Thanks for the kind words, Kim! Let's think about doing some local overnighters next summer. Plenty of destinations to choose from.

Heck of a journey. Hope you get some enjoyable downtime before the flight home. And congratulations on making it to the end!

I'm still enjoying reading about your travels: thanks for persevering with the diary! And the hills, of course... 😉

Hey, congratulations! Major accomplishment. It was nice to be reminded of what. Great stretch of coast that is.

Hey, I think you are a great writer! I read some of your early entries all at once. Then I got overwhelmed as has often happened with Peter's journals from Bosnia. I remembered to pop in today. I'm sharing your excitement with a bit of envy. I want to do the Netherlands and Germany next fall.

It was pretty sweet! Thanks so much for the tips. Your experience has been incredibly helpful.

Boy, does this look better than biking the scary ‘mainland’ route between Onomichi and Hiroshima.

I'm embarrassed to say it wasn't your journal, but Jean-Marc Styrdom's 2018 account. I have no doubt that (skinnier) Buddha and golf ball were a highlight of your journey as well!

Looks like he’s put on a few pounds though.

Check out Okonomimura when you’re in Hiroshima . Three floors of nothing but okonomiyaki restaurants.

Apparently cosmos in Japan are quite famous.

https://savorjapan.com/contents/discover-oishii-japan/enjoy-glorious-autumn-views-japan-most-beautiful-cosmos-fields/

Hey Mark, from one early retiree to another, thanks for reading! Glad to have you along for the ride.

Sad for you that you couldn't manage second breakfast. In the rare event that this happens to me, I substitute it with elevenses, brunch, mid-morning snack, or simply an amuse-bouche prior to early lunch. There's generally a workaround somewhere. 😉

Enjoying reading about the travels, and I hope it stays dry for you!

Absolutely true. If we didn't already have other plans, we would have stayed longer.

Kyoto deserves more days