June is the season for flowers in Japan and there is nothing more beautiful than a Japanese Rose Garden. This one we visited a couple weeks ago.

Cool, figured out how to post pictures. Now the sky is the limit. Need to figure out how to go fix the ones I posted below.

Anyway, back to Little P, our motorhome. I really feel that we can find free places to park at night for our night camp and not spend the money on parking lot spaces that they call campgrounds, will save us tons of money, money that we can use to improve Little P. We need a solar system for the electricty, we need a satellite dish for interent and we need leverlers as we will probably not be camping on level grounds.

So, I am not off to my favorite web site, Amazon.com to look for free campsite books. Wish me luch

Everyday I check in with George and Ms Tioga and today was no exception. He was just going from Oregon into Calif at Crescent City where we were just this time last year.
So looking forward to starting our own adventure. Last night, Roy and I invited Sallie, our engineer buddy and Barry Nelson , whose wife went home for the summer, to join us for Italian night at the club. I ordered the Chipolte Sauce and it was a tad on the spicy side, but I really enjoyed the food and the company was delightful. We will miss our friends here in Iwakuni.
But not enought to want to stay. We have our own Ms Tioga to worry about, but our turtle shell (RV) is a Georgie Boy Pursuit which has been idle for a couple years and will need a lot of TLC to get her into go condition.
I think the maintenace will be up to Roy, but I have been reading up on what needs to be done, just in case and my list is getting extensive.
I need to check to see if I can download my picture so excuse the little detour here.

Recently I found a blog site, The Adventures of Ms Tioga and George. This team also consists of Mr Camera, and Ms GPS and the like, George is the only living, breathing member, but as you read, each member seems to take on its own personallity.
The team has a few simple rules. Tioga gets daily maintenance. The team travels no more than 200 miles a day and they rarely pay for a campground. Also Ms Tioga keeps her speed at under 50 MPH. Each rule really makes financial sence. RV campground parking can cost up to 30 even 40 dollars a night and that rapidly adds up. Folks say well they need the campgrounds so they can have electricity, internet access, etc. but the way George saves money, he can readily afford a solar system. He has a bank of 6 batteries and 6 solar panels which give him adequate electricty for the day. He also equiped Ms Tiogo with Levelors and that is generally a must have for boondocking. He added a larger foot pad on them so they don't sink into the ground.

So, I am so interested in this way of life and hope that I can emulate him at some point. 5 months til retirement. Happy days.

June in Japan

The wonders of Japan still continually amaze me. Yesterday it was summer, the humidity hit us in the face like a wet wash cloth. We watched the track of the first thyphoon of the year, and felt yet another earthquake.
We were in a big 6.7 earthquake last month. We went to a festival in Yamagawa and while we were standing next to the river, watching the prince and princess go by, the earth really started to shake. It was rather funny, because I remember looking down at my feet and wondering why they were moving and I'm a Calif girl, I know about earthquakes.
Anyway, what really interested me was the reaction of the children. They immediately dropped and covered their heads. All of them, in little circles. It was amazing to watch. They are well trained here, much better than we are in the US.
So, I have to figure out why my pictuers are not showing up. HUMM, the rose garden was absolutely beautiful and Im sorry that you missed the pictures.

Mt Aso Trip.

Mt Aso is one of Japans active volcanoes and IT&T was offering a trip to it, which we signed up for right away. Its on the Island called Kyushu about dead center. The volcano is active and we warned ahead of time that visiting it may not be an option. But we are adventurers and wanted to see how it measured up to our own Mt Saint Helens.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/desertthorn/Aso10.jpg[/IMG]
Our first stop was to Kumamoto Castle, one of the largest and most magnificent castles in Japan. The problem is, we have seen nearly all of them, so one more was just another castle to us at this point. It was built in 1694 but like most antiquites in Japan it burned to the ground and had to be rebuilt. I will add some pictures once I get them down loaded to Photobucket.
Our secord stop was to the Aso Farm Village Hotel. Well, I don't think I can call it a hotel as it is about 200 little igloo shaped buildings, each with a bed and a bath spread out over the "farm". I need to post a picture of that also as it was wild.
I gather it really is a working farm as they sell milk and cheese and dairy products. (I bought what looked like a bottle of milk for my morning coffee and YUCK, it was yogurt I think, NOT milk. ) But it also had a huge restaurant, (food was mediocre to poor) and other little shops. It had a hot bath for bathing, something that I haven't gotten around to doing in Japan, and a lot of craft shops, where you can make and/or purchase craft items. You could paint pottery, blow glass, etc. That was kinna cool, but it was late and Sumo was on and well, it was the second to the last night of the championship and that was way more important.
The next morning, we got up early and boarded the bus for Mt Aso, the volcano. It was a pleasant drive thru the country side and the hills were full of a heather like bush that was in full bloom (need to post that picture also) There was a sign at crater that the sulfur was stinking and if folks were allergic they probably should go up.
Well, the wind was blowing, the clouds were sitting right on the crater and so it was damp and cold and drizzling rain. Since the volcano was erupting steam, thats about all we could see, but we did take some pictures and I'll post them. The geology in the area was interesting.
The coolest and most interesting part of the trip, and an unexpected event was that they were having a Cooper car rally at the summit and we got to see nearly 200 Coopers. Now that is something that I would love to do .

Genealogy

Retiring in 6 months and would like a keep a log of my travels, keep a place for my genealogy notes and even talk about my diet.

Names in my genealogy that I am researching
Garlock
Sacrider
Johnson
Brandborg