Iwakuni

After exploring Osaka, Yoshino, and Kyoto I hopped another bullet train to head another two hours to Iwakuni.  I was excited that I would be meeting up with friends, but honestly I had enjoyed being alone. As much as I told myself that I wouldn't like vacationing solo, I did like getting up when I wanted, going where I wanted to go, eating when and where I wanted to, and just being okay when I didn't do everything on my lists.  It's quite the realization and it also helps me to know that I'm continuing to grow and change personally...and honestly, I like what I'm seeing.  

I arrived in Iwakuni and was met at the train station by friends.  We headed straight to Kikko Park where the famous Kintai Bridge is located.  I was lucky enough to make it in time to enjoy the first birthday party for a friend's daughter.  

I was also lucky enough to enjoy the cherry blossoms here too.  You would think that after seeing so many along the way I would be tired of them, but there is something magical.  Maybe it's that they only last a couple of days, or maybe it's that they are symbolic of the new beginnings of spring.  Whatever the reason, I couldn't get enough!

Here is the famous Kintai Bridge, which is famous for its five arches and the fact that there are no nails used in its construction.  It does create quite a beautiful scene.  In fact, there were many people there with photographers.  I had to wait patiently and edge my way into this scene just so I could get my own perfect shot.   

I love how each cherry blossom is different.  They come in every color from bright pink to peaceful white with many mixes along the way.  

After a great birthday cookout, my friend took me to the "big ball" in order to get my very own sake barrel.  After quite the experience at the factory and after making MANY new friends, we drove away with two new barrels.  

It was way too big for me to take on the train, so I had it packed up and shipped to myself in Yokosuka.  It was my only real purchase during my trip, so you can imagine how excited I was when I returned home and it was waiting at the post office for me.  Here I am...it was like Christmas!

After unwrapping it like an excited kid, I had to decide where to put it in my house.  No, it didn't stay at the dining room table, but instead next to my entertainment center.  I look at it and love it every day.  Can you see the Kintai Bridge?

On my principal's recommendation, I had to eat at the "chicken shack", which of course is not the proper name of the restaurant, but instead what Americans in the area call this place.  It is the gaudiest and most outrageously decorated place that I've been so far in my travels.  There were many different buildings and seating areas.  We had to stalk diners just to get seats when they came available.  

Part of the seating area was outside, which turned out to be fantastic.  The ambiance is unmatchable and the food was great too.  It really was chicken on a stick, except it was an entire thigh or breast.  They had many other things that were great too.  

After dinner, we had to get a group shot.  The only person missing is Mary, who insisted that she was in no shape to take a picture with us.  I had a great time and look forward to visiting again.  

I also had the opportunity to go on a Hash run with the Iwakuni crew.  It was a great hike in the woods near Onouri.  The scenery was beautiful and the company was great too.  It reminded me of my adventures in the river bottoms near my childhood home in Riverton, well, minus the beers.  

We hiked, climbed some hills, hiked, and climbed some more until we reached the top.  This was the view.  

You are looking at Miyajima Island and Hiroshima in the distance.  

It was quite exhausting, especially because much of it was sliding on my rear and climbing using the roots of trees to pull myself up.  

But, this view was worth it.  It makes me think of how many sights like this I am missing out on because I just don't know that they're there.  All the more reason to hike more in my neck of the woods.  

We hiked down some more and found another natural treasure.  Let's just say the water was freezing!

Here's the whole crew.  We hiked like rock stars.  I am so happy that I met such a great group.  I'm sad that we live so far apart, and that many of them are moving to Europe this summer, although that just means that I'll have many friends there when I move there in the future.