Dreaming of Winter

Earlier this year back in February, the family took our annual ski trip. This year we went to the Iwappara Ski Area. The snow this last winter season was not as good in past years, but we got lucky and arrived there with fresh snow!

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 20mm f/2.8D AF @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

Been busy... So sorry there haven't been any updates

The last several months have been very busy for the family and me. We took a big family vacation in December and early January. We visited friends in Honolulu and family in Las Vegas. The children had a blast, seeing friends in Hawaii and spending time with my Dad, his wife, my brother and sister. We took a big road trip while in Vegas and stayed overnight at the Grand Canyon.

The drive took about 5-hours. We drove over the new Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge which passes Hoover Dam. Too bad you can't see the Dam or much of the bridge. The scenery was amazing, but I don't think the children paid much attention to the desert and dry plains.

Just as we were arriving at the park entrance, it started snowing. Lucky for us, we had a reprieve from the weather when we reached the Visitor Center and Mather Point at the south rim. The view from the rim was truly fabulous and sublime. I just wish that we could have spend more time hiking and exploring. Anyway, enough with the whining.... It was a great time!!!

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f8, ISO 200, 1/640 sec.

Chased

Last week, the family went to Shiga Kogen in the Japan Alps near Nagano for a ski holiday.  We had a great time, the slopes, lodge, instructors and other tour guests were great.  The lodge owner's daughter took a liking to me and chased me around at every opportunity.  This was her last opportunity, and she caught me and gave me a hug.

Snowy Morning, or What's outside your window?

I was working on a project near Akishima, and had the opportunity to stay at the surprising Forest Inn Showakan. It's about an hour from Shinjuku, and can be accessed by train or via the Chuo Highway. The hotel takes full advantage of a forest park and golf course giving guests the feeling of an escape from the city.

While I was staying there, I was lucky enough for it to snow. This first photo was of the view out my window on the sixth floor. It was pretty, but it took me 30-minutes to find an ice scrapper to chip my car our of the snow and ice that accumulated overnight.

This is the view of the woods behind the hotel from the lobby.

You wouldn't believe where you can find a bus stop

On Friday, the family drove to Grinpa Land located in the Fujiyama resort area on the slopes of Mt. Fuji near Gotemba to enjoy some sledding and the snow.  I'm not sure how often the bus stops here, but there's a bus stop at the entrance to the Fujiyama resort area.