{"id":1007,"date":"2008-11-23T23:51:03","date_gmt":"2008-11-23T14:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2008-11-23\/1007"},"modified":"2008-11-23T23:51:03","modified_gmt":"2008-11-23T14:51:03","slug":"mountain-drive-to-hiyoshi-dam-with-desktop-background-bonuses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2008-11-23\/1007","title":{"rendered":"Mountain Drive to Hiyoshi Dam (with Desktop-Background Bonuses)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 62 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 2200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nBeing Silly In the Mountains<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

Today is the middle of a three-day weekend, one that happens to fall\njust as the fall colors are really getting going, so Kyoto was absolutely\npacked to the gills with tourists. Fumie and I both<\/span> felt much better from\nour colds today, so we decided to take the opportunity to get out of\ntown.<\/p>\n\n

We went for a drive in the same general direction as we did with Fumie's\nfolks three weeks ago<\/a>,\ninto the mountains to the northwest of Kyoto. This time we had a specific<\/span>\ndestination, the Hiyoshi Dam (which, in case you've never heard of it, is a\ndam<\/span>), and we took a lovely<\/span> route of pleasantly-windy mountain roads that\nwe'd not taken before. (For those who know Kyoto: get onto Senbondori and\njust keep heading north.)<\/p>\n\n

The primary advantage of this route is that it totally bypassed\nArashiyama, an area of Kyoto steeped in exquisite beauty (explore the many\nthumbnails on this page<\/a> for\nposts I've written about Arashiyama), a beauty<\/span> surpassed in magnitude only\nby the number of tourists this time of year.<\/p>\n\n

Once we got out of the city, it wasn't long before we were in the middle\nof nowhere. Still, there was a lot<\/span> of traffic...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 62 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nTraffic Jam<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The road seen in the photo above is luxuriously<\/i> wide compared to\nmost we took today. Generally, they were quite narrow and winding,\nsometimes a very<\/span>-thin one-lane-only road for long distances. It made for<\/span>\nthe occasional “interesting time” when you came across someone coming from\nthe opposite direction and no wide spot presented itself.<\/p>\n\n

But here it was wide enough that we could safely pull over, and it was\npretty, so we took the opportunity to do so.<\/p>\n\n

It's Fumie's brother's birthday today, so we made a short<\/span> “happy\nbirthday” greeting video on Fumie's phone and sent it to him...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 29 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/7.1, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nChecking a Phone<\/span> Video<\/span>\nbirthday greeting to Uncle Shogo that we'd just made and were about to send\n<\/div>\n\n

While Fumie took care of the technical details of sending the video, I wandered<\/span> around with the camera. It was only<\/span> a bit<\/span> after three in the\nafternoon, but the sun was just about to dip below the mountains, so some\nareas were brightly lit while others were in relatively deep shade....<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSubdued But Colorful<\/span>\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n\n\nStandard: 1024×<\/span>768<\/a>  ·  1440×<\/span>1080<\/a>  ·  1600×<\/span>1200<\/a><\/small>     <\/span>\nWidescreen:  1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a><\/small><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nImperfect<\/span>\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n\n\nStandard: 1024×<\/span>768<\/a>  ·  1440×<\/span>1080<\/a>  ·  1600×<\/span>1200<\/a><\/small>     <\/span>\nWidescreen:  1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a><\/small><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 29 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\njust a snapshot, showing a\nWild Variety of Color<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 40 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMore Traffic<\/span>\nThe driver had a Ducati bike, Ducati jacket, and a Ducati<\/span> helmet. I think<\/span> he likes Ducati.\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/22, ISO 3200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nAnd Towering Above it All<\/span>\n\u6749 – sugi<\/i> – Japanese Ceder\n<\/div>\n\n

We eventually got going and headed deeper into the mountains. I paused<\/span> at one point to snap a shot<\/span> that shows what much of the mountainous area in\nJapan looks like:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 62 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 360 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nWood Farm<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

There were plenty of colorful trees everywhere, but the ones that stood\nalone among their green compatriots seemed more stunning. It was getting<\/span>\npretty dark down in the ravine that the road transversed, but one tree\ncould brighten things up....<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 2800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPit Stop for Play<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

In the shot above, Anthony is inspecting the carpet of moss by the side\nof the road for, well, whatever little boys look for. I found<\/span> a leaf.<\/span>...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 62 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/6.3, ISO 5600 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLeaf<\/span>\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n\n\nStandard: 1024×<\/span>768<\/a>  ·  1440×<\/span>1080<\/a>  ·  1600×<\/span>1200<\/a><\/small>     <\/span>\nWidescreen:  1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a><\/small><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

The leaves still on the branches, above a stream<\/span> far below, were wonderful, I thought.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 2200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLeaves<\/span>\n
Desktop-Background Versions<\/b>\n\n\nStandard: 1024×<\/span>768<\/a>  ·  1440×<\/span>1080<\/a>  ·  1600×<\/span>1200<\/a><\/small>     <\/span>\nWidescreen:  1280×<\/span>800<\/a>  ·  1680×<\/span>1050<\/a>  ·  1920×<\/span>1200<\/a>  ·  2560×<\/span>1600<\/a><\/small><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

It was here that Anthony, as six-year-old boys are apt to do, decided to\njust start jumping. Mommy joined him, and that's the shot that leads this post.<\/p>\n\n

But, it was time to hit the road if we wanted to reach the dam before sunset...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 50 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 1000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMore Luxuriously-Wide Road<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

And we did... just barely.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 24 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nView from Hiyoshi Dam<\/span>\nNantan City, Kyoto, Japan\n( yuck, half the sky is blown out, and half has weird clipped colors )<\/span>\nNantan City \/ Hiyoshi Dam<\/a> · Hiyoshi Dam Operator page<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/5, ISO 900 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLooking Down the Length of the Dam<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

Down below, in the area that would become a raging<\/span> torrent of death and\ndestruction should the dam ever break, there was a park<\/span> that Anthony could\nrun around in and explore...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 70 mm<\/span> — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>60 sec<\/span>, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 6400<\/span> —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nRocks and Water<\/span>\nalways make for fun for a six-year-old\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 70 mm<\/span> — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>50 sec<\/span>, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 6400<\/span> —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nAttempting Cross-Stream Traversal<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

It was getting quite dark (darker than these ISO-6400 photos indicate),\nso I was<\/span> hesitant to let him get too adventurous. Climbing around on some\nsimilar\nrocks<\/a> two weeks ago when it was well lit, he slipped and soaked his shoe,\nso in the enveloping darkness, we opted for other play..... running.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 40 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>50 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 6400<\/span> —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nRunning with Abandon<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

There's just something about a little boy running like that. Wow. It's the way<\/span> it should be.<\/p>\n\n

It reminds me of one of my favorite shots, Anthony running at\nNanzenji<\/a> (although there are plenty of other shots on that post that\nare right up there, such as this one<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n

He ran down and across this huge empty field, to a stage<\/span> that looked\ncomically small sitting all alone at the bottom end of the field. I suppose<\/span> it's perfect for summertime “concerts in the park” events, but for Anthony,\nit was just another place to run...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 70 mm<\/span> — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>40 sec<\/span>, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 6400<\/span> —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nEntering Stage Left<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

The view he had on stage facing as he was, was the imposing face of the\ndam, lit up with decidedly orange incandescent lights, which made for quite\na pretty<\/span> setting against the deep blue of twilight....<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f\/2.8 @ 32 mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/3.2, ISO 6400<\/span> —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHiyoshi Dam at Dusk<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n

It turns out that adjacent to this park is a “refresh plaza” with an onsen<\/i><\/a> (hot-spring\nbath), so we had a hot<\/span> bath and dinner before heading home.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today is the middle of a three-day weekend, one that happens to fall just as the fall colors are really getting going, so Kyoto was absolutely packed to the gills with tourists. Fumie and I both felt much better from our colds today, so we decided to take the opportunity to get out of town.<\/p>

We went for a drive in the same general direction as we did with Fumie's folks three weeks ago, into the mountains to the northwest of Kyoto. This time we had a specific destination, the Hiyoshi Dam (which, in case you've never heard of it, [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,14,2,6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1007"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1007"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1007\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}