Author: rob

Osaka 2024

We just got back from visiting family in Japan. This trip was a bit different. Instead of getting a JR Pass and dragging all our luggage from city to city, hotel to hotel, we rented a centrally located AirBnB. We did a series of short day trips. We did spend a few days overnight at remote towns and were able to just bring a backpack.

We spent a lot of time with family. We also got to see a lot of new historical shrines, temples, and castles. You could spend a month in just Kyoto and not see it all. There is so much history available to see and it is all very well preserved.

The food as usual was very good everywhere we went. We were lucky to have a bakery nearby so we could start each day with toast and coffee. Tomoko’s mother cooked dinner most nights, which was a special treat.

Mt. Fuji from above
Miyajima at night in high tide
Miyajima in high tide

Here is a link to the Shutterfly album.

Here is a link to the video of all pictures at bitchute.

Elliott

Elliott has his own page here.  He seems to be getting along well with his big sister Sparkie.   He is about 3 months old here and will be getting bigger over the next year.

Newest resident in Lake Havasu

Desert Bloom 2024

Above average flower bloom in the desert this year as we had some good soaking rains last winter.  In fact, it is the second year we have seen green grass on the hills after a rain.  3 years ago it was very dry and there were few plants on these trails.

 

H2O level is higher than last year. Lots of shrubs underwater.
Old Railroad tunnels
Yellow
Red
Purple
Lavendar
Lots of cactus in bloom
Prolific cactus in neighbor yard

Kiyoshi’s Katsu

We finally made it to Kiyoshi’s Katsu House in Anthem.  It is very similar to Ton Ton which we have been a few times before.  The pork is super thick and tender so if you are craving Katsu, this is the place to go.  This location has a great atmosphere and worth the drive.

Katsu Takoyaki: Panko crusted takoyaki balls. I like the crunch
Katsu Donburi: Pork, and egg over rice
Had to try the Katsu hamburger. Cheese stuffed burger coated in panko and deep fried. I have seen something similar up in Duluth MN (Pickwick Bar).
Served on a tier like English Tea time in Vancouver. Fancy.
Here is the classic Pork Katsu. Perfectly cooked.

 

Ram Cam

I remember in the 90’s the very first web cam was in a UK computer lab over their coffee pot so the users knew if the coffee was ready.

Boulder city just added a web cam over Hemenway Park to watch the Sheep that tend to hang out there frequently.  The sheep are usually behind the tennis courts at the other end so I am not sure how often they will be close to this camera.

 

Wildlife

Hawk in front yard
Lulu helping me work
Jazzy and Dixie waiting for the daily pupperoni
Lulu the spellchecker hard at work
Sparkie and her Christmas toys
Sparkie
Sparkie and Santa
Lulu sleeping
Lulu sleeping on the job

Mr Tofu

Mr Tofu is a very different Korean restaurant.  They are known for their Hot Pot  (soup) but have a lot of other interesting menu selections. They bring 16 banchan dished to your table which is the most I have ever seen.  I had to try the bibimbap as that is my go to dish.  Next time I would stick with the pork or try one of the hot pots.  Well worth a visit if you want to break away from the Korean BBQ scene.

BTW, the original Hwaro that burned down last year just reopened on Spring Mountain Rd.

Banchan!!! A ton of small side dishes to mix in with your main course.
Hot Pot with tofu and dumpling
Seafood bibimbap