Iris Viewing in Iwakuni - 6/18/11

It's a misty Saturday afternoon during rainy season in Japan. The Keups are leaving Japan early tomorrow morning for their new assignment. We're accompanying them for one last trip to the Kintai Bridge & Kikko Park area to view the iris that are blooming now. As we load into the van, Stan has put one of Owen's shoes on his head . . . Owen LOVES Stan!


And Stan's hat! Peek-a-boo Owen! (Can you tell yet that we MISS our grandchildren???)


Lots of water running through the river at the famous Kintai Bridge today - we've had lots of rain recently. And as always, many people are here today.


And of course, always many people walking the bridge for Good Luck!


Boss Owen says, "Let's go that way!"

Little girl resting on a wooden bench near the ice cream shop. Of course, she has removed her shoes so she won't get the bench dirty . . .


Owen LOVES ice cream & no trip here is ever complete without delicious Japanese ice cream! We all had different flavors so he got to try all of them!


Oh the magnolias are also in bloom! I've never seen them blooming here before because I'm usually back in US by now . . .


Closeup of huge magnolia blossom.


Wow! This is what I've been waiting 7 years to see! This huge area in Kikko Park near the Kintai is loaded with ayame - iris. (Click on the link to find out what Japanese think of iris flowers.) Steps lead down from the street above to walkways along the edge for closer viewing of the iris in this area.


I love this beautiful color!


One perfect pale violet-colored bud and blossom. And I love these variegated colors . . .


And this variety has even more petals, but they don't stand up in the center like the iris I've always seen in the US. Here they're more open - amazing.


It's slightly misty today, but not enough to keep us from enjoying this fabulous garden! Looking down the middle of the iris garden from a bridge. Gorgeous!


Passing the wooden pagoda in Kikko Park, as we walk around to visit another iris garden in the park.

Poster advertising the Iris & Hydrangea Exhibit & showing where in the park it's located. To my Friend Sue - every time I see hydrangeas I think of you & miss you!


The Keups in front of a large stone torii, banked by blue & pink hydrangea.


And Stan . . .


Pam wanted to get a picture of Owen in front of the beautiful blue hydrangea, but he was really more interested in the metal handles for the stone covers underneath him!


Ah - there we go! Perfect.


Owen really liked these cute little dogs. There were many people walking dogs here today.


We followed a maintenance man who was going to feed the swans. Aren't they graceful?


This is the iris garden I've been wanting to see. We've been here many times, but never when the iris were in bloom! Hmm - the design of the wooden walkway reminds me of the movie, "Joe vs. the Volcano" . . .


Iris & hydrangea together.


Yikes! Stan & I are both trying to push each other over the side of this narrow walkway . . .

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Wooden signs tell what's what, but of course we can't read them . . .


I LOVE these ruffley iris blossoms! I can't believe this is the first time I've been here this late in June to view them . . .


A photographer takes a picture of me as I take one of him!


Mist on the nearby mountain.


I think I'd like a garden just like this in my backyard some day!


Here come Jake & Owen.


I think these are wild hydrangeas, but in Alabama they are all white!


Buds & center of blossoms are blue! Gorgeous . . .


Fat orange koi in a pond.

Mosquitos are coming out & it's time to go. Besides, we're getting hungry!

Last Dinner with Keups in Iwakuni - 6/18/11

Jake thought it would be appropriate to have their last dinner in Iwakuni at the "Pork Place"on Route 2 in Iwakuni, since it's the first place they ate when they arrived here 5 years ago. They're flying out in the morning and although we're sad to see them leave, we're happy they're going to their desired location: The UK! Notice that the banner hanging next to Pam has a picture of a pig on the bottom . . .


Jake, Owen & Pam - we're going in!


Owen is intrigued with the tie on our waiter's apron.


And he's also interested in the seafood shell Stan is snapping open & closed! Cautious at first . . .


But then smiling!

And now click this link to view a brief GREAT VIDEO of Stan & Owen playing!
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Akiyama Sushi with Keups 6/12/11

Pam, Jake & Owen are leaving soon for a summer in the US and then on to Northern UK for their next assignment. Owen's drawing a crowd (note it's mostly girls!) while we wait to be seated. He's a charmer!


Jake, Pam & Owen


Owen chewing on his cup.


And you'd never know it from this face, but he LOVES avocado!


And tamago (sweetened egg).


And noodles! And yes, he's this happy ALL the time . . . (at least when we're with him!)


Outside under the big yellow "sushi" sign at Akiyama. Photos of food? Naw - I was too busy taking pictures of Owen!


Oh - I love the cute designs painted on this car in the parking lot!

Along Rt 2 - June 2011

Balloon art changes frequently.


Not sure what or why, but cute!