Microblog

Took a ferry from Fukuoka to a rural island. Disposed of small change at a shrine: 15 coins worth 65 cents. In return, took an Omikuji, a fortune printed on a strip of paper. Mangled by Google Translate, it appeared to urge me to drown in color and alcohol, and be a little selfish.

Posted Bullet Train vs. Plane.

Explored a mountainous area north of Sendai by train, local bus, and foot. In Kakunodate I was interviewed, via an interpreter, by a reporter for the local newspaper. American tourists are few and far between. Further down the road, almost walked into a professional photo shoot.

Yodobashi electronics stores are often located next to main train stations. Each store is at least 215,000 sq ft; a typical Best Buy is just 38,000 sq ft. At Sendai’s store I set a goal to find something I didn’t realize I didn’t need, but left, overwhelmed.

Sendai, about 200 miles northeast of Tokyo, is my base for the next few days. From Sendai, rode a bullet train for 13 minutes, then rural trains to reach trails for some fall color hiking. The rural train line is in this photo.

Arrived Tokyo HND, late afternoon Thursday, off a thirteen-hour flight and a +14-hour time difference. Took rush hour trains to a downtown hotel and an early night. Japan only reopened to independent travelers two weeks ago, so I’m expecting to see few westerners on my travels.

On board UA881 en route to Tokyo HND.

Cycled to the highest point in Minneapolis, Deming Heights Park. At one point we dismounted and pushed.

Explored Downtown with a UK friend, focusing on fine old buildings, many sensitively adapted and reused. This former Milwaukee Road ticketing hall is now a hotel event space. Later, we rode a 21 bus along Lake Street to see how well it has come back after the protests of 2020.

Dwight brought coffee to me in bed and showed me this photo he’d taken of the sun rising over Lake Superior.

Crossed the Poplar River on our hike from Lutsen to Oberg Mountain.

We hiked a long hike. Towards the end, at Cascade River, our nephews still had plenty energy. How the younger one got on that rock, we’ll never know. His brother was being more cautious.

On our Superior Hiking Trail hike today, a view we’ve seen so many times before. The evergreens were punctuated with something I don’t recall seeing before: golden deciduous tamaracks, a member of the pine family that loses its needles in the fall.

Hiked trails, including part of the Superior Hiking Trail, in Jay Cooke State Park.

Stopped at Bordertown Coffee to warm up from a chilly cycle ride with a friend. In the colder months, there’s often a fire going, but apparently today wasn’t cold enough.

My monthly drug run, / Walking past the county morgue, / Leaves corralled by wind.