Obama promotes Great Outdoors initiative

The outdoors are funny. If you haven't been in the woods, nothing anyone can say makes them seem attractive. It's seems intuitive that watching a TV show about the woods, while in your air conditioned and heated home, is far preferable.

I always felt that way.

BTW - If you’re reading this on Facebook and want to see the links, go to http://snowboardingjapan.blogspot.com/.
Then I started snowboarding and my connection to the outdoors was forged. Today, I prefer the outdoors to...well, almost everything. I'm concerned as fewer and fewer Americans experience the outdoors and that can lead to our wildernesses disappearing.

So, get outside. Walk a little in the woods, on the beach - go somewhere that isn't overpopulated by anything but wildlife. It's infectious. You can easily become addicted.

That experience, more than anything I write, can explain why Obama's initiative is so important.

Snowboarding in Japan by the sea?

Okay...that's not really the ocean. But it sure looks like it. Shiga Kogen is always pretty but sometimes it is simply stunning. This was one of those days.

It's snowing in Japan in some places with snow coming for more

With many predicting a less-than-stellar year, it's good to hear that Hokkaido is getting snow and snow is predicted for Shiga Kogen and Kagura. Yesterday's Ullr Revival is beginning to pay off. Burn an old snowboard while drinking a PBR - can't hurt ;-)

Hakkoda Japan snowboarding - shelter from the storm

Just an old picture. You ride an old lift up. Then you get off and hike 2 hours. Then, you chill in a cabin that blocks the wind and is warmed by other bodies and an infrequent heater. The author on the left - a one-time riding buddy on the right.

What's my line? Marunuma (Japan) powder a few years ago

A few years ago, we caught Marunuma during the week. Fresh powder, small resort, and no one there all day. These are the moments we pray to Ullr to experience. This is the essence of the snowboarding (or skiing) Japan experience.

Nozawa Onsen Feb 2006

This is an economy car. Start digging! All the snow in Japan isn't in Hokkaido!