XCVIII: Hornet's Nest

We graduated from trains to planes. Or, more accurately, an aircraft carrier that had several planes aboard, and a couple helicopters as well. Also the Apollo 12 module.

The American likes these things because her parents served in the U.S. Navy.

Letting the boy stand by the weapons . . . There's fine parenting for you. (Yes, John, I know they were all locked, but still.)

No pictures of us, mind. Nowhere to display us, thank God; she wasn't allowed to touch anything. If only that were always the case.

XCVII: Training

Our next adventure took place here:

Believe me, it's as scintillating as it sounds.

The littlest child is very fond of trains. I'm led to understand that this is common in children, and especially boys. Which explains why John enjoyed it so much.

And yet, they don't look all that excited . . .

Many scenic views of nothing.

They seem happier to be off the train than they were to be on it.

There were dogs . . .

More nothing . . .

And ever more nothingness . . .
(No, John, I don't mean you.)

She, on the other hand . . .

XCVI: Mother's Day

John has pointed out I haven't posted here in a while, but I have my reasons. In any case, I'll make up for it now by starting with Mother's Day. My mother certainly wasn't around, but The American has three children, so it appears she qualifies for special treatment on this particular holiday.

Special treatment in America (or at least California) = food trucks.

I can't even . . .

Something they call "Off the Grid."

Fine, then, we might have eaten and been through with it all, but then . . .

If you do the maths, you will come to the total of us having gone to a Japanese garden. God only knows why. Maybe because Hakone is one of the oldest and most authentic of such gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Also, The American really likes flowers. Not that there were many. Bamboo, yes, and origami, but not much in bloom.

That, then, was Mother's Day. More to come.

XCV: Nature Walk

More like a death march.

On a windy day, she got the great idea to go tromping around at a local park. Which would have been fine if she hadn't also decided we must go with her.

When not being forced to march, we spent much of the time in trees.

Why, yes, there IS a heart carved on this tree.

Also, this . . .

Which she took as assigned seating.

Parts of the walk were rather desolate.

Yes, all right, John, so what if it is three pictures of the same tree? It makes my point, I think.

There were benches now and again to provide some relief.

More trees . . .

She said this was just an episode of True Detective waiting to happen.
I thought I was the true detective?

Children on and in trees as well.

And then! Finally! Something of interest! Evidence of murder done . . .

When paired with the "M" from earlier, I felt sure Jim had something to do with it.

Turned out to be a dead squirrel. Still, it brightened my day considerably, if briefly.

Then there were more trees . . .

One more bench.

See the yellow bag? We're in there.

Also, children on a bridge.

And mercifully we were finished. At least until Mother's Day brought us yet another forced stroll through the outdoors. But that's another post of another time.