Boat ride on the Ashi lake

The misty day meant clouds hung low on the mountains and it was really pretty. We took a boat ride on the huge lake formed by the volcano's eruption years ago. It is a beautiful area and we all enjoyed it-we were the only people on the boat and it was fun to wander around and take photos and just stand and take in the vista.

Then we went on to a wooden craft place where they take paper thin pieces of wood that they have formed into intricate designs and make all sorts of crafts out of them. We had fun trying to open the 7 step secret box our Tour Director Yuko had. Allen mastered it in no time flat....Mom had to ask for help on the last two steps. The hydrangeas are blooming here and they are gorgeous-every shade of blue and pink and purple and ones like light blue centers and very dark blue edges on the lace cap type. A lot of the plants here are ones we see at home-including kudzu....