Another LONG Bike Ride 5/12/12

It's about noon on a bright, sunny Saturday & we're headed downtown on our bikes. The tide is up as we cross the pedestrian bridge, looking toward the Hwy 188 bridge that is STILL under construction.


That's Stan ahead of me on the bridge.


And to the right, is the other car bridge and the Seto Inland Sea beyond.


We've crossed the trolley track on Hwy 188 downtown & that big white building head is the side of the Fuji Grand Department store that faces 188. This is where we will turn left & bike up the wide, divided street.


The sidewalks are clearly divided here between bikes and pedestrians, and the yellow strip has raised bumps for the blind. Every city has these.


The large downtown police department (in this photo) is across the street from the beautiful civic center, which for some reason I didn't get a picture of . . . it's a beautiful building and many interesting events are held here. We took Japanese classes here a few years ago, and we've been to many exhibitions here. But today, we're here for something different.


Inside, my class - along with several others - is participating in a "Chigirie Exhibition." I'm not participating though, and I'm honestly relieved, since all my classmates have been studying chigirie YEARS longer than I have! But I want to support my class and have a chance to view this beautiful display today.


A closer view of some of the amazing artwork. Chigirie looks like delicate watercolor, but is made with tiny bits of torn washi paper, glued in layers.


More exquisite works.


Beautiful bouquet of roses decorates the table where Japanese washi paper used in chigirie is displayed.


Closer view of some of these amazing pieces of art.




Posing with my class. From the left: Murakami-san, Sensei Fujii-san (our teacher), Okazaki-san, Me, and Yamamoto-san. Jo-san was absent. Sensei told me that the picture in the middle was one she had made many years ago. Although she has taught for over 30 years, my Sensei also still studies chigirie!


After we left the civic center, we headed toward Rte 2. Where the "rabbit" restaurant used to be, is now the downtown Campagne Cafe. We've eaten at the other one that's further away, but this one is close enough to reach by bicycle - Yay! And we're starved - it's nearly 2 PM, so hope we can still get lunch.


Outside some pretty purple asters in a small planter.


Oh, the inside is lovely & looks like it's been here for centuries!




Yum - we're starting with a nice fresh seafood salad to share.


Our hot crunchy garlic bread arrived in German steins (in an Italian cafe!). Cute idea - and Europe is Europe, right?


Stan - my cheerful table mate!


Ah - my favorite! Salmon & spinach pasta with cream sauce. Stan had his usual - meat & tomato sauce spaghetti, but no photo.


Empty bottles behind Stan - but he didn't drink all of them. Alas! They were there before we sat down . . .


And I love the curly bamboo in the ladies toire . . .


Now, we're riding along Rte 2 near downtown. The day is young and now we're energized!


On a quiet shortcut road behind Rte 2, we find small statues with their bright red caps inside a small neighborhood temple area.


See the colorful ropes? Each contains 1000 tiny folded origami cranes!


Further along, more temple buildings. The incense fragrance is sweet and strong here.


Another ancient building in the temple area.


Closer view of the spire on top.


Just beyond on the left side is a beautiful garden along (and above) the train track. All the houses are on the right side of the road.


Look closely in the center - it's broccoli!


And plump sweetpeas!


And further ahead, a huge bed of lavender growing alongside the train track below the road.


Closer view.


And a few iris still in bloom.


Perfect!


Oh there I am reflected in a traffic mirror!


Garlic, I think?


One perfect peony blossom.


Beautiful purple flowers near the road. Not sure what they are, but I see them blooming everywhere this time of year. They look like hosta to me.


Riding out of the quiet neighborhood back toward Rte 2.


Cute "truck" with tiny bed in back. We're riding on Rte 2 toward the Kintai area. It's a beautiful day for a long bike ride.

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Ride to Kintai Bridge 5/12

It's still early and we decide in order to work off our pasta lunch, we'll ride another few miles to the Kintai Bridge area. It's always so beautiful and maybe we can still catch the irises in bloom? As we approach the Nishiki River, trees everywhere are blooming and gently fragrant!


Closer view - I want some of these in my yard when we move back to US!


Stan riding over the car/pedestrian bridge. The hillside ahead is dotted with these same blossoming trees!


Looking at the Kintai bridge & cormorant boats from the bridge we're riding across. Stan is very patient to wait while I photo . . .


Our reflections in a large traffic mirror . . .


Beautiful stone bridge.


Stan under a large stone torii. Last time we were here was last year with Jake, Pam & Owen . . .


Teahouse with shaped pine, spent azalea, and a few irises below.


A quiet temple surrounded by beautiful trees.


Looking around at many stone lanterns.


A closer view of one of the lanterns.


One of my VERY favorite things in this park behind the Kintai. It's a motion-activated music box that begins to play as you walk (or bike!) by. Sugoi!!! CLICK to listen & view this brief video:


A few iris still blooming.


Children & their parents feeding the koi in a small pond.


As we ride around to the other park, fountains are spraying. Lots of families gather here.


The children are really enjoying the cool spray, although it's not very hot today.


Pretty flowers near the huge plum tree in the park.




And one azalea is still trying to hold on to its blossoms.


Near the Kintai is always crowded - but especially on this beautiful early summer day.


Stan's in line at our favorite ice cream shop.


Little girl happily playing in a little water fountain near the shop.


Yum! Chocolate for me (of course!) and probably caramel & vanilla for Stan . . . ? The heart-shaped wafer cookie is a yummy addition!


And nearby goodies are roasting over charcoal cookers. One need never go hungry here!


Yum! Those fish look & smell delicious! The circular cookers are surrounded with straw bales out of which the cooking sticks protrude!


Delicate flowers on a nearby shrub.


Crossing back over the car/pedestrian bridge with view of Kintai Bridge. It's just a little after 4, but the sun sets early behind the nearby mountain here.


Oh that's the vehicle that's usually parked near the ropeway. We've never seen it driving before! It's fueled with charcoal . . .


One last glimpse of the Kintai Bridge from in front of the bus station before we head for home.


Purple shamrock in someone's yard.


And its delicate flowers.


Riding away from the Kintai Bridge along the "Dr Seuss Trees" street with bright red shrine up above on the left side.


Waiting for the light at a junction on Hwy 2.


Looking down into the tunnel that goes under the trolley line - one of our shortcuts!


Looking from the road down into the lush gardens along the river.


And looking up at the hotel near the shrine that overlooks the river.


Crossing the bridge - looking out toward the Seto Inland Sea.


Wow - a bunch of VERY cool motorcycles stopped at a traffic light. Stan estimated we went about 12 km today. That's 7.4 miles - hooray for us old farts!

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