Camping in the Canyon!

So I know these pictures are not in any sort of order but I was just so excited to finally figure out how to post more than four photos that I had to do it. Anyway this is a snippet of our Obon weekend.

This is me trying to steal a bit of Peter's potato, tofu, and unknown gelatin on a stick. Of the three choices I went with the potato, a decision I immediately regretted. And not because the others were better, but rather because the whole thing was sick. Peter wasn't too satisfied with the purchase himself, but he is trying to be more adventurous with the foods he eats. I'm still sticking with what I know. Japanese food grosses me out.

This is a photo of the canyon we camped in.

Thank you Courtney for not forgetting your camera. Camping by the river brought back a flood of Montana memories, the good and the bad. For what it's worth, the scenery was breathtaking.

This is a picture of us up on the so-called "vine bridge" which, I will tell you, is not really a vine bridge but a cleverly disguised cable bridge. We were all a little disappointed by that, but it was still very scary to walk across. For me anyways.

Can you see the fear in my face? I was seriously terrified to be on that bridge. The gaps were so big I promise I could have easily fallen through.

This was a little swimming hole close to where we were camping. The water was so blue and refreshing. It was really nice to get into after everything with Happy Raft was all said and done.

Here is Peter with his grilling face on... you know the furrowed brow, where he kinda looks angry. Rie and Katsumi are next to him eating some dinner after a long day on the river. Rafting seemed like a bit of a shock to both of them, but they were really fun to have around.

Me at an early morning duck feeding. I was later joined by an old man that seemed to do this every morning. The experience as a whole was pretty cathartic. Although I will never know how those ducks were withstanding that current. That river is pretty intense.

More pictures to come of our weekend in Saijo, rafting and canyoneering.

I Get It I'm Out of Shape!

Just wanted to post this really "hot" picture of me after a great run, which I plan on never doing again for the following reasons:

-my shoes give me blisters

-its all up hill

-my "keep me cool" necktie doesn't "keep me cool" long enough

-my running coach is too cute and i get distracted

-all the sidewalks slant towards the road

-i get angry when im hot

and

-i look like this afterwards

A Night In Turns Into A Night Out

After spending the entire morning, afternoon and evening inside reading, watching Beverly Hills 90210 (the older years), and making egg rolls I needed a treat before we started our bedtime movie, "The Watchmen".  So Peter walked me to Circle K, but on our way we were stopped by a big party in the streets of Sakaide of all places.  It was wild!  Drums were pounding, people were dancing, and of course venders were selling a bunch of crap. If Japan has one thing goign for it it's the great sense of communal unity, there is always a party.  

Here is Peter pre-party making delicious egg rolls.

Thank goodness I had already had dinner:(  Squid on a stick anyone? I'll take a hot dog please!

The kids catch eels in a shallow tank with a hook on a stick.  One kid just shoved his hook through its gills. I got real pukey! Eels kinda scare me too, they are very suspicious looking.

There were about 10 of these float-like things lined up next to each other. I think it was some sort of float battle.

                                               

Although our day inside was amazing, getting out is always nice too.

i love you even though your a MONSTER!

I live with a monster... a sweat monster. His name is Peter. His favorite food is hot dogs and he likes to be sang to sleep. After 2 hours in the non-air conditioned Sakaide Elementary school, Peter looks like this. Its not enough that as he leaves 50 naked five year olds (due to swimming lessons) ambush him with hugs. He has to go home like this. Notice the sweat along the top of his shorts.

I still love you sweat monster!

Yoshino River Rafting Trip

    We went whitewater rafting in the Yoshino river this past weekend and it was, hands down, the greatest day that we have had in Japan to date.  The water was perfect, the scenery amazing, and our river guide a New Zealander with a seriously heavy accent.  Does it get any better?  Needless to say it was an excellent time.  We went with some fellow GEM School teachers who we have become fairly fast friends with, Chris & Courtney Thompson and Hans & Suzie Stephensen; and we can proudly say that everyone made sure to bring their "A" game to the river. 

    One of the most entertaining parts of the trip, however, was not actually on the raft though.  Rather, it was the small cliff jumping that we were able to do periodically as we made our way down river.  It was nothing too high or spectacular, but they were cliffs that both the Dangerford's could handle with ease.  And For those of you who had the frustrating pleasure of witnessing Lacy's hesitancy to jump off the small cliff at Navajo Falls in Havasupai, be sure to congratulate her on the recent jumps that she conquered.  Not only were they much higher cliffs, but they were into a pretty fast flowing river.  It was a amazing.  

Here is Peter jumping off the first cliff in all of his gear, including the borrowed Chuck Taylor's.  Cool, Collective, Excellent Form.  Peter.

It was agreed among the entire group that although Lacy looked like a small doll jumping into the river, she was the best jumper of the bunch.  Little, Confident, Toy Like.  Lacy.

This is a picture of us just before we hit some seriously gnarly whitewater.  Notice the confidence.  "A" game.

In order to cool our jets after the rough water our guide thought it prudent that we all took some time to just relax and float down stream.

Is this for real????

But Shelly should I swim with this?

Photo courtesy of Cicily Bowles.

Swimming in Japan..... NO!

One of the many reasons to not swim in the ocean in Japan!