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Trip to Sado

July 29th, 2002

Walking Tony to the Hotel

Tony and his New Friend

We are on Sado Island. I had to work this morning and Mary had an early afternoon class so we reserved the 3:30 car ferry. To prep for the trip, Mary did the research, got out all the tents and camping gear, shopped, and packed the car. I walked the dog to the pet hotel (which cost 7,000 yen per day... :(
and I... uh... well, I guess that was it, but I was busy.  Mary decided to take her car for two reasons, one - the car ferry charges by class of car and she drives a k-car. Second, Sado roads are narrow and for traveling a small car gets around better.

Boarding the Ship

On the ferry, Mary had reserved the upper deck room for us so we could lie down if we got seasick or something and also so the baby would have a clean place to play.

After dropping Tony off we drove to Niigata and got our Car Ferry tickets. (Mary paid for those, too.) We drove into the belly of the ship and parked.

Parking in the Car Ferry

But the ship had plenty to keep us busy. In addition to the sights, there was a restaraunt, a game corner, and sea gulls that fly down and eat chip right out of your hands.

First thing we did was check out the sea and the view of the port.

Look, a Lighthouse

The Boys on the Top Deck

A Seagull

Feeding the Birds

First View of the Island

Next we walked around the ship and found a vending machine selling Cashews. We tried to feed them to the birds, with no success, so we ate them ourselves. Then we found a shop selling Ebi chips (Shrimp flavored chips) and soon had the birds diving at us so they could eat the chips from our outstretched hands. After awhile, Mary and the baby went to the cabin for a nap while the boys and I played.

When we arrived at Sado we turned right and followed the coast line to our first campsite at Futatsugame. It was a beautiful drive and we made it to camp before sunset. Good timing all around.  After we setting up the tents, Mary made us a nice Peanut Butter and Jam dinner.  Then the kids went to their tent and we ended a long day.

The Main Tent

Having Dinner

In the middle of the night I noticed Mary was cuddling with me.  “Hmmmm. Maybe she wants some loving”, I thought.
But no... the air was leaking out of the air mattress and we were both rolling toward the center.  Oh well...  I was a little dissappointed as I blew it up and we went back to sleep.