Beautiful Laguna Beach

I had a lovely afternoon in beauitiful Laguna Beach, California

Wonderful beach by the boardwalk.

A little island of birds.

A tide pool.

Found these little crabs there.

Palm trees.

Seagulls.

Beautiful homes up on a cliff.

A cool sign.

Another view of the beach.

 Someone was making cool bubbles. 

We had a very nice and relaxed time there.  It was just fantastic!

Las Vegas Run

Over the weekend, I was in  Summerlin, Nevada about 10 miles west of downtown Las Vegas.  I did not have much time, but I could put in a run Monday morning.  Weather was hot and dry.

An intersection close from our hotel.  Palm trees are nice.

A big empty lot - yet to be developed - it's a desert!

A new residential area.

A nice green trail in between residential areas.

This is a view from the end of the trail.

A warning notice - I could go in it for there was no sign of rain.

This is the dual-use trail - not as green as the one earlier.

Village Green Park - sprinklers must be used to keep it nice.

Another bigger lot that will be developed in the near future.

The sign tells what will be.

 A new road is getting finished.

A huge new shopping center is being built by Interstate 215.

Aerial Photos from Fukuoka to Haneda

I am posting my aerial photos from Fukuoka to Haneda on Wednesday.  Because the weather was good, could take interesting photos.

Islands belong to the City of Kure, Hiroshima.

Shimanami Kaido Expressway runs through these islands - mainly in the City of Onomichi on Honshu side.

Ikuchi Bridge spans betweenIkuchi Shima Island (left) and Innoshima Island.

Seto Ohashi Bridge starts at Kojima on Honshu side.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Kobe Port Island and Kobe Airport.

Cities and ports of Osaka and Sakai.

Chubu Airport.

The mouth of Oi River pours into the Pacific Ocean. 

 Majestic Mt. Fuji.

Fukuoka Castle Ruins

I was back in Fukuoka again, and this morning, I was a bit more organized to visit the ruins of Fukuoka Castle.  It is located about 5 km north west of Hakata Station.  It was cooler and dryer than last week, so it was much easier to run.

The fortress built by Kuroda Kanbeh, Sengoku Period's famous war strategist that was a key figure in the unification of of Japan.

This is a CG re-creation of the castle.

The entry way to Honmaru, the main tower - it is a narrow path and bent - to defend agains the enemies.

The view from the top of the mound where the main tower used to be.

Tamon Turret - on the east side of the castle.

The main entrance way into the fortress.

Lotus flowers were pretty in the remaining part of the former moat.

A part of the former site is now a track field.

The local NHK Station building shows posters of the current Taiga Drama that features Kuroda Kanbeh as the hero.

Nanto City Morning Run

I had a nice long run in Nanto on Saturday morning.  It was still early - I started before 6 am, but already, it was getting hot.

Beautiful green fields and Johana Line.

Fukumitsu Station.

Oyabe River by Fukumitsu.

The main road was decorated with festival ornaments.

Beautiful flowers by the roadsides.

This area produces delicious rice.

Hakata Run

I had a nice run in Hakata - Friday morning.  Although it was early morning, the weather was muggy and hot already.  Very hot summer weather envelopes Japan now.

Recently-built gate to promote the temple-shrine district.

The alley of the district.

Taihaku Dori Street has palm trees.

Nakagawa River.

Mechanical Water Gate.

Stone figures of Anpanman and Baikinman. 

A special bridge as a formal entrance to Sumiyoshi Shrine.

Tanabata Ornaments in a shopping arcade.

  Painting under the train track by Hakata Station.
Mozart and Beethoven are eating Mizutaki - a local Nabemono.