Climbing Mount Fuji tomorrow

Mona took this picture on our first trip to see Mt. Fuji earlier this year.

Andrea and Zach really want to climb Mount Fuji so, on Sunday, we are going to make the trip. We have done a little research to help make the climb easier. The first thing we needed to find out was how doable the climb was going to be. Good news, no real expertise or technical experience needed - just a very steep climb at high altitude on an active volcano. Good news, indeed.

We have read quite a bit on what to expect on the climb and a list of things to take. Mona has even been looking at some facebook posts from people who have made the climb and found some good information - like take money to use the bathrooms located on the mountainside. So, here is the list of things that we have come up with so far:

Backpack for each one of us
Sunscreen lotion
Hats
Hiking boots (especially for the climb down)
Snacks (easy and high energy)
Water (we can buy more on the mountain)
Wind/Rain jacket
Layers of clothing (to help with the changes in temperatures)
Change of clothes (there is a chance of rain)
Avoid cloth clothing (takes too long to dry out if it rains)
Walking Stick

I found a website that forecasts the weather for the different altitudes on the mountain. Looks like around 63 degrees from where we will start and will drop to the mid-40's at the summit. Fortunately, only a light wind and a slight chance of rain.

The plan is to leave here by 4:30 a.m. so we can be in Fujikawaguchiko by 6:30 to get in line for a shuttle that will take us to the 5th station. The first shuttles that leave are at 6:40, 7:10 and 8:10. Not sure what to expect as to how the lines, etc.

The last shuttles leave Mount Fuji at 6:10, 7:10, 7:50 and 8:40. So, we definitely have a time limit on when have to be back at the 5th Station.

Speaking of time, the expected time frame is about 9 hours - six hours to reach the summit and 3 hours to get back down. If we decide to walk around the crater rim at the summit, it will take an additional hour to hour and a half. It will be interesting to see if we have the time or the energy to walk the rim.

There are 4 different routes to the top - Yoshida Trail, Subashiri Trail, Gotemba Trail and Fujinomiya Trail. We are going to take the easiest and the one recommended for first timers - the Yoshida Trail. One of the things that we have to worry about is taking the correct route on the way down. There is a point where the trail diverges, if we take the wrong one we will end up in a different area than where we started. Fortunately, the trails are color-coded. The Yoshida trail has yellow signs - hopefully, we won't miss any signs. It might make for an even longer day.

Back in the USA - Rafting the Rio Grande

One of our favorite things to do when we go to the mountains is rafting the Rio Grande. This year we had two groups raft - one group did the more mellow Orillo Verde and one group did some white water rafting on the Race Course section.

Unfortunately, they didn't have any professional photographers on the Orillo Verde
 on the day we rafted, so they had to use Mona's iphone to take pictures. 

The Orillo Verde group actually ended up using two rafts - Mona took this picture from the other raft.

Here is another picture of the other raft on the Orillo Verde. No pictures of the other group because no one on this raft brought a camera or iphone - so Mona was really the big risk taker in this group.

I did find one photo of the passengers in the other raft. 
Mona took this picture of mom. I think there are some
more photos - if I find them, I will post them later.

This is the only picture of the Race Course group. I will post more pictures
when we get the CD from the photographer

Back in the USA - the Blue Hole

On of our favorite stops are on our way back from the mountains is the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. The Blue Hole is a sink hole that is continually fed with spring water that has a constant temperature of 64 degrees. Since I was little, my mom has taken us to see the Blue Hole. In the last five years or so, not only have we stopped to see the Blue Hole every year, but it has become a tradition to take a quick dip in the extremely cool water. It is a bit of shock to your system but you leave feeling refreshed.

 Andrea and Macie jumping in while Kat, Logan and I are waiting for our turn.

Logan's turn. Macie and Andrea show their shock from the cold water. :)

Had to put two pictures for Katrina and myself. Why? Katrina was a little hesitant.































Kat finally jumps!

I included two of the portraits. This picture doesn't have everyone who was at the Blue Hole - Mona's mom was taking the picture. The picture that follows has everyone but there are some shadows.

Mona wanted me to take one of my infamous self-portraits.
 I like this picture - don't think anyone was ready.

After jumping into the Blue Hole, we usually go to a nearby pond/swimming pool.
The lake is feed by the same spring but it is not nearly as cold.

Back in the USA - going to the mountains # 2

Fishing -

 Andrea helping Kyla by putting bait on her line.

Mom walking with Kadence and Misha. Kadence actually caught a fish but was not too happy when we the fish touched her while we were trying to take a picture.

Alex with Chi Chi - neither one was too excited about getting close to the water.

Macie and Chi Chi.

Amber and me fishing the Cimarron River. I like this picture because I caught a fish shortly after this - Amber showed me where the fish was rising but she couldn't get it to bite. :)

Katrina helping Jaxon with his pole with mom looking on.

Neat picture of mom and the kids.

Couldn't leave out Cha Cha.

Back in the USA - going to the mountains #1

One of the things that we love to do is taking a trip to the mountains. It something that we look forward to - especially during the summer time.

The cousins outside our cabins - Sierra Bonita.

On the streets of Red River.

Waiting for the 'gunfight' in Red River

Posing with mom.

The kids love playing in the fire pit.

Extremely cold group at Eagle's Nest Lake

Playing in the Cimarron River.

Amber talking, Kat trying to fish.

Back in the USA - Bucky Bash 2016

After a 12 hour plane ride, we landed in Dallas and went straight to our annual family get together called Bucky Bash.We were true time travelers - leaving Tokyo on Friday at 6:30 and arriving in Dallas on Friday at 4:30. Surprisingly, the jet lag did not seem to bother us too much. It was a great weekend - and it was great to be back home.

Macie's going to high school and we are going to Texas (for vacation)

Macie finished her last day of middle school yesterday. She is so excited - mainly because summer is finally here and we are going back to Texas today. Bucky Bash, here we come.