Out with Friends - Playing

After our lunch at the Big House we headed off to find more cherry blossoms (sakura in Japanese) and a cool park I had read about.  The cherry blossoms, we found, were for the most part not quite ready to bloom which did not surprise me since it's been so cold here.  We did, however, find a beautiful spot to come back to in a couple of weeks when the blooms are out. 

Following the signs for some castle ruins, we ascended a steep set of stairs lined with old stone Japanese lanterns and (mostly non-blooming) cherry trees.  At the top of the stairs was a small temple set into the woods and surrounded by more stone lanterns.  The temple had a beautiful view of the city of Nago, the Motobu peninsula and the sea.

I love this picture!  It was not posed, that's just how they were sitting!

The bell you ring to summon the gods at the temple.

After descending the stairs, we found a map of the park and drove to a really cool playground.  Unfortunately, the coolest attraction in this park - a loop-d-loop made of rope and metal bars - was closed off.  I'm really not surprised since it looked extremely dangerous for an adult to attempt never mind a child; but I still wanted to try it!  Still, the kids and adults all had fun on the roller slide, zip line and other stuff.

Stevie's first time down a roller slide.

Tarzan Cannon

Mister Don and London racing

Stevie hanging on for dear life!

Stevie and Don racing.

Me and Emmy racing.

Going down the roller slide.

Can you tell he's having fun?

The beautiful view.

I loved this funky tree.

Playing "Wipeout" on the play equipment.

Had to show you the sign.  Apparently it's ok to cry, but not to wear cleats or high heels.  Cannon thinks it means only one-legged people can go, not two-legged people!

The infamous loop-d-loop that I wanted to try!  Only in Japan would this have been built on a children's playground!