Trip To Japan - Traveling to Hakone

On Tuesday, 27-JAN, we all headed out for Hakone - the area around Mt. Fuji. We had multiple modes of transportation during our trip and some really fantastic views. We used the following modes of transportation:

1. train (which used switchbacks to get up the mountain)
2. inclined cable car (short ride from train to rope way)
3. rope way (gondola cars across the valley - really great views of Mt. Fuji)
4. pirate ship (complete w/ Japanese pirates - not really)
5. bus

The inclined cable car was short but rather steep - which you can't really tell from this picture.
Most of our pictures - or at least interesting pictures - were taken from the rope way. As we started out we saw a lot of steam rising from one of the areas below us. We also noticed the yellow sulfur on the ground. This area is know for is hot baths.
We had some really outstanding views of Mt. Fuji during our trip across the rope way. Here are some of our favorite pictures out of the many we took - thank goodness for digital cameras.
We got a good picture of Chris, Amy, Adam and Lottie with Mt. Fuji in the background. Mt. Fuji is a bit hard to see, but trust us, it's there.

Next came our trip on the pirate ship. We got a good view from the rope way of the ship coming into dock. Then we all went down to get on board for the short trip across the lake.As typical in Japan, we pay close attention to all signs. They always carry important and useful information. This sign is an excellent example.After the ship, we caught a bus for the ride to our rokan (Japanese style hotel). We'll cover that in our next posting.

Trip to Japan: Part 1

On 20-JAN, we flew out of DFW (on a 6 am flight!) headed for Tokyo, Japan, to visit Chris, Amy, Adam and Lottie. After a really good flight, we arrived in Tokyo at about 3:30 pm on 21-JAN. Chris was at the airport to meet us - well he actually had to meet a new JAG officer coming in and just happened to be there at the time we were arriving - but it sounds good anyway. We got to visit with him a while before getting on the military bus bound for Sagamihara housing and Zama (or so we thought!). To make a long story short, the bus skipped the housing area and went directly to Zama. The driver was surprised when we wanted to go to the housing area. He called a van to pick us up and deliver us to Chris and Amy's house. A bit late, but we got there safely.

As typical grandparents, we always say a quick hello to the parents and head for the kids. We still have a chance to spoil them. Here are a few shots of Rosie and Bob with Adam and Lottie. Rosie enjoyed reading to Lottie and Adam. Here's Rosie and Lottie enjoying a good book.Next, Bob and Adam are reading an exciting book.
Bob and Lottie enjoyed their matching orange shirts. Aren't they cute?Here's Amy with a really heavy load - Adam and Lottie. They really love their Mom.One afternoon we went to the local bowling alley for a little bowling. Chris, Amy and Adam all bowled; they used a lane with bumper rails on the lane. Here's a picture of Chris helping Adam launch his ball down the alley. We also brought Christmas presents with us; nothing like Christmas in January. Lottie's present was a baby doll and carriage. Being the great Dad he is, Chris got stuck with putting the baby carriage together. Lottie enjoyed pushing the carriage around.
We gave Adam a yellow wooden dump truck made by the Hot Springs Village Woodworkers.

After spending a few days getting over jet-lag, we headed out on a trip to Hakone and Tokyo (the New Sano Hotel). More on this in the next post.

Visiting the Flachmans in Dickinson, TX

From 15-JAN to 19-JAN we visited with Karen, Shane and Logan. We were there to visit and for Bob to run the Houston half marathon on Sunday, 18-JAN. We had a great visit and enjoyed the really nice (i.e. warm) weather while we were there.

Logan is really walking a lot. He can walk by himself, but he's always ready to grab a finger and bring you along. Here he's grabbed Rosie and "off they go!"

Since the weather was so nice, we spent a good bit of time outside. There was a small hole right off the patio. This hole was just big enough for Logan's two feet to fit in. I'm sure he thinks it was there just for him. Anyway, here he is with his feet in the hole.

Logan is also able to use the "doggie door" to go in and out whenever he wants. Here he is coming back in. Nothing like an early morning stroll in your pajamas.

Rosie enjoys cooking and she always has lots of "help" when she cooks at the Flachman house. Here, Zoe and Sam help clean a bowl before it goes into the dishwasher.

It was a bummer to have to leave, but Logan was in a really good mood the morning we left. He and Bapa (aka Bob) had big grins for the camera.Thanks, Karen, Shane and Logan, for a great visit. We'll see you again soon!

Aramco Houston Half Marathon

On Sunday, 18-JAN, Bob ran in the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Rosie, Karen and Logan went downtown to the Convention Center to cheer Bob on. We all got up at 4:30 and left for downtown Houston at 5 am. The race started at 7 am, but the streets around the Convention Center started to close at 6 am.

Here are two pictures of Karen, Logan and Bob and Logan and Bob before the race.

Here's a picture of Bob after the race (a bit tired).

The weather was great; temperatures in the upper 50s and sunny. Bob finished the race in 1 hour and 52 minutes or a pace of 8 min and 35 seconds/mile. He finished 34th out of 247 in his age group (old farts). Next up is the Little Rock Marathon on 15-MAR.

HSV January Audubon Society Mtg - Birds of Prey

On Friday, Rosie went to the January HSV Audubon Society Meeting. The presenter was Tommy Young, an Arkansas wildlife rehabilitator. Tommy takes in any injured animal and rehabilitates it. If at all possible, the animal will be returned to the wild after rehab. Tommy has been doing wildlife rehab for more than 26 years. He's a real expert.

At the January HSV Audubon Society meeting, Tommy brought three birds of prey and discussed how they develop, hunt, etc. The first bird he showed was the Eurasian Horned Owl. This owl is not native to the USA but has been brought here for breeding in hopes that the endangered species can be revived in Europe and Asia.

Next, he brought out a Ferruginous Hawk (which is also known as a booted owl).Finally, he showed us a juvenile Red Tailed Hawk.He talked about when birds of prey hunt. They have an ideal "hunting weight." Above this weight, they're too heavy (due to a recent meal) which slows their hunting speed. Once they get back down to their hunting weight, they get hungry and start to hunt again.

As far as eating habits go, hawks typically eat anything on the ground with fur; falcons catch their prey in the air (i.e. has feathers); owls will eat basically anything.

Females birds of prey are typically about 1/3 larger than males and are more powerful. The males are typically smaller and faster. Hey - sounds like the males need to be able to outrun those females.

I was also surprised to know that hawks - the 10% that survive the juvenile stage - can live to be 40 years old. What's their secret to staying so young looking?

Ice in HSV

Early this week (Monday and Tuesday), we had freezing rain and ice in HSV. Luckily it was warm enough that the ice didn't form on the roads. We did have to be careful on the bridges and overpasses, however. While Bob was over at the gym exercising, Rosie took Sam on a "forced march" around the neighborhood.

Here are some pictures of Sam - sniffing as usual - unfazed by all the ice.

Here are some photos taken along the road near our house. You can see the weight of the ice causing some of the pine trees to bend slightly. Also, the road is clear of ice.Since no one was playing golf that morning, Rosie took Sam for a short walk over the cart path. It was beautiful with all the ice on the trees - a real "winter wonderland."Finally, Rosie got a great picture of the island in the middle of the small lake near our house. Not much ice to see, but the island and its reflection in the water are beautiful. Looks like a neat painting.The nicest part of winter in Arkansas is that ice and snow are GONE as quickly as they come. By Wednesday, it was sunny and the temperature was in the upper 50s. FYI - the worst part of ice and snow in Arkansas is: 1) the crazy drivers (old plus inexperienced on ice/snow) and 2) trees downing power lines (pine trees bend easily with ice and snow). That's all for now. More later!

Moonshine in the Village!

We were told by our friend, Tom Huber, that the remnants of an old whiskey still were just off Casino road (at the unpaved part of the road). So, being the adventurers they are (actually nosey), Rosie and Bob took a ride over to see if they could find this still.

As Tom indicated, it was fairly easy to see from the road. It was back in the woods about 50 yards off the road. It's obviously been out of service for a long time. Back when it was in service, that part of HSV (which probably wasn't HSV) was very rural.

It's really hard to tell from this picture, but below is the burner for the still.

Next, Bob is standing by what looks like the distillation column and condenser. Looks like they used air to condense the alcohol. Maybe they worked in the cooler weather only.

Well so much for the excitement. I sure those revenuers would be all over any stills around here today. Besides, folks are too busy making other illegal junk - if it's not one thing, it's another.

New Year's Eve 2008

Four couples from Hot Springs Village got together this year to celebrate the incoming of 2009. The group included the Callicotts (Bob and Rosie), Hubers (Tom and Ellie), MacKendrick (Bob and Ana) and Wessel (Carl and Donna). A "progressive dinner" was the plan for the evening.

We started the progressive dinner with appetizers at Tom and Ellie's house. Here's a picture of Tom and Ellie in their kitchen.

Next we had salad at Carl and Donna's house. Before the salad, we took the opportunity to get pictures of the women and men. In the women's picture, from L to R is Ellie, Ana, Donna and Rosie. In the men's picture, from L to R is Bob M., Tom, Carl and Bob C.

Finally, we went to Bob and Rosie's house for dinner and dessert - and to wait for the new year. Next is a picture of most of the group (except photographer, Rosie) getting ready to eat.

After dinner we played Wii tennis and bowling. Here's a picture of the guys playing a little doubles tennis.

We did manage to stay awake and semi-alert until 2009 arrived. We toasted the new year with sparkling grape juice. I think we all had a great time. Maybe we can do this again next year, a "new tradtion". Hope you have a great 2009!