Microblog

Paused my journey in Abashiri, a town on the Sea of Okhotsk, to explore a museum of prison buildings. Some buildings date back to the early days of Japanese occupation of Hokkaido. I can add this to my list of the wonderful open-air architectural museums

Hiked above clouds in Shiretoko National Park on the northeastern edge of Hokkaido. If I went further I’d be in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Russian Kuril Islands. Over 10 days I’ll head for Tokyo. Today, I’m 980 miles and 15 hours by slow trains and bullet trains.

Soaked my feet in the hot spring footbath at Kawayu Onsen Station (Akan Mashu National Park) while waiting for the first train to arrive at this station since the September 6 earthquake. I was the only person to board the train.

Hiked up Mount Kamui, the caldera in a caldera I saw from a plane two days ago. At the top, a young guy from Kitami, Hokkaido shared his lunch with me (filled, steamed buns) and took this picture of me clutching my hat. He then ran back down.

Posted After the Quake.

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.

This weekend I plan to hike this caldera lake (Lake Mashu). Another caldera (Mount Kamui) rises out of the lake. I took this picture from a turboprop, today, on my way to Nemuro, the most easterly town in Hokkaido and Japan.

Landed in Hokkaido from Tokyo, late Wednesday evening. Washed my clothes: they’ll be dry in time for me to wear them on an early morning turboprop flight.

I will always find it exciting to board a plane in Chicago ORD at noon, then arrive Tokyo the next day, late afternoon.

Packed my boots.

Thoughts were provoked at the Guthrie’s “Frankenstein—Playing with Fire.” The Frankenstein novel was published 200 years ago; applying technologies while ignoring morality damages our society today.

Enjoyed a balanced diet of marzipan, whipped cream, sponge, strawberry jam, and toasted almonds. My mother-in-law’s 85th.

Posted Disaster Tourism.

Cycled home from Stillwater. Appreciated the gentle gradient of the new Brown’s Creek (Rail) Trail from the St. Croix River in Stillwater to the Gateway Trail to St. Paul. Previously we had to climb Stillwater’s grueling Myrtle Street

Cycled to an exuberant bed in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Explored St. Paul’s Highland Park with a friend. Encountered several characters, including the owner of this over-the-top home. Later, we chatted with a spry 89 year-old who was out for a long walk after cycling 16 miles yesterday. She declared “You gotta keep it wigglin’”