Strawberries and playgrounds

We shared a fun day with Yukari's aunt, who took us strawberry picking. Of course, today was a national holiday in Japan -- the start of the long spring holiday, "Golden Week" -- so most of the strawberries had already been picked! Luke did enjoy finding a few red ones here and there, though. Ian slept through it all.

Afterward, we had a nice lunch and visited a playground in Shiozawa, another small town here in the mountains. It was a lot of fun for the boys to see so many other kids (out of school today) at the playground.

The hike

One of my favorite walks is up the mountain behind Yukari's family home here in Niigata. I have posted photos here before, from our last trip, and was really looking forward to this year as Luke and Ian are now old enough to join us hiking up the hill. There are great views overlooking the valley, and it really shows how much snow is still on the mountain tops here.

Back in Japan

We departed Charlotte a day late, due to weather, and made the long trip to Tokyo. Yukari and the boys will be staying here through to early July. I have a couple of conference presentations in Indonesia in May, but will join them again here in Japan early June for a month of rural Japanese life.

So far, we really have enjoyed visiting Japan again in the springtime. It has been years since I have seen both the snow on the mountains and the flowering trees here. Luckily, we have had a few sunny days to enjoy the sakura (cherry blossoms) with a day at Zenibuchi park, here in Yukari's hometown.

Kite Weather

Enjoyed a few days of early spring in Virginia Beach, before we leave for Japan later this month. Not exactly swimming weather yet, but a beautiful day Saturday to enjoy flying kites.

Virginia Welcome Center

Whenever we come to visit the family in Virginia Beach, we always stop at the Virginia state line Welcome center. The boys need a few minutes of fresh air at the playground there.