Crossed an icy Mississippi on my walk to the University of Minnesota where I signed paperwork to participate in a Phase 3 prostate cancer clinical trial. Grateful for the lovely walk, grateful for promising treatment options.
Category: Practices
Civil Society
Watched daytime television. Grateful for the rule of law.
Temple Plumbing 2022
I hiked to two temples of an 88-temple pilgrimage and photographed the plumbing.
In the Footsteps of Scottish Border Raiders
Booked hotels for a 5-day hike with friends next September. We’ll walk part of The Reivers Way in Northumberland, England, in the footsteps of Border Reivers who terrorized communities from the 13th to the 17th century. We trust the sight of four old geezers won’t terrorize today’s populace.
Travel Planning
Spent the afternoon researching 2023 travel and booking fragments of trips: two hotels, a one-way flight, and a round-trip ferry.
Soaking Feet, Smoking Volcano
After a day of walking, gratefully steeped my feet in the volcanic warmth of an unusually long (100 meters) footbath. Watched a plume rising above Sakurajima, a volcano that regularly rains ash on the city of Kagoshima.
A Hiking Theme for Each of Japan’s Main Islands
Hiking doesn’t need to have purpose apart from the obvious act of putting one foot in front of the other while staying upright. Sometimes, though, I like to have a theme underpinning a hike. For example, here’s themes I’ve taken up for each of Japan’s main islands. Kyushu: Matsuo Bashō, 17th Century Traveler and Poet.Shikoku:…… Continue reading A Hiking Theme for Each of Japan’s Main Islands
A Hiking Theme for Each of Japan’s Main Islands
Japan has four main islands: Honshu is the most populous, followed by Kyushu, Hokkaido, and Shikoku. Hiking doesn’t need to have purpose apart from the obvious act of putting one foot in front of the other while staying upright. Sometimes, though, I like to have a theme underpinning a hike. Here’s a hiking theme for…… Continue reading A Hiking Theme for Each of Japan’s Main Islands
Iterative Travel
I don’t do bucket lists. If a place intriques me, I want to return. I reduce the pressure to do and see everything on a trip by telling myself it’s only a prototype. It’s sufficient to experience enough to whet my appetite for the next iteration, er, I mean visit. Just as well I held…… Continue reading Iterative Travel
Travel Predictions
I’m betting Japan’s prime minister will announce this week when the country will open for independent travel. Booked MInneapolis to Tokyo in June for us, a nephew, and his dad. There’s one other passenger on the outbound, and no-one else on the return flight. That will change and prices will rise.