If you've ever wondered what it would be like to fly along the ground, definitely take the Shinkansen (shin-kan-sen). I got to experience it for the first time this week on a trip up to Morioka. The total distance is about 650 km, and the entire trip took about 2.5 hours...that's pretty fast...around 250km/hr, or over 150 mph. Seeing it flash by as I drove under the tracks once or twice was impressive. Riding it was just plain incredible...objects near the tracks are a blur as you zoom by, you pass through train stations in the blink of an eye, and when you meet another shinkansen train on the tracks...it's indescribable. Just really, really cool.

I had to go up to Morioka for a planning conference with our Japanese counterparts...we got a lot done in a short time, which is good, as I'll be leaving again tomorrow morning for Kyushu for another conference. We stay busy...I like the traveling, of course, and the opportunity to see different parts of Japan, but it's no fun being away from Melody. Just part of our military life, though, so we deal with it.

Some Pictures...I apologize for the quality of some of them...the "bad" ones were taken with my camera phone.

Waiting for the train...

All lined up...

Shinkansen drivers...

Tunnel...

Sunset behind Iwatesan (Mt. Iwate, north of Morioka)...

Iwatesan and Camp Iwate (JGSDF)...

Socializing with our Japanese counterparts...Kampai!