+ Summer Dispatch + . After welcoming 35+ guests & groups to dear Okayama since borders reopened, with Ryoko’s master arborist exam ahead & per Dave’s doctors’ orders, we’re slowing way down and rambling towards mentors, wizards, seas & forests. See you Oct-ish. Fondly, D, R & I

But a road trip doesn't really start till that first rest area camp stove tin cup coffee. {Switching into analog dispatch mode… Contact me if there are any major #Canucks signings}

10:12AM . On the road, darling wife, rambunctious son, one stowaway Quatchi. 6 or so varieties of coffee and hard boiled eggs with faces. #OlsonObonOnsen

Dude is a legend.

PS In this kind of "two star lifestyle" road trip, restaurants are a budget buster and a sensory overload trap for me so, bringing a portable pantry for easy breakfasts and picnic lunches etc.

Hard boiled eggs for first day picnic #MoodBoard. Also, milk and egg delivery canceled, also newspaper delivery canceled (San-yo Shinbun)

Portable coffee shop ready to go #VarietyPack. Bringing travel French press (.42 L) and possible moka pot, along with camp stove and stainless steel kettle

Update: in a crocheted little pouch with button (made for rings at tea ceremonies), put:. ¥100.¥ 50.¥10.¥5 (he can drop at the shrine). #VarietyPack. Gave him the option of throwing his tooth over the roof next time if he wants.

Fresh photo moments after the incident

Ichiro just lost his first "baby tooth"… What's going right for tooth fairy these days? I mean I know it's not really a thing in Japan but we're going on road trip day after tomorrow so good way to give him some spending cash / yes he looks super cute and tough.

Also at Mac's goat farm, possibly the most beautifully produced and designed #poetry #book seen in quite some time. This is what I aspire to create. This, but mine.

At buddy Mac's goat farm, captured a few of his Grateful Dead/hippie artifacts. My brother and I intro'd him to this world when he was a young cowboy. Now he introsme to these beautiful ambient limited edition discs. Note: "Dave's picks vol. 1" & a VW bus that looks like mine

(Whilst MacGyvering up a Canon printer scanner so it will only print in black without needing all the cartridges) found a handwritten poetic outtake from the #Misasa #zine project in the hopper

Couple of #zine packs for the notable Hongo sensei and Steve hermit wizard who will be visiting along the way… All my heart is in these envelopes, well a significant part anyway

3 hospital visits in 1 week plus all the other things going on, plus getting our crew rallied out for 2 1/2 weeks of meandering is all a *bit much* yet need to take extra precautions to keep pace slow and senses low for me. Calm and comfortable is key but also cheap and cheerful.

Also hit up the library for a fresh stash of books for all (Soseki for me) and DVDs (Tintin, dinosaurs etc.) for the kiddo. The prefecture library is truly outstanding, and decent coffee shop in the lobby with views of a reflecting pool

we will be on the road during O-bon (staying put in Noto during the height of everything) so we rolled by 2 sets of o-haka today to tidy weeds, pour water, light incense (from Ginkakuji), and give the ancestors an update and prayer.

Keen observers will note that this is between 2:15 and 2:45 driving hours per day. I no longer drive so it's Ryoko at the wheel but I'll make some mixtapes . Will stop for picnics and brew up at scenic locations daily . #RoadsideAttractions.

So about that trip we're getting ready for… . Today our car guy comes to pick up the van for servicing (he takes it away, gives us a loaner and then brings it back). And I need to sort out 30+ medications per day in an orderly manner, stash in baggies. Then choose 3 ideal shirts

#gaijintwitter. * Olson 2-⭐️ Summer Tour *. {w/ ukulele, possible accordion, tea, dinosaurs and swims}. Maizuru.Katsuyama.Kahoku.Noto.Tonami.Kurohime.Nakatsugawa.Arima.Tsuchida (home). No T-shirts available at this time. via Agnes the van. #twostarlifestyle

My life revolves around this condition and I don't want to anymore #MECFS #PEM.