Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan -2020- Day 2

Day 2 of "Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan"!
The snow that had been falling since the previous evening showed no signs of stopping even in the morning. Amidst this, today we are going for a walk in the forest.
Setting off from the "Shikaribetsu Lake Nature Center," located directly across the road from "Hotel Fusui."

Almost primeval forest

We borrowed snowshoes and crunched our way along the snowy path. Even calling it a snowy path, it was just a trail made by animals that people had trampled down.
Five minutes after walking behind the guide, we were suddenly in the middle of a "silent" forest. The accumulated snow had beautifully overwritten the traces of animals from the day before, creating a world of pristine ink wash painting.
It is a forest in a state of primeval nature with almost no human intervention. If you look closely, you can see traces of black woodpeckers and deer, and the firm buds on the tips of trees busy preparing for spring in the harsh winter.

Whoa!

If you step slightly off the path, your legs will sink up to your thighs even while wearing snowshoes.
Time for coffee! If you trample down the area around you, a table is finished in no time! No need for Doraemon's gadgets.

To the lower world

When we finished our walk, I was hungry. Returning from the natural world to the human world.
Let's go find some food in the town at the foot of the mountain!
Before that, I have to shovel the snow off the car.

Just as I thought that, I realized, "It's already done!"

Wonderful!

A hotel service. It's a service unique to snowy regions, and I was moved because I hadn't even thought of it.

Where is the Tokachi sunshine?

However, snow began to pile up in no time. Even though we had been saying, "A forest of fresh snow is nice, isn't it?" just a moment ago, the words "Where did the Tokachi sunshine go?" involuntarily escaped my lips.
When we arrived at the center of Shikaoi Town, snow was piling up on the asphalt, even though there was almost none when we passed through yesterday.

Shikaoi Town's specialties include "soba" and "burdock root."

So, we had "Burdock Tempura Soba."

There were "hot soba" and "cold soba" options. My family compared them, and my preference was "cold."
Even if it's cold outside, the inside of the shop is warm, and the cold dipping sauce allowed me to feel the firmness of the noodles, which was delicious.
For those interested, I think you can find it by searching for "Men-dokoro Shikamen."

Tokachi storm!!

While we were eating leisurely, it started snowing even more. Or rather, the "wind" had become stronger! We hurriedly got into the car to return to the hotel. Setting off!
On the way back, when the snowbreak fence ended, a gust of wind and snow that made me cry out "Whoa!" hit us, and the car body swayed slightly. At the same time, everything in front of me turned pure white, and I lost visibility.

After passing through the windy plains and entering the mountain road, the wind calmed down a little.

Aaaah!!

Just as I thought that, the road protected by the woods only lasted part of the way. As we climbed higher and higher, the place that would normally have a good view had become a terrifying, wind-swept area. Suddenly,

"Aaaah!"

A white wind was blowing up from diagonally below.
"Whiteout." I couldn't see anything at all. I reflexively stepped on the brake and stopped the car. Visibility cleared, I moved the car forward. Soon the wind became strong again.

A car that had passed us a little while ago turned back. It seems they gave up. But we have to go. It's our lodging for tonight.

Phew

When we arrived at the inn, I was more exhausted than I had been from the "forest walk" in the morning. It was a moment where I caught a glimpse of the threat of Hokkaido's nature and the difficulty of living in it.

To relax, you need a bath!
Today, I'm challenging the long-awaited "open-air bath on the ice"!
Of course, the floor and walls of the changing room are ice! And, outdoor shoes are prohibited in the changing room.

I quickly kicked off my shoes and socks at the entrance. "Ugh," even while I was taking off my clothes, my feet were slowly...
"Ow, ow."

A big discovery! A situation existed where you have to "march in place" other than on a summer beach. Alright! I'm undressed! Setting off to the bathtub, no! DASH!!
Screaming "Aaaah!" I plunged into the bathtub.
"Huu" (1 minute passed...)

"Phew" (5 minutes passed...)


It feels too good (the bathtub is not ice ^_^)



#Since it's a mixed bath, there are no photos... (^_^);

After my bath, I've come here again today. At this "Ice Bar," you can keep your glass—not a bottle—of ice. Though, since it's a sub-zero world even during the day, it wouldn't melt anyway. In fact, the beer was kept in the refrigerator behind the counter so it wouldn't freeze.

I put on my gear over my body, still flushed from the open-air bath, and pour some ice-cold alcohol down my throat.
"Delicious."

Tomorrow will surely be a "Tokachi clear sky." Storms should be left to Johnny's.
I tilt my glass, offering a prayer.

(To be continued tomorrow...)