Out of the Mist (Sights along the Way)

Port of Vancouver.
World trade, free and otherwise, continues on a scale
that boggles the mind despite government polices to the contrary.

"Oh my gosh!"

My sentiments exactly while riding shotgun.

4x4 "survival" course somewhere above Ketchikan, Alaska.

John Hopkins Glacier,
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Hubbard Glacier as seen from Disenchantment Bay.
This picture was taken from about 6 miles out.
The glacier face rises 300 to 400 feet above the waterline
and stretches about 6 to 7 miles across the bay.
It is one of a few glaciers throughout the world that is advancing.

Lunch with a view.

Leaving Valdez, Alaska

Hike to Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park near Seward, Alaska.
Left:  Two hams vying for the spotlight.
Top right:  This glacier is receding.  The glacier reached far down this valley not long ago.
Bottom right:  Exit Glacier as seen retreating to its source, the Harding Icefield. 

Sea lions hanging out near the seafood processing plants, Kodiak, Alaska.

When not taking selfies, we're taking pictures of each other.
This is the moment we crossed the International Date Line,
each in our favorite reading chair at the starboard watch.
Time:  6:10 P.M., September 17, 2026.
Place:  Latitude 54° 28.420' N   Longitude 180° 00.000' E
   

Two days later we became aware of Typhoon Dujuan 2026 - the purple spiral
on the map downloaded from Windy.com.
With the storm tracking from Tokyo to the Gulf of Alaska, a game of chicken ensued.
Thankfully, our captain flinched.

Entrance to the Imperial Palace, Tokyo.
Outer moat and Seimon Ishibashi (Main Gate Stone Bridge).
No.  We weren't invited in.

Tokyo Skytree, 2,080 feet tall, making it the worlds tallest freestanding broadcasting tower.
Confession:  This photo was heavily edited with AI.  The original was shot out of a moving bus.
  I debated myself about including it as I doubt it wins any photo awards.
But the structure as well as the process were interesting to me so here it is.

Left:  Monkey guardian, Hie Shrine.  
Right top:  Descending through 90 torii gates from Sanno Inari Shrine.
Right bottom:  Shinto shrine, Sanno Inari Shrine. 

Three sample works of art stumbled upon.
Artists, era, significance, medium, etc. all unknown.
But these and many more moved me to raise my phone camera.

Just like home....only cleaner.

Hinokicho Park.
Perfect tranquility in Tokyo Midtown.

Akasaka Hikawa Shrine.

Lunch break at Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu.
As the hostess led us to our table, she shouted "Irasshaimase!"
And I do mean loud!!!  
Then, the rest of the staff echoed back "HAI!  Irasshaimase!"
(Welcome! or Please come in!)

A very small slice of the Tokyo skyline
as seen from the 52nd floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower.
At the far left horizon at distance, the Tokyo Skytree rises into the clouds.
Our last sightseeing stop and appropriately, in a misty rain.