Abbotsford Visit

This is the summer I fly to North America.  I have been blessed to be able to come every other year or so and reconnect with friends, family and supporters.  The longer I live in Japan, the more I am able to see the many changes each time I return, new roads, new buildings, new people to meet.  It is usually a good visit.

The first stop on my trip this time is Abbotsford, British Columbia.  I was able to reconnect family and friends.  What was great was there were some people I saw that I haven't seen for a very long time!  It was a fun 11 days.

To get to Narita airport, I usually end up taking 3 trains.  This is the Skyliner from Nippori to the airport.

I am so fortunate that I am able to purchase a direct flight to Vancouver, BC.  It is much nicer to know that when you get off the plane, you are at your destination.

I took a walk in the Mt. Lehman area.  I loved the open fields.

While I was in Abbotsford, I had the opportunity to go with Dave and Margaret VanderWal to their Ranch in Merritt, BC.  What a beautiful location and a great respite.  They took me quadding around their property, but unfortunately, I didn't take my camera.  :( 

This is the quad I used

Memories... My dad sold De Laval products.

There was a creek/river that ran through their property.  Quite serene. 

It was great to see this place, as I have heard about it from a few people, I was looking forward to visiting.  It did not disappoint.  Now onto the next part of my North American visit. 

Ride to Oi Futo Athletic Field in Shinagawa City

Today was the day of the MS track and field finals at the Oi Futo Athletic Field in Shinagawa City.  It started out being a beautiful day.  The sun was shining with only a few clouds.  Much of the ride was along streets both large and small.  I did not take many pictures going there, but I did get some pictures on the way back.

Meguro River

Crossing the Hizume-gawa River

 Christian Academy in Japan did fine.  These awards were given at lunchtime while the officials were having a break. 

 The field is near Haneda International Airport.  There were planes flying out of Haneda on a regular basis. 

Super Ambulance was written on the side.

What an interesting looking building.

Wake boarding behind the boat.

Solar panels on the side of the building!

Look Left...

Look Right

Azaleas are starting to flower.

This house caught my attention on the way down and again on the way back.  Interesting architecture for Japan.

Shortly after this picture, a thunderstorm moved in.  It started to rain pretty heavily.  I took cover at a couple of places when the rain was getting pretty bad.  By the time I came to Hoya, the streets were dry and the rains had not come yet.  I did make it home before the storm arrived at my house.
I have been looking forward to this bicycle ride for about a month now.

This was the route back home, 2 hours and 53 minutes, which included the stopping for picture taking, city bicycling and waiting for the rain to pass.  The ride down was 33.3 km in 2 hours and 19 minutes. 

I was soaked when I got home but happy.

I am always grateful that I can bicycle safely here, even going through downtown Tokyo.  There are many beautiful sites to see and when seeing them on bicycle, I find I can appreciate them and even stop to admire them as I go.
This weekend is a long weekend for Golden week.  I am grateful for some time away from school to be able to rest.  I pray you too will have a good weekend.