Okayama: a good base for exploring

440 miles on a bullet train to Okayama, my base for the next three days. Took this rural train to Kibitsu Shrine, distinguished by a cypress bark gabled roof (unusual) and a 400-year-old, 1,200-foot covered walkway between buildings (again, unusual). Here, the train driver is doing what all train drivers do in Japan: “pointing and calling” (shisa kanko) at signals, status lights, switches, etc., with white-gloved hands. This is a safety protocol.

Getting around the Coachella Valley by bike, bus, EV, and foot

It never rains in Southern California… but today a welcome shower promises a colorful desert bloom in the coming weeks. Undeterred, we picked up bicycles that will be our companions for the next few weeks. For the first two weeks, we also have an EV (the learning curve on charging is proving interesting!). The local bus service complements our transportation options, and of course, we can always walk.

Bridge to Platform

Biking with a friend, followed parts of a new light rail route, under construction. We stopped at a chain-link fence, trying to understand this elaborate structure connecting the road bridge overhead to the platform below. It looks like it’ll have stairs and elevators for pedestrians. The station is a short walk from Bde Maka Ska,…… Continue reading Bridge to Platform

Monthly Drug Run

Today’s the day for my monthly drug run (meds). Metro Transit does a remarkable job keeping the buses running in all kinds of weather.

Cut and Cover

Cycled rail trails. At one point a trench was being cut to house a tunnel for the Green Line LRT extension. Once the trench is covered, this area will revert to parkland and trails.