Can you see the raindrops standing on the lotus leaf on the left side?


More birds . . .


I like this sign in the lotus fields outside the Monzen side of the base. It shows a pink lotus with a cute little face.

Around the Air Station . . .

Coming into the new entrance to the Monzen Gate.

and a little closer.


See how covered up this worker is? It's very hot & humid today, but she's totally protected from the sun.


Driving on base toward our mid-rise.

I bought a lotus bouquet at the Japanese grocery store. It contained one open flower, one bud, and one pod. Aren't they beautiful?






I don't think I've shown you the new wallpaper that I put on our front door a few months ago. Since our door faces the elevators, I've gotten all kinds of reactions -- from folks thinking they're on the wrong floor, to thanking me for reminding them of peaceful beaches. Just something new . . .

Right across the street (next to the jet hangar) the new bowling alley has been finished & is open for business. We've been watching them build it, so we're going to try their new A&W for lunch.


I like our "new" car -- a 1997 Daihatsu Atrai. The best part is that it has a yellow tag -- which means much lower compulsary insurance & license fees each year. It is also VERY economical with it's 3-cylinder, turbo-charged engine, although it is 4-wheel drive. (It sounds a bit like a lawn mower . . . ) I don't know how, but it seems much roomier on the inside than on the outside!


Stan actually fits comfortably inside . . .

Now, Stan -- it's not that light!


Entrance to the new bowling alley.

Here's the inside -- bright & roomy.


I like this fun carpet!


Stan places our order at the new A&W (unfortunately, no diet A&W, though). The worker behind the counter gives me the usual "peace" sign.

We've gone into the bar (where it's quieter) to watch the Olympics & eat our lunch.


As we walk back to our car, you can see our building behind it. If it weren't so hot & humid, we could have ridden our bikes over. It's very close.


The oleanders that line the golf course are pretty this summer.

Flying Back to Japan -- 8/5 & 6

Well, we're on the plane in Birmingham, but we're grounded because of bad weather near Chicago. We arrived at the Birmingham airport before 5 AM, but did not take off until 9. So much for our comfortable 4.5-hour layover in Chicago . . . BTW -- when we finally did arrive in Chicago, the weather was beautiful . .


Whoa -- look at the difference here! Although we had to run through O'Hare airport in Chicago, we JUST made our flight to Tokyo as it was boarding! And -- this is the best part -- we had enough miles to upgrade to BUSINESS CLASS (kinda like first class on domestic flights), so that made up for our long wait in Birmingham . . .

Oh, too bad you can't read this. It's our menu for our appetizer & dinner entree choices . . .

and dessert, and other light meals & snacks throughout the rest of the flight.


Look how roomy our "recliners" are up here in Business Class.

We're in the air just a few minutes away from Chicago heading for Tokyo.

Oh, yes we'll have another glass of wine . . . wait, make mine champagne!


Celebrating our upgrade to Business Class!


The wine cart was always coming & going in this section.

This is the appetizer tray to hold us until dinner. (the food may be the best part of Business Class!)


This is my entree, pecan-crusted chicken with grilled veggies & rice. Stan had beef . . .



We've finally landed in Tokyo, made it through Customs & baggage & Stan's buying our train tickets.

Leaving the airport & entering the train station. We've got our tickets for the airport shuttle train to Tokyo Station, then we take the Shinkansen (bullet train) on to Iwakuni, via Hiroshima, where we have to change trains again. Since Iwakuni is a smaller city, not all "Shins" stop there.


A plane flies over our airport shuttle train.


Look at these beautiful bright green fields! It's great to be back in Japan!

When we arrived at Tokyo Station, all the trains were delayed due to bad weather near Kyoto. It was a mob scene (more than usual!) and again we had to run to make the very last train to Iwakuni. But we made it! It's been a wild day . . .

"Flying" past another train.


Big city (don't remember which one!) at night. We're pretty jet-lagged by now after traveling more than 24 hours since we left Birmingham . . .

Back in Birmingham -- It's Nearly Time to Return to Japan

One night at Holly's, there was a terrific thunderstorm & lightening hit this tree next door. You can see where it broke off. Of course the power went off, but it was restored some time in the middle of the night. Although it was a huge tree, it fortunately did not fall on anyone's cars or other houses.

Time is running out on our summer vacation, so we're trying to hit all our favorite places. Look at these delicious homemade onion rings from Lloyd's BBQ in Birmingham. I can't remember what else I had (nor did I take any other pictures!) but can you tell that the onion rings are my absolute favorite?

We're meeting Sue & Bill at our favorite BBQ restaurant in Birmingham -- Dreamland! Read more here: http://www.dreamlandbbq.com/


Here's the front door . . . we can already smell the delicious ribs!


Stan took this picture of the "No Farting" sign, but I think he lowered the camera before it actually finished. Makes a real "artsy-fartsy" pic, don't you think?

One of the rib chefs -- of course, it's always a little on the warm side in Dreamland, but it's worth it!


Kampai! We're waiting for Sue & Bill with ice-cold beer . . .


This guy, looking innocent behind me, leaned over & tried to join the previous picture, but didn't make it in time. He was quite a cut-up and we enjoyed meeting him and his family & giving them a card to find our blog. Hope they do . . .