FUJI

When we arrved at Camp Zama outside of Tokyo, we barely made it in time to go to the travel agency to get details on how to get to Fuji. They told us that they thought it was still closed due to recent snows, but directed us to the Outdoor Recreation office. They were very helpful, and explained the train/bus route to the 5th Station on the Kawaguchi-ko route. They also told us the top would be closed but I figured we would at least go to the 5th station and hike around so we can at least be able to say "we hiked Mt Fuji." Since we were not going to be able to summit anyway, we slept in at Zama and started out about 0700, after having a great continental breakfast provided at the lodging. Since no cabs were allowed on base, we had to walk to the train station. After going the wrong way on one of the trains, we finally reached the bus station 10 minutes before the next bus left for the 5th Station. We arrived at about 1145, and the last bus left to go back at 1540 (3:40pm). So we had about 4 hours to tour around. We finally stared up the trail at about 1155. When we got to the first marker in about 10 minutes (it was supposed to take over 20), we realized our pace was pretty fast and had not come to a "TRAIL CLOSED" sign yet. Then we passed someone running down (yes, running!) who told us the summit was open. Damn! We could have done it after all! SO...... since our pace was fast (the "usual"time in the books was 5-7 hours up and 3-4 down, but we were making it in a third of that time!), Benjamin and I decided to leave Steph and Morgan behind and try to make it as far as possible. We took no pack, no water, and no MONEY (to be explained in a bit) and started jogging up.......

That lasted about 200 yards and we were quickly winded (we were already over a mile up in elevation). We kept a quick pace, though, with no stops. We soon shed our shirts, which were drenched in sweat already. As we kept passing people and reaching the stations much quicker than expected, we realized we might actually be able to make it! We finally broke down and put our shifts back on when we reached the snow level. We realized that we forgot water AND money (water is NOT free on the route) and Ben was feeling dehydrated. So, the ever resourceful Eagle Scout that he is, he found a sink to drink out of (hopefully it WAS drinking water, and not just for "washing.").

Time was running out if we were going to make it (I only had 2 1/2 hours left before the bus left!) so we picked up the pace. Ben actually fell behind and told me he was not going to keep pace with me. I left him at station 8 and kept going. At 1345, I thought I could see the top and passed some hikers with packs coming down. I asked if what I could see a couple of hundred yards ahead was the top and they assured me it was the rim! They also had to make the bus and assured me they would hold it for me. By this time, at almost 12,000 feet of elevation, I was really struggling to breath and keep putting one foot in front of the other, as it was like going up a steep staircase of gravel and rock. I was practically "bear crawling" by the time I reached the rim! I stayed for about 90 seconds to take a couple of pictures, then realized I had only an hour and 40 minutes to reach the bottom!

I started at a quick pace down, and realized my knees would really be hurting but had no choice. I caught up to Ben at the 8.5 Station, and we continued our fast pace. I realized we were cutting it close, so we were jogging on the flatter switchbacks by the end. We made it! I could tell I was going to be VERY sore tomorrow, though! One more item off my bucket list.......

We made it to the bus, but did not make it back to Camp Zama until 8pm! We had a great Mexican Fiesta of taquitos and chicken and bean burritos in our rooms. Delicious!

Off to Tokyo in the morning......

LCDR Butler

MAINLAND JAPAN!

We finally made it over to the mainland via Space-A (i.e. "free") travel! We started off by flying from Okinawa to Iwakuni, Japan (to the Marine base). Right away, the people were helpful and friendly. A Marine and his family saw us trying to figure out how to get a shuttle and offered to take us to the lodging facility. It was great, a large room with a kitchen and a commissary close by so we did not have to eat out every meal. We decided to stay for 2 nights and base our trip to Myajima island as well as Hiroshima from there. We relaxed and saw a movie our first night.

We got up the next morning and caught the train to the Myajima ferry. Myajima was beautiful and is supposed to be one of the most scenic areas of Japan. Steph and I posed in front of the famous Tori Gate in the shallow water off the coast of the island. We toured some shrines and temples and petted wild deer that roamed around the island. We sampled the local cuisine, then had shaved ice to top it all off.

Next up was touring Hiroshima. We started at the A-bomb Dome (still standing after the bomb)and toured the peace park and surrounding memorials. Very sobering experience but moving. We also allowed some Japanese locals practice their English skills on us explaining the memorials and museum.

The next day we were up early to get on the bullet train to Kyoto, our next stop. Again, we were amazed by a retired Marine who works at Iwakuni offered to drive us the 30 minutes to the train station so we did not have to take a cab. We found a traditional Japanese style hotel, complete with futons, tatami mats, a low table, and group baths (Ben and I tried this, while Morgan and Steph stuck with the bathroom in our room.......) We did one walking tour to a few shrines the first day, including the Silver Palace and the Philosopher's Path (a mile long winding path along a small canal connecting a few shrines and temples). That night we tried to go to a Tofu restaurant but it was closed, so we had some more local cuisine instead at a small cafe. The next morning we did another walking tour of the Golden Palace and an incredible zen garden at Daitokuji Temple. We then went to the train station, got on the bullet train, and headed to Camp Zama, our next lodging at the US Army Base Zama outside of Tokyo for our hike to Fuji!

LCDR Butler

Family Time!

Steph, Ben, and Morgan flew in on time, and we have had a great time since. We started by going to the Churaumi Aquarium, the second largest aquarium in the world (the first is in Atlanta, GA). We saw sharks, and rays, and dolphins, and manatees. It was a great time! That night, I took them to my favorite restaurant- FAB CURRY! Morgan was not as impressed as I am with it.

For Father's Day, we went to "our" Officer's Club for brunch- the Butler O Club! It was wonderful.

Next, we spent 3 days relaxing at an US Air Force owned beach resort in northern Okinawa called Okuma. We kicked back, played games, watched movies, hung out on the beach, went diving, hiked to a waterfall, went parasailing, and enjoyed spending our 20th Anniversary together! On the way back, we went to a pineapple farm and sampled all kinds of pineapple drinks and food.

After a couple of days back on base, including my last shift of work, we finally arrived in Iwakuni, Japan, successfully managing Space-A travel. We are planning a full week, including a trip to Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kamakura Beach, and Tokyo. Hopefully, weather permitting, we will hike Mount Fuji!

Until I blog again.......

LCDR Butler

STEPH, BEN, & MORGAN ARE COMING!

Finally, Steph, Ben, and Morgan arrive in 2 hours! I can't wait to see them! I will post some good pics after they have been here a while. We have lots of plans (including "planned relaxing" at Okuma Beach Resort for 3 days over the weekend, Father's Day, and our 20th Anniversary!

Steph told me I only show that I am having fun here so I wanted to show a picture of me being "miserable" running on a day with a "Black Flag." Those are days that you are not supposed to exercise at all, for any length of time, under any circumstances! I actually find it funny as I regularly run in Phoenix at 4pm when it is over 110 outside (although I will admit the humidity is a little brutal here!). Just so she doesn't think I only have fun here, I also just finished working a string of 8 night shifts in 2 weeks, with meetings and lectures thrown in, too! I was miserable, Steph :(

There, hopefully that makes her feel better.

I've got to get going to the airport in my "mini-car!"

Until I blog again.......

LCDR Butler

MEMORIAL DAY

I wanted to wish all of you a great Memorial Day! I wish two things for you all on this day. Number one, please enjoy your time with family and friends today! They are the most important things in your life, and cherish every moment spent together. Two, please remember those who are serving away from their family and especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so we can all enjoy a day like today and the country we call home.

I started off this weekend by buying a car here in Okinawa! I have waited for almost 5 months to get one, and now I finally have freedom to move around, and to be able to escort my family around the island. I bought it from one of our ER nurses who left to move back to Texas. My car is TINY! It is a Suzuki Kei car. The Kei cars in Japan have to meet certain criteria for both dimensions as well as engine size. The car makes my Honda Civic look like a limousine! It's engine is smaller than our Yamaha Rhino quad. However, it only cost me $1,000 and the insurance is only $25/month! I am sure I will sell it for at least that much in 3-4 months before I leave. It is nice to finally have one and I feel confident driving on the left hand side now (although it will be weird to go back to Arizona and drive on the the right I think!)

I worked Friday and Saturday, then enjoyed a relaxing Sunday, followed by a great snorkeling trip to the nearby Kerama Islands with my fellow ER doc Jason, his wife, their friends, and our PA and her husband. It rained most of the day, but we still had a great time and saw lots of fish, a sea turtle, some sea snakes, and a shark!

The day was capped off with a great dinner at one of our Japanese Intern's place. She prepared a Japanese summer tradition of catching noodles as they slide down a water slide of bamboo (we did not have the traditional real bamboo one, but had the kids version that looked more like the old "Mousetrap" game! It was a lot of fun and the meal was awesome!

I also bought the new "trendy" Fivefinger Vibram shoes to run in. They are more like glove/slippers, but supposedly let you run like you are running barefoot. This gives your calves a great workout and allow you to run in a more natural position. But they look goofy as hell.........:)

I miss you all, and will see you soon!

LCDR Butler

CINCO DE MAYO IN OKINAWA!

Cinco de Mayo in Okinawa. They are obviously not aware of our culture back home in Arizona! Instead of celebrating with Mexican food and Margaritas, they held the Dragon Boat races on Cinco de Mayo! It was fun, though, and a beautiful sunny day. They had a big festival including dozens of foof booths and a few stages with various performances throughout the day. Food was great and the Navy women won their race against the Army and Marines! The men did not fare as well. I also found it bizarre that they had outdoor urinals for the men, and enclosed porta-potti's for the women. I figured the Japanese would be too modest to just "turn around and pee" in public but they did. When in Rome........ (so I did, too! :)

Since it was Cinco de Mayo, we held a food festival at work in the ER that night, and I made 3 salsas and some queso con carne! Someone else brought in rice and chile verde pork and we made burritos and ate chips all night! We even had some "virgin" Margaritas!

I am now officially halfway done. I can't believe it is going so quickly. I am looking forward to seeing Steph, Ben, and Morgan next month when they come out and visit. Hopefully the Space-A travel will go smoothly.........

LCDR Butler

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

To my Mom: thank you for giving me life.

To my Mother-in-Law: thank you for giving me the the love of my life, Steph.

To Steph: thank you for our two wonderful children, Ben and Morgan.

To my sisters-in-law: thank you for my six awesome nephews (I would complain about not having any nieces, but that is your husbands' faults, not yours .............. :)

To all the Mothers in the world: thank you for being a mother, a role model, a shoulder to cry on, someone to wipe away tears, someone to cook and care for all the rest of us, someone to sing us to sleep, and wake us in the morning, someone to put the bandaid on our scraped knees, someone to praise us for our successes, and to pick us up after our failures. Know just how important you are, and how much you mean to us!

For all the Mothers whose sons and daughters are in harm's way, God Bless you and our prayers are with you on this Mother's Day!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY FROM OKINAWA!

LCDR Butler