Desperate Measures

Sometimes, when you really want something, you are willing to take desperate measures. In this case, I really wanted to see James Taylor and Carole King in concert. Their Troubadour Reunion tour came to Phoenix on the same day we left for Japan, so we missed it. Phil said, "If our kids can follow their favorite band across the country, why can't we?" So he searched and found a concert on a weekend night in Las Vegas.

This is where the "desperate" comes in. I absolutely hate Las Vegas. So to go there would take desperate measures.

Chuck and Jan joined us and we drove the 5 hour trip to Las Vegas, each taking guesses at how long it would take to get through the Hoover Dam traffic (Jan won). We stayed at the Element (Starwood's "green" extended stay brand), located on the edge of LV.

The concert was at the MGM Grand Arena. The only way to get to the venue is to go through the casino. Very manipulative.

Chuck took some pictures with his phone:



They performed their well-loved favorites with the same voice and energy from 40 years ago. A simply fantastic concert. I'm glad we made the trip.

Celebrating in Michigan

We had much to celebrate. Mom Sytsma turned 90 in February and Dad Sytsma turned 90 on June 21 and it was their 69th anniversary. So all of their children and many of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered together by Twin Lakes in Michigan to celebrate.

Most of us stayed in motels in Mancelona, but we spent most of our time at Ken and Jackie's cabin to eat, visit, play games, swim and take walks.

Mom with Ginger and Phil

Dad with Jannika, Jillian, Sarah, and Angel.

Phil and Jillian

Grandpa Ken and Silas

Grandma Joy and Maya

Carolyn and Mom leaning on Phil.

Mom and Dad

The Sytsma Clan

We are so very thankful for Mom and Dad!

Trip to Japan

It had been six years since we were last in Japan. We were eager to experience our childhood home once again.

We left Phoenix early on May 13, arriving at Narita airport on the 14th around 3:00. After picking up our Japan Rail passes and a rental phone and exchanging some money, we took the Narita Express into Tokyo station. We met my brother, Bill, at the station and he took us to his home.

We spent Saturday in Tokyo, shopping in Kichijoji, watching my niece, Sonia, get ready for prom and sampling Bill's great cooking.

Tokyo pictures:


On Sunday, Bill drove us to Kofu, with his St. Bernard,Beck, in the back of the Jeep. My first memories of Japan were in Kofu and picturesque Shosenkyo gorge. I really wanted to see Shosenkyo, Kofu and my maid (nanny) on this trip. After hiking the gorge, we went to the Kofu church where my parents first started their missionary work. I had emailed one of the elders, Mr. Iwama, who assisted in helping us see Yasuyo-san, our maid. At the church we met with the pastor and several church members, who were very gracious, serving us refreshments and having us sign the guest book. We, then, went to the assisted-living facility where Yasuyo-san moved about a year ago. She is now 85 years old. It was a tearful, happy meeting.

Kofu and Shosenkyo pictures:


After staying the night at a pension, where Beck was allowed to sleep in our room, we took off for Nojiri. It's been 35 years since Phil and I were married in Nojiri. It hasn't changed much.

Bill's cabin, #79, has a great view of the lake. We spent three days in Nojiri, taking in the wonderful views of Myoko, doing a little hiking, and just plain relaxing. One day we attempted to go to the hot springs at Tsubame where Phil & I honeymooned. The road was closed, so we walked. But when we got there, we discovered the hot springs were not open to the public until June 1. It was still gorgeous. Another day, when it was rather rainy, we went to Togakushi. We walked to the shrine up the mountain, and later enjoyed the regionally famous soba noodles. One night we went to the public ofuro (bath) in nearby Myoko-kogen. It had been a long time since I shared a bath with other women. It was refreshing and communal. Afterwards we had a great meal at a restaurant Bill discovered. The owners were so friendly and gave us the rest of the sake bottle, when we told them it was the best we ever had.

Nojiri pictures:


On Thursday, Bill took us to the railway station where we caught the local train to Nagano, then the shinkansen to Fukuoka, via Nagoya and Osaka. We love taking the trains in Japan. So clean and efficient, always on time. And so much to see out the windows.

Train pictures:


After riding the train most of the day, my sister, Sue, picked us up at the Hakata station in Fukuoka. We took the subway for about 15 minutes to her 3rd floor apartment. Sue's husband, Jessy, made some wonderful Nigerian food, okra soup and a stew.

We were also happy to see Bill's kids, Kaj and Jasmine, who live in Fukuoka with their mother.

Fukuoka pictures:


On Friday, we took a day trip to Nagasaki, about an hour away by train. Nagasaki was once a busy trading port and the influence of early missionaries and foreign traders is still visible in the city. We took a street car to Glover Garden, situated on a hill. Thomas Glover came to Japan from Scotland in 1859, and settled in Nagasaki. Glover Garden has several preserved 19th century buildings and gardens of the early foreign merchants. We also saw the Dejima, a tiny island built in 1636 to isolate Europeans and prevent the spread of Christianity. After a great meal in Chinatown, we went to see atomic bomb museum and the hypo center of the bomb. Very moving!

Nagasaki pictures:


On Saturday, we took another day trip - this time to Yanagawa. Yanagawa is known for its canals on which tourists take riverboat rides. Our boatman entertained us with poems and song, as well as pointing out sights along the way. Did you know that Yoko Ono's grandparents live near the canal in Yanagawa?

After the hour long ride, we ate at the local eel restaurant. Yummy! We also toured a traditional home.

Yanagawa pictures:


Sunday was a travel day back to Tokyo. On our last day in Japan, Bill suggested we visit the Buddhist temples in Kamakura. We're sure glad we took up his suggestion. Kamakura was great. Of course, the daibutsu (Great Buddha) was the most impressive. We took lots of pictures of the Hasedera Temple and the Tsurugaoka Shrine. And then it started to rain hard. We rode the trains back to Tokyo during rush hour. Fun!

Kamakura pictures:


What a great trip! We are already planning the next.

House Renovations

First it was the roof. One too many leaks in the dining room, even though it doesn't rain much in Phoenix. We had to get it done.
Then we decided to insulate and drywall the cement block TV/computer room. In the process, we thought we'd replace the old windows with energy efficient ones. We also replaced the carpeting in this room and in all the bedrooms.
We love this room now.
The biggest renovation was the kitchen. We scrapped off the old wall paper and Phil sanded the ceiling and walls. What a mess.
We replaced the old formica countertops with granite, and the old ceramic sink with a black composite sink, and new faucet fixtures.
Before:
After:

We also replaced the large, dated florescent light with recessed ceiling lights, under the counter lighting and a pendant light over the sink.

The ceiling fan had to go!

We like the new ceiling fan so much better. Phil painted the kitchen with "straw" and the accent wall with "caramel latte", or as he calls it, burnt sienna.

Putting up with all the dust and work has been so worthwhile. We are really enjoying the changes.

Atascosa Lookout Hike

We've been interested in the efforts of the Sky Island Alliance to protect the habitats of the sky island area in southwestern Arizona. When they advertised a hike in the region, we jumped at the chance to explore another area of the state and to learn more about their work. After staying overnight in Tucson, we met at their office yesterday morning at 8:00 and carpooled to the Pena Blanca Campground, arriving around 9:30.

Then we drove to the trailhead. The hike was 6 miles round-trip, with a 1500' gain in elevation, to the fire lookout on the top of Atascosa Ridge. We were anticipating clear views of the Baboquivaris, the Sierrita Mts, the Santa Rita Mts and even into northern Mexico.

Unfortunately, the rain started, but we decided to push on. (picture below was taken by Phil)

We made it to the lookout and huddled inside to eat some lunch.

As we opened the door to hike back down, we were greeted with a blast of snow. What a shock! The snow turned to driving, icy rain. We were soaked. (picture below taken by Phil)

Our bedraggled group made it back to Tucson by 3:00. After a quick change of clothes, we drove back to Phoenix, where we encountered more rain. What a day!

Another Christmas in Portland

Since Miriam had to work and Lauren & Aaron decided to stay in Boulder for Christmas, we thought we'd join Miriam in Portland, hopefully without the snow this time. We stayed at the Embassy Suites using Miriam's Hilton employee discount rate.

The first day we took a Hike in the foggy forest of Tryon Creek State Park, close to Miriam's apartment.

The next day, Phil and I walked through the lovely Portland Japanese Gardens.

We enjoyed Christmas eve appetizers in the hotel room.

On Christmas Day we drove to Silver Falls State Park. It was wonderfully eerie, with sun poking through the fog.

The next day, we drove through Oregon Wine country, sampling the wine as a number of wineries.It was great to be able to see Mt. Hood.

It was great to be able to spend Christmas together!