1st snowboarding trip

This past Sunday, we had a snowboarding trip scheduled through our Outdoor Rec facility here on base and it was cancelled due to shortage of attendees.  We already had our rentals and really wanted to go, so we contacted ITT (information, ticket and tours) and hoped they could help us out and give us other options.

They came through BIG TIME.  We were able to drive up Sunday morning, ski all day, go to an onsen, have buffet dinner, stay the night, have buffet breakfast and then ski all Monday for $150 a person.  Deal of the century. ;)

Since it was my first time snowboarding...ever...I was kind of nervous.  Although I knew I would have an amazing teacher, I didn't know how well it would go.  After all, I'm 34 and I can be very impatient and get frustrated when I don't pick up things quickly (shocking..I know!).  

Riding down the mountain wasn't that bad...it was getting off the lift that was difficult!  I either rode off with ease or totally wiped out for all to see.  Fun times.  :/

The place wasn't too crowded and overall, it was a great mountain for me to learn on.  Conditions were great too...it snowed almost the entire time which made for good powder to land in. :)

{almost there!}

{Appi montain}

{holy snow}

{on the way up}

{from the top}

{avalanche}

{lunch Day 1}

{snowplows while we were boarding}

At the end of the day, we went to an onsen to relax.  An onsen is a public bathhouse with natural spring water tubs.  This particular one had a tub outside as well and it was amazing to sit there with the snow falling!!  

Once we were all clean, warm and relaxed it was time to hit the buffet.  We were starving!

{giant crab legs}

{here's looking at you}

{Brent & Allyson}

{taking a quick break}

{lunch Day 2}

{selfie}

{training for Sochi}

{i'm done}

{until next time}

Last day in Tokyo

We had an afternoon train scheduled out of Tokyo Station so we planned to visit the Imperial Palace in the morning.  It's within walking distance of the train station.   You can not actually go into the Imperial Palace, but the outside gardens are free and open to the public.

{We found this awesome park on our way}

{shrine outside the palace}

{entrance to the East Gardens}

{outside Tokyo Station}

 It was such a great trip!  We can't wait to go back in a few weeks!!

Thanksgiving in Tokyo-Part II

Happy New Year!!

It's New Years Day and I'm finally catching up on these blog posts...sorry I'm a little late!

Tokyo has so much to see and do...and eat. :)  We had a long laundry list of places we wanted to visit, but you can not possibly do it all in 4 days, so we just wandered the different neighborhoods soaking up the entire experience.

One of the first areas of town we explored was Shinjuku.  Most streets are flooded with restaurants, shops and lots of people!

{Jeff loves it here!}

We found this place to stop and eat!  All the menus have pictures which makes it much easier.

{this place looks good}

{you order from a machine}

After ordering from the machine you hand your ticket to the waitress and she brings you your food.  It's so efficient!



Then we were off for more exploring!!

{Called the Cocoon Bldg-we have no idea what goes on here}

I had read that from the observatory of the government building you could see all of Tokyo.  We had to go and see for ourselves.

We spent most of the day in Shinjuku and then went to Ginza at night.  Everything was decorated with Christmas lights and the vibe there was unlike anything I've experienced.
Like NYC on crack.

{dept store window}

{largest UniQlo I've ever seen!}

{Yamaha is fancy}

{famous for their waffle cookies} 

{they were delicious!}

 Thanks for reading!