Cherry Blossom Season Is Over! — Bring on the Late Spring/Summer

A superb Saturday, and a relaxed, rainy Sunday run

Saturday was a world of sunshine, flowing waters, and sakuragi in full bloom. The Metoba river near Yohashira-jinja was a kind of little paradise, and I fell asleep on the bank after a few hoppy beers. Enjoyed people watching, hanging out with my son, and feeding the pigeons at the shrine.

The weather was fantastic, and the little bustling city on the river, with its grassy banks, looked like a fairy tale town — just like it did last year.

The はるかな Hoppy Pilsner from Matsumoto Brewing was mad refreshing. I also had an Ao Oni IPA from Karuizawa and another one, the name of which I forget. All Nagano offerings!

Spent all day out there, and then went out to dinner and enjoyed the Yozakura (illuminated cherry blossoms at night) with my family. I was so happy to have gotten to really soak up the lovely scenery on a sunny day, and one where I didn’t have to work.

I let the booze wear off, had a nice time talking with my wife, and then went to bed. Today the sky was overcast and rainy, making the blossoms beautiful in a whole different way. I needed it. The gray skies. Was able to take a mentally relaxed but briskly-paced run up the hillside, and recorded this video. I hope you’ll enjoy it. You can also check out a vid of the run itself, set to some fine music, on Cringe-sta-gram, here.

Song in video: “jinsei” by lofium