A Day in Kyoto

Since work took up most of the previous day, I decided not to go to Kōyasan. Instead, I woke up early and made my way to Fushimi Inari-taisha.

If you're unfamiliar with the shrine, it is filled with torii


Also, kitsune (foxes), regarded as messengers, are found in Inari shrines.


Folks could draw and write wishes on these kitsune ema. Some of them were pretty pro.


Mine was rudimentary.


Some school also had a field trip that morning. Also, I think that girl is giving me the finger...

^those kids look pretty gangsta...





fat cat.



I found some lunch afterwards, and took the train one stop to Tōfuku-ji, which is one of the Kyoto Gozan or "five great Zen temples of Kyoto." There were a number of gardens with spectacular colors...






Pro photo tip of the day: Utilize mad lean.




Vitamin D boost!



After this temple, I took the train towards Gion to find dinner. I really like the streetlights in Kyoto.


Getting the perfect shot for Instagram.

Business in Kyoto

My last business trip of the year was a 15-day trip to Tokyo for three meetings. This also meant that I had to spend the Thanksgiving holiday in Japan.

*boooooooooooooooo*

I decided to take advantage of this time, bought a Japan Rail Pass, and ventured off to the West... My original plan was to explore Kyoto on Thursday, hike up Kōyasan on Friday, and then head to Miyajima on Saturday, but work kind of threw a wrench into those plans.

My first meeting ended with some unfinished business, so I spent Thanksgiving working from the hotel in Kyoto. I did take a break to venture off to Kiyomizu-dera at sunset.

Kyoto Station


From the station, I took a bus towards Kiyomizu-dera and I walked up the hill towards the temple.


Even though it was a weekday, the temple was packed since the Autumn colors were peaking.


Lots of folks were dressed up. I had my fanny pack and camera ready.


The photo does the scene no justice. The trees were glowing and basking in the golden evening light. It was quite the sight.


Lingering light...


On my way back to the hotel, I found a fire station art contest! Kawaiiiii!


I worked until night, and found dinner at Kyoto Station.

Los Angeles

Work brought me there this week, and my co-worker summed it up pretty nicely.

It's an endless suburb, with industrial parks mixed in.


What an awful place. We stayed in Huntington Beach... which I guess is alright. There was a Dairy Queen and a decent Italian place within walking distance of the hotel.

The only time we saw the beach was at 6am each morning.


and at 8pm-ish; when we got back to the hotel.


Other than that, our time was spent sitting in conference rooms and in the rental car (in order to get to said conference room). The highlight of LA was probably seeing this row of A380's at the Tom Bradley International Terminal.


The best part of the trip? Heading home...


My next trip will be on this guy's big brother!

Fall is here!

The sunny weekend continued! So I ventured out to the North Cascades to hike the Heather Pass and Maple Pass Loop.

The larches are beginning to turn, which brought out the crowds... Luckily, I woke up late and didn't get to the trailhead until 1pm, so while the parking lot was full, the trails were mostly empty.

This trail had everything, multiple passes, fall foliage, wild children, well behaved dogs, pika, chipmunks, multiple lakes, rocks, and it was a loop! no out and back on this day!


Those colors...


Heather Pass


Lake Ann


So the trail starts in Okanogan National Forest, but at Maple Pass, you can cross into the North Cascades National Park, so I did... and you get some reallllly nice views!


Larches in the Valley!


Looking back at Maple Pass


Heading down!


One last view before you hit the treeline!