Friday, Worlds Apart

The photos above come from Annie's album compiled yesterday called "Exploring Asakusa." 

This area, which was rebuilt after WWII bombing,  is the entertainment district of Tokyo, including geocaches, of course. 

From Wikipedia, I've learned the following:  Asakusa is on the north-east fringe of central Tokyo, at the eastern end of the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line subway, approximately one mile east of the major Ueno railway/subway interchange. 

It is central to the area colloquially referred to as Shitamachi, which literally means "low city," referring to the low elevation of this old part of Tokyo, on the banks of the Sumida River. 

As the name suggests, the area has a more traditionally Japanese atmosphere than some other neighborhoods in Tokyo do.

I think Annie will be embarking on her Mt. Fuji climb later today (our time), so am looking forward to photos from the adventure. 

THIS JUST IN FROM TOKYO 7:56 a.m. PDT:  Apparently I've walked 24 miles in the past two days. I've seen some amazing places and had a great time with friends new and old. Tomorrow, Mt. Fuji!


Back here on the other side of the world, we're looking forward to lower temperatures and rain.  The rain may come tomorrow, and I doubt that anyone will be complaining.

Last night I walked through a part of the hay field and noticed that all-too familiar crunchy sound with every footstep.

Both my sisters and I turned our horses out to what's usually fall pasture, and as we watch it dry up, we have no regrets.  If we had waited until the usual time, it may have been a complete loss, nutrition-wise. 

We went yesterday to the Dahlberg farm near Black Mountain southeast of Bonners Ferry. They had straw for sale at a good price, so Barbara and Laurie took advantage and filled the trailer with as many bales as possible.

The Dahlbergs are known for their fine hay and oat crops.  Like everyone else involved in area agriculture, they have taken a severe hit in their usual yields----about 40 percent of the usual.  

Part of that is due to the dry summer, but another part, with their oats in particular, suffered because of the elk and deer herds eating the oats before harvest. 

More and more similar stories are indicating that wildlife, feeling totally at home in populated areas, have wreaked a major share of havoc on virtually anything grown domestically. 

At first, it's funny and entertaining, to observe the brazen lengths that deer and elk will go to for their prime meals, but as we watch the overall toll on gardens and farm fields, frustration and anger have replaced the chuckles. 

The past few nights I've added more and more ground cover to my garden, even the nasturtiums, in hopes of having something to show for the hard work I've put in for both beauty and bounty.  It seems to be working. 

Oh yes, we spent time with Stubby (?).  He's half heeler and half Corgey.  He was resting after accompanying Deb on a trail ride. 

And, as you may note, behind the barn roof and windmill, visibility is still pretty limited up in the Bonners Ferry area.

When is that rain coming?

Happy Friday!