Kintai Fireworks - 8/6/11

Here we are biking out the front gate of MCAS Iwakuni about 12:45 - on a VERY hot Saturday. We're headed for the Kintai Bridge for the day, and it will be crowded, so it's easier to ride than to drive & park. "Mad dogs & Englishmen" in the mid-day sun . . . !!!


That's Stan in front of me carrying our cooler. Both my baskets are full with everything we need, including our camp chairs. Right after this, we stopped & chatted with an older lady who was amazed that we were riding our bikes to the Kintai! She shook her head and told us, "Ganbatte" as we rode off - which means "good luck" or "do your best" . . .


Lush gardens near the Monzen River - the first bridge we cross on our long trip. We're not biking very fast today since it's so hot, but there's always a nice breeze when you're riding. It's just that the sun is directly overhead . . .


Looking to the right from the bridge - out toward the Seto Inland Sea.


I love these houses that face the river. It would be very cool to live there.


Large hotel near a shrine high on a hill facing the river on the other side. We went there a few years ago and the view from the top was fantastic! But today, we're pedaling on . . .


Shady shortcut along the river. In April, these cherry trees will be a canopy of dainty pink blossoms, but for now, they give us blessed shade & a cooler ride.


Another shortcut takes us under a railroad bridge, and there we found a good-luck crane.