THE DAY WE WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN-TO SEE WHAT WE COULD SEE

 Here we are at the end of the neighborhood,

 at the trailhead of the mountain.

 We begin our ascent.

 Onward...

 and upward we go.

 And up...

 We pass a sign that I guess tells us if we see a forest fire to get our pail and run like a rabbit to pour water on it.

 Upward still with some fellow climbers.

 Is this why they have the healthiest older population in the world?

 A phantom summit.

 But near the top is a park.

 The gardener is planting fall flowers.

 Reminds me of my job at home.

 Heading for a refill flat of pansies. These are typical work clothes. I want some for myself.

 From the arch you can see the area where Rachel lives. Her house is in the trees behind that light colored two story house in the lower left corner.

 This wider shot shows her hill with the bay and the bridge across the strait. It's the longest suspension bridge in the world.  There is a line of boats and ships all day heading out to we are not sure where.

But there is still an upward climb before we cross the crest.

 We almost lost Dad at this point to the chair lift that takes people up and down the mountain. It was very tempting.

 We still have to get to the observatory over there at the top of the ridge.

 These autumn flowers are captivatingly soft,

 But let's reach our goal.

 We made it! A little refreshment in the rotating observatory.

 Out the windows we can see what's on the other side of the mountain.

 A school group was up there.

 Let's begin our descent.

 Is this the Flintstone's dining room set?

 On the mountain trail everyone is friendly, they smile and says "Ohayoo gozaimas." On the streets people don't make eye contact.

 When Rachel and I first climbed the mountain we came up this side.

 It's stone stairs all the way.

 It was brutal for me!

 I like going down the stairs much better!

 We're almost there! I see the park.

 Civilization! 

 Some refreshment.

Now off to the train and some sightseeing. Ja mata