Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

A New Home in Japan

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Yamato house

Originally printed in the Clear Lake Courier — October 2, 1996

The first day lasted 25 hours. We drove to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, early Tuesday morning. When I arrived in Japan and checked into my BOQ room at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Wednesday morning’s Today show was on television.

The Boeing 747 left Seattle Tuesday afternoon at 5:00 South Dakota time and landed at Narita International Airport outside Tokyo Wednesday afternoon at 4:40 Japan time–a ten hour flight with a 14 hour time change. (more…)

Answering President Clinton’s Mail

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Originally published in the Clear Lake Courier — February 22, 1995

“I do not think you read your mail personally.  We the people would like to think so though.” That comment represents the hope of many who write to the President of the United States.

Even if President Clinton devoted all his waking hours to answering mail, he could not possibly read the 2000 letters that arrive each day.  Peak mail volume earlier in his administration was 10,000 letters. (more…)

Kobe Earthquake–Interview with a Survivor

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Originally published as”Kobe Earthquake” in the Clear Lake Courier — July 15, 1998

The earthquake that struck Kobe (ko-bay), Japan, in 1995 registered 7.2 on the Richter scale and lasted twenty seconds. Fires and collapsed buildings and bridges throughout the city killed 5000 people and injured 21,000. More than 275,000 of the city’s 1.5 million inhabitants were left homeless.

I interviewed a survivor of that earthquake. Ruth Harimoto grew up in Tokyo, the daughter of Lutheran missionaries from Wisconsin. In 1995 she was living in Kobe with her husband, Paul, and their two young sons. (more…)

Moonlight Trail Run

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Originally published in the January/February 1995 issue of “DC Road Runners Review & Schedule,” Washington DC

The invitation in the mail was for a 14-mile moonlight trail run. I had joined the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club because I wanted ultrarunning contacts in my new home, but so far I had not met any of the members. This would be a chance to do so.

Fourteen miles, no problem. I ran that distance almost every Sunday morning when I lived in Jacksonville, Florida. What really convinced me to spend my Friday evening on the trail was the thought of running in the light of a full February moon.

I missed the word “foolhardy” in the letter.

(more…)

Forgotten Warriors–Forgotten No More

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Korean War Memorial

Originally published in the Clear Lake Courier — September 13, 1995

Korean War veterans finally had their day in the sun. Four days actually, and the sun definitely did shine. The Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington DC on July 27, the 42nd anniversary of the end of the Korean War. The four-day celebration closed with a military parade down Constitution Avenue near the White House.

The temperature reached 93 degrees during the dedication ceremony Thursday afternoon. Five hundred people were treated for heat exhaustion. 600,000 bottles of water were distributed. Mercifully, the ceremony started early and lasted less than half an hour. President Clinton and South Korean President Kim Young Sam spoke. President Kim’s remarks were given in English after he finished.

The $18 million Korean War Veterans Memorial occupies 2.2 acres of the Washington Mall. It sits directly southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and across the Reflecting Pool from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (more…)

Rattlesnake Trail 50K

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

There were no rattlesnakes at the Rattlesnake Trail 50K in Charleston, West Virginia. At least, we didn’t see any. My running buddy and I wanted to do an ultra together before I moved from Northern Virginia to Japan. I looked in UltraRunning Magazine and found a 50-kilometer race on July 13, less than seven hours away.

The run took place in Kanawha State Forest, on one of those rare and wonderful days when the weather, my body and my mind all cooperated. I felt great and in the mood to run. The day was mostly overcast, with comfortable temperatures and an occasional sprinkling of rain. The course was advertised as “65% trails, 35% dirt roads and 5% asphalt.” (I’m not sure how to account for the extra 5%.) (more…)