Snow in March. It's got a month to get warm or I'm not walking...Seriously. We're done chilaxing after our weekend Soundtracker jaunt up to Zao, where actually between the hot spring mania we caused and the general raucous and rule breaking, we got quite a bit accomplished. Yes, we talked, and drank and probably planned a lot. But, you know, we don't quite remember what. A bit like the Soundtracks version of The Hangover. But it was certainly a very good plan at the time. That's for sure.
Em, Erin and Marnie are now fully fledged, passionate followers of our "highway rest-stop circle". You all know how much we love a good rest-stop and the spectacular array of goods one can acquire there. You could leave me at the automated coffee vending machine for hours. Really, my coffee is on video. I can see it being made inside the machine. Hello Square - still a fave.
So up in Zao we spa-ed in the milky sulfuric baths. Which clarified more than once our "down-wind" rule. For the rest of my life I will never, ever, ever get over the site of Em, Erin and Tee sitting in those 3 hot spring pots at Shinzaemon-no-yu with towels wrapped around their heads, bows at the front. If only it hadn't been so crowded I could have snuck the camera in...next time. We cafe-ed the days away, put up with my eye sty and marveled at Trace's ability (the photographer) to be in every photo.
Nat was clearly with us on the first day when there was nothing but fog. We climbed mountains - rope-ways count right?
Snow monsters had clearly "fell off" as we'd been informed. Nothing left but sticks. There was no way they'd be back. We'll catch them next year.
We did some cross-training on Sunday, after Em's magnificent nude snow-diving performance Saturday eve from onsen to treacherous snow embankment and back. She inspired us all, so we went public (yet fully clothed) in a nice snowy plot somewhere in downtown Zao. It was good. It was fun. We hurt a lot now.
A good 2 days of non-stop laughs. Which is exactly the kind of preparation we need considering the nonsense that usually follows us. Team-work training. Once you've shared an onsen together, you've shared all. Literally.
So we're done with the easy stuff and we hit the trail again this coming Saturday, rain, hail or shine (actually shine only, if I have my way). Doing CP4-6... 27.5km. Hopefully I will not have inhaled every foodstuff in sight and have to endure the consequences of the last amble up this hill. Erin's testing the new shoes. She's gone all Montrail Mountain Masochist on her bad self... Woo Hoo! They look fab.
So there you have it - The Attacker, The Streaker, The Winged Horse and The Masochist. What a team. Will keep you all updated.
Many, many thanks to SUE/MUM for her lovely DONATION and for thinking of us so much! We walk for you!
Comments