Category: Walk

Michinoku Coastal Trail

Hiked for two days along part of the 700 km Michinoku (Pacific) Coastal Trail in Sanriku Fukko (reconstruction) National Park. People stay away because of the destructive 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and the disabled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Snapshots: Eastern Hokkaido National Parks

This past week I’ve briefly visited the three most easterly national parks on the island of Hokkaido, Japan: Kushiro-Shitsugen, Akan Mashu, and Shiretoko. Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park Kushiro-Shitsugen is Japan’s largest wetland, famous for its Japanese red-head cranes. A JR (Japan Rail) line runs along the edge of the wetlands, with several stops. I decided to…… Continue reading Snapshots: Eastern Hokkaido National Parks

A Kind Person

At Kushiro Shitsugen National Park a woman stopped her car to give me an origami crane. I thanked her, and she drove on. After a hundred yards she stopped again, this time to offer me a ride to the train station. I thanked her and explained I love to walk.

Standing at the Edge of Creation

My beautiful picture

October 1983, Hawaii Big Island: I stand against an expanse of blackness, some of the newest terrain on Earth. I set the self-timer on my Canon AE-1 film camera, then dash into the field of view for a self-portrait. “Selfies” would have to wait until the 21st century. I walk around nearby Halemaumau Crater as…… Continue reading Standing at the Edge of Creation

Snapshots: Hadrian’s Wall Path

My daily routine is pretty simple these days: After a full English cooked breakfast, continue walking east across England, following the line of Hadrian’s (Roman) Wall. If available, stop at a tearoom for a pot of tea and cake. At the end of the afternoon arrive at a comfortable bed and breakfast or inn for…… Continue reading Snapshots: Hadrian’s Wall Path

The Road to Minneapolis: Mile 1

I’m walking across the narrowest part of England, following the course of Hadrian’s (Roman) Wall. Construction of the wall started in the year 122, and some sections remain to this day. The walk is 84 miles, which I’m comfortably spreading over 7 days. On the 8th day I fly home to Minneapolis. Yesterday I took…… Continue reading The Road to Minneapolis: Mile 1

Snapshots: Hiking the Rota Vicentina, Southwest Portugal

The Rota Vicentina is a 450 km trail system in southwest Portugal. It includes the Fishermen’s Trail along the rugged Atlantic coastline, the Historical Way that heads inland through rolling countryside, and loop trails that connect both worlds. The system is good for point-to-point hiking where we moved to a different place each day, and hub-and-spoke…… Continue reading Snapshots: Hiking the Rota Vicentina, Southwest Portugal