We booked what we thought would be a mild paddle down a lazy river. Instead we found a wild river flowing fast through a very deep gorge. The sides of the gorge were painted in brushstrokes of dark greens, pinks, whites and bright greens. Our crew of three men alternated between using the pole on the bow port side, the rudder in the stern and the paddle bow starboard. The paddler kept paddling the entire time unless we were in the middle of the rapids. The pole was used both to push the front of the boat away from rocks and also to propel the boat forward. In the stern was a large rudder that was used to steer the boat. The sun was bright and warm as we launched and both men in the front were busy getting us started in some still water. Soon the river picked up and we were hooting and hollering as we splashed through the rapids. There were numerous birds and turtles all along the river. The paddler seemed to be the leader and he kept up the banter. Of course it was Japanese banter but we still got the joke most times. Half of his jokes were pointing to the many JR Railroad trestles over the river and exclaiming "JR". We got to see the scenic train heading up river. We had planned on doing the train and then the boat ride on Monday, but the weather report called for a full day of rain so we switched the date of the river ride but the train was already fully booked. As we were nearing the end of the trip a woman was playing the flute off in the trees. We also saw a floating bar and grill; food and drinks all from a boat that attaches itself to our boat. As we reached the take out there were dozens of smaller boats with two or three people paddling about. We had to navigate through a massive crowd to the train station where we jumped into a train and headed home.
A beer ad on the train. The guy on the right got some beer in his eye. The lady to his left got some up her nose. The one next chipped his teeth on the mug and the last guy got a brain freeze
This is "Mickey" Leslie gave up her seat for him. Then I gave up my seat for her, then the other person in the two seats left so I got to sit next to Mickey
He lives up where we are getting on the river. He has been teaching high school chesistry and biology for 50 years!
The mascots for the Kyoto Soccer team
Lots of folks out for the match
A soccer playing monk
The mascot in the plush
Giant Salamander plush toy
The promotional photo for the trip
Boats returning for the next trip
The man on the right rows almost continuously
The man on the left pushes off with the pole
The guy in the back steers (not shown in picture)
Train tracks are everywhere
Waterfall
He has an odd grip on the paddle
A trickle of water
Recent hillside collapse, caused by excessive rain during a typhoon
Cherry trees down low and up high
The river flows through this narrow passage
The trees just pop out of the greenery
Passengers behind us
One of many rail crossings...JR!
To the left is a cherry tree already has orangish leaves
Working together
This rock is the frog rock
JR train!
The white of the cherry tree is all the more striking due to the dark green of the pines
Lots of white water
Look Ma, no paddles!
Moody dude, no so happy after his mishap
This tree is in the middle of blooming and leafing
The straight trunks of the pines
Popping
Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop go the white trees
More blooms popping
The hills are dotted with blooming trees
Getting in position
A big piggy rock
Pink and white
The tracks of the scenic train
With trees along the tracks
Approaching a rock face
Push! It is not an easy job
Turtle head rock?
Time for a break from rowing
All lined up for the chute
Brace yourselves
Splash!
Waves coning into the boat
Weee!
Crossing under the Scenic Train tracks
An observation tower for the scenic train
A water level gauge
River water in the bottom of the boat
Fire water in my hand
Fire water in my belly!
The rowing man has to head back for a snoot of his own
More trees as we approach the end
Hikers up on the hill
New rowing man heads to the front
Big rocks
All shades of color
The root system was exposed
A creek coming in from the side
A blast of bright green
JR!
So much fun
More white water
Big rocks passing by
Thick on the waters edge but continuing uphill
Hello, Sakura!
A nice patch of blossoms
Hobbits?
Pulling up to the river side bar and grill
Whole squids, I ordered one but Leslie made me realize that "street food squid" is not the best meal eaten before a travel day so I did not complete the transaction
Beer, sake, soft drinks, and hot food off the grill
I thing there were potatoes in this juice
Mystery balls on a stick
The two guys in font both slammed some sort of drink
A traditional ferry boat
Arriving at the end of the trip
A cute dog!
Hit the gas, there is a giant duck behind us!
Back lit blossoms
Right after us another boat came in
The RC boats
This hill takes the cake
We are on dry land
The dam at the end of our section of the river
A very busy bridge!
So many people
