So it’s been quite some time since I’ve posted about hiking. Mostly because I haven’t done much hiking.

I haven’t done ZERO hiking; some weekends I join a group of women who are trying to hike 100 miles of the North Country Trail in 2024. A lot of the NCT overlaps with the Iron Belle, which I was walking a few years ago. But I’ve mostly been going along for the ride, not really paying attention to which sections I’ve hiked. Thus I haven’t written about it.

But, um, I’m back in Japan, preparing to hike four more days of the Shikoku pilgrimage route. It’s been almost exactly SEVEN YEARS since last I hiked part of this pilgrimage.

And…usually before these long walks, I really put a lot of effort into planning and training. This time…I’m just kinda showing up.

It’s Golden Week here, which is the biggest vacation time in Japan. So I booked my accommodations in advance. I’ve looked at the route, kinda. And…that’s about it.

Tonight I’m staying at a delightful AirBnB, which is far too big for just one person. But it was the only place to stay where I need to be, so the 8-person house it is.

The proprietor, Tadashi, was kind to pick me up at the airport, help me get dinner and a lunch for tomorrow, and send my carry-on to my final destination.

Now I’m settled in for the night…looking ahead to a 23 mile hike. Or about 14 miles…????

Maybe it’s going to be a mistake. Not much I can do about it now, though.

A few pictures from the inn…