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The Shikoku Henro (“Shikoku 88”) is an 88-temple pilgrimage around the island of Shikoku, Japan. The complete journey is about 750 miles. It is particularly appealing to me the pilgrimage goes in a circle: when you reach temple 88 you are just a few miles from temple 1, but your mind is in a different… Continue reading Shikoku 88: Some Observations

I grew up in an industrial town in the North of England. I love that town, and its attitude. I continue to visit it regularly. Consequently I decided to spend a while in Kokura, a town in the north of Kyushu that has been described as “half industrial park.” I dislike that description. I arrived… Continue reading A Hike under the Sea, a Buzzcutter, and a Visit to TOTO

I always pace around departure areas, so today was no exception at the Busan ferry terminal. A couple years ago, had I not been pacing around the Haridwar (India) station platform at 3:00 a.m. waiting for a train that never came, I might not have been spotted in the crowd by four backpackers. I would’ve… Continue reading Are you Trevor?

Tomorrow I go to Japan. I need a plan for a plan. The only fixed part of my “Japan Framework” is: March 22: Hydrofoil from Busan, South Korea to Fukuoka (Southern Japan). April 11: Check in to Sapporo New Chitose Airport hotel (Northern Japan)–I’m catching an early flight next morning. April 12: Fly Sapporo to… Continue reading Japan Framework 2013

The airport is awfully quiet, apart from the sound of a vacuum cleaner. Most of the flights to the mainland have departed. Dwight has just gone through agricultural screening, before boarding his flight to Phoenix. He’ll continue on to an unusually cold Minneapolis. Suddenly I’m all alone. We’ve had a wonderful time here on Kauai,… Continue reading Suddenly it’s Very Quiet in Lihue Airport

Until recently, when we went back-country camping, we’d bring a lightweight camp stove. That meant safe water from streams, hot meals, and an unlimited supply of the best Kona coffee… ever. (We also brought a Melitta coffee filter cone.) These days, when we back-country camp, we carry a very effective ultraviolet water sterilizer, which lets… Continue reading Travel Gear: Water Purification

March 14, 2013, Marriott, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii Big Island January 2007, Marriott, Lihue, Mom and Dad to be We knew you were on your way, Caden. And in July 2007, we got to meet you for the first time. And the next year, 2008, we got to meet Davin. Wonderful memories. Hawaii, Big Island, 2012

2013: We’ve just hiked the Kalalau Trail for the fourth time. 1995: Here we are on the Kalalau back in our salad days: