Rehab Pottering in search of Flowers @Okagaki-machi

 

It's kind of strange for me to say, "it's been a while", but life had a way of keeping me away from my bike adventures.

I noticed my Brompton tire pressure had dropped from the usual 100 psi to 55 psi.

It's been quite some time since I last hit the road.

This year, the blooms seem a bit delayed compared to previous ones.

Nevertheless, I couldn't wait to explore the sights. 

I cruised down a long slope, took a turn at the signal, and stumbled upon something peculiar.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw... 

mushrooms!

And they weren't the edible kind!

It seems they marked themselves as inedible, but why were they here in the first place?

Every year, when I venture off the main roads onto these country lanes, I'm greeted by a sea of Red ...

Finally, along the embankment of the irrigation channel, I spotted some buds.

A bit further ahead...

White spider lilies were in full bloom.

"Hello!"

Taking a side path into the shade of the trees, I found a golden-red mosaic.

The weatherman had said they wouldn't bloom until the temperature dropped below 20°C, but it seems like they've got their timing synced with the rhythms of the universe.

I often wonder, even though they can't move from the ground, do plants, especially flowers, emit some powerful magnetic force or energy within the grand flow of cosmic life?

Could that be what draws us humans to them?

Otherwise, there's no way I'd find myself riding a bicycle along these field paths while being plagued by post-fatigue syndrome and lounging around wasting time.

In the old village streets, hibiscus mutabilis were in full bloom.

By mid-morning this keeps white still, and toward the evening starts to blush ever so slightly.

Today, there's no time for leisurely strolls.

For some reason, black swallowtail butterflies come seeking nectar from the golden-red flowers.

.

The Shioiri River embankment has a dedicated bicycle lane called the Okagakimachi Bicycle Path.

However, due to grass-cutting work by the Silver Workforce Center, I had to take a detour.



I really like these kudzu flowers.

Near the confluence of the Shioiri River and Nomagawa River, at the entrance to the village, once again...

I found a different type of mushroom.

Okagaki-machi may be a small countryside town, but it holds a special Star "Okagakimachi" placed on the celestial map, named after the town name. 

Positioned close to the 33rd parallel north, it offers a rare geographical feature: a coastline with a clear view of the horizon on the northern side. 

During this season, the handle of the Big Dipper 「北斗七星」, part of the constellation Ursa Major, seems to touch the horizon directly, creating a phenomenon known as "the Big Dipper drawing water" or "tidal drawing."

During a certain period, adults in their 40s and 50s were obsessed with "Fist of the North Star (Hokuto)「北斗の拳」".

When you say "Hokuto," it's not the mushroom company with packaged mushrooms that comes to mind but rather fans of "「北斗の拳」Fist of the North Star."

It seems like those who discovered such events are willing to make the journey to this seaside town.

I never expected anyone to buy T-shirts... but

"This is what I wanted..." they said,

And they added a few extra yen to purchase a clear file folder with artwork.

Huh! I guess I have my own vibe, huh?

Rin Rin Club Okagaki.

This bicycle parking area is quite nice.

Here too, just as expected...





After taking a break, I headed to my planned destination.

Enjoying a delicious coffee and a hot sandwich while gazing at the sea...

Oh no!
It's Closed!

There was someone striking a pose on a bicycle drawing from the Wave Exclusion Wall Art.



Snake Gourd

Okagaki-machi's specialty, the Ryokan Camping.

Stay, bathe, and have your main meals by the seaside inn,

And during the day, spend your free time in a tent like a pavilion.

I don't particularly want to try it, but...

Second best.

Is there anything better than getting coffee for just 100 yen?



The last three-day holidays must have been quite lively.

Finally, it's time to head back,

But I ended up taking another detour.

"Anraku-in" in the mountains of Nishi-kuroyama.

Reading the temple's history, it turns out there used to be a massive temple complex with seven halls, including a nine-story pagoda, somewhere in "Sanri-matsubara (12km pine forest)."

Due to my lack of imagination, I can't even picture that.

In the distant view, slightly to the left and below the center of the photo, you can vaguely see a light blue circular tower.

That's one of the town's water supply towers.

I have to go back all the way there...

Just thinking about retracing the long, long uphill route I took on the way here, after the initial excitement, makes it feel even more hopeless.

Today's ride started as rehab, but it looks like I might need a different kind of rehab soon.