Sayonara Shimane
It is raining at 2 AM as I pack up my bags to go. I had hoped to sleep about two more hours, but my daughter had a different plan. So after getting her back to sleep, I find myself wide awake and without good reason to stay in bed. Today is the day that I say goodbye to Shimane, West Nowhere, my home for the last six years. It was here that my wife and I shared our first home, where our two children were born, our familial hometown. But now I load my car and prepare for eleven hours on the highways to reach Yamanashi, our new home. Although we will miss Shimane, it will be a good move for us. We will be closer to family in both Tokyo and Hida-Takayama, and just closer to civilization in general. I leave now for a month on my own, a month to scout while the rest of the family packs up the house. Somehow they have to find a way to fit the contents of our large eight-room home into a small old 3LDK in Kofu. I think that I may be saying a final goodbye to some of my belongings as I leave this morning…
So I am off, it is 2:19 AM and I have spent enough time here. It is time to go. From West Nowhere to the Doorway to the Japanese Alps, I am off…
March 30th, 2006 at 11:12 am
Best of luck with the new life. I’m on the verge of a move to Kyoto and, being a long-time San-in veteran myself, I’m having a hard time leaving my beloved Tottori behind. Happy trails inaka brother…
April 9th, 2006 at 9:57 am
We are all changing for the better, my dear friend. When I read the part about Shimane being the place of your first home as a family, the place where your children were born, I realize what a big deal this is for you. Your album of Shimane is now full and will always be treasured by your family as the beginning of it all. I remember you when you first arrived there, and I see you now, the father of two beautiful children and husband to such a wonderful woman, and I am so proud of your journey thus far!
April 15th, 2006 at 8:57 am
We lived in Kofu for a few months in 2002. Yamanashi is very beautiful and you get nice views of Mt. Fuji from everywhere.
May 22nd, 2006 at 3:49 am
Have you landed yet?
May 29th, 2006 at 11:33 am
Steve! Where are you, Steve? The Fish Slappers need you!!!!!
July 17th, 2006 at 8:37 am
Steve:
I think I know you. Did you study Uechi in Boston? Peter Thorne