By: Andrea Marterella, Pine Grove Area High School, Pine Grove, PA
As a child, I remember watching “The Price is Right!” during the summer. Like clock work, every weekday at 11 am, Bob Barker would say, “____, you’re the next contestant on 'The Price is Right'.” Come on down!” The audience would cheer and the contestants would come running down to take their places on Contestants Row. My sister, cousins and I would settle down and begin trying to figure out which game the contestant would be playing after they got up on stage. We would guess…
“Plinko?”
“No, they had that on yesterday,” someone would say.
“How about ‘Any Number’?”
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s so boring though!”
“I know! I know! ‘Cliff Hanger’,” Someone would yell. All of us would laugh in agreement and say, “Yep! That’s going to be on today!” I watched in amazement as our little friend, The Cliff Hanger and how he would climb up the side of the mountain and yodel. The contestant always hoping that The Cliff Hanger would stay on his mountain. I always found that odd. Why would someone find so much joy in hiking? It should be noted that I for one never actually, what most people call, hiked. To me a hike is to walk around the block or a mall with a sense of purpose. Typically, if I’m going farther than three and a half miles…I’m going in my car with a working air conditioner. Intentionally going walking in the woods or camping with bugs, other forms of multiple legged creatures and poisonous types of vegetation is not exactly my idea of a good time. But to each their own…
Our adventures began today at 8 am, at the start we were three men down; however, the remainder of the group was looking forward to our hike up to the Minoh Waterfall and all walked to the train station with such a great sense of purpose and excitement (Your’s Truly was excited as well, because as they say, “When in Japan, do what the Japanese do!”). We got on our first train and a fellow traveler, Tim, said to me, “So what do you have in your back pack for the hike?” I said, “You know- iPod, camera, book, bug spray- wipes with Deet and two cans of the spray bug repellant.” He looked at me in shock, “Oh, really? Nothing else?” At this point, I thought to myself, “I thought I had the proper hiking equipment: Water bottle, Columbia sneakers with proper tread, two different types of Clif bars, a lighter type top, two kinds of bug spray, hair up, roll-up pants to keep the bugs off of my legs, not to mention all of the electronics!” I asked, “Well, what did you bring?” His response and reasons behind each item, and please know that I’m paraphrasing here- Two pairs of socks-keep the feet happy, two shirts- one for while your walking one to change into afterward, etc. After listening to Tim and becoming more aware of the hiking culture, and my lack of proper hiking experience and necessities, the only thing that came to my mind was, "I'm screwed!"
After our fifteen minute trip on the train and a quick stop in a convenience store for our lunches we met our guides: Brad Grindstaff, a friend, and a few of Brad’s students. A fellow teacher, Ron, presented information on the Mino Waterfall. Ron stated that the waterfall is in the Osaka Prefecture. There are temples, an insect museum and shops along the trails selling many different items including toys made in this area. Also, in this area there is a hotel known for its elevators and views. After Ron’s presentation, Brad was quick to let the group know that hiking in Japan is not only to keep one fit, but also about chatting along the way.
We began our trip up the mountain passing by lovely little shops full of native crafts and touristy type items. “I can handle this hike,” said more than one of my fellow travelers. We saw a dachshund scurry by with his hiking gear on. The group reached a well kept temple. It should be noted that Minoh is known for the monkeys who inhabit it as well; however, most have been moved farther into the woods after many developed tooth decay from tourists feeding them. (Please see the picture of the temple and signs for further visuals.)
The group then came to, as Robert Frost would say, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood/… I took the one less traveled by,/ and that made all the difference.” Mr. Frost, and my buddy The Cliff Hanger, would be proud of my fellow travelers and myself. Up the side of a mountain, down the side of a mountain, steps covered with wet leaves and moss, HUGE beetles (minimum four inches), spider webs and these fantastic views of creeks. A few times, looking over the edge, I thought, “I’m going to end up like The Cliff Hanger” right off the edge.” At one point we reached a place where the sign read something to the effect of “The Gates of the Underworld.” The rocks of the water bed looked a little treacherous, but not exactly- “The Gates of the Underworld.”
Yes, ladies and gentlemen it was hot and humid, but interestingly enough we kept the Japanese style of hiking in mind, chit-chatting along the way. After the gates of the Underworld we finally made it to the falls! BREATH TAKING! Simply beautiful! The beauty of our hike was INCREDIBLE! We saw so much natural beauty from snails, to mini-crabs, different types of vegetation and temples. A few members of the group ate lunch or snacks at the falls. Some stayed for a more trails and Merry-Go-Round Sushi and others went back to the hotel, but not before strolling through the town shopping eating Shaved Ice and Ice Cream. Fried Maple Leaf anyone? If you are wondering, a fried maple leaf tastes like a fried fortune cookie.
I will be going hiking again (beyond three and a half miles); however, next time I will be better prepared. Thanks for your suggestions Tim! I’ll be a professional in no time!
Study Tour
