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Letter 37
Tuesday 17.09.13 88,36 km
It's morning and bright sunshine. Fuji lies big and heavy outside my window.
I estimate the distance partly around the mountain to Fijinomija to 70 km.
There's at least 30 km to Fujiyoshida. But they're not much into distances here.
It takes an hour with bus - or ½ hour with car. It's only cyclists like me, that
worry about that - and we're a minority.
I go directly to Route 138. The ridge that Fuji sends out across my direction
lies there like a wall.
There was one crack in the wall
But after 5 km's inclining road, I don't see the wall any more. But a moment
later it's there again, much closer and more frightning.
But it's rather easy. After 18,5 km I pass Kagusaka Pass 1030 m. On my way I
passed cafe Copenhagen, with Odense, H.C.Andersen and the little mermaid.
Unfortunately: Today closed.
The first lake comes right after. It's beautiful if it hadn't been for all that
tourist stuff: Swan boats, boat docks, restaurants that have seen better days,
likewise hotels. A new hotel ruins the view on the other side.
There was a point in calling it Swan Lake
But soon after is there a shinto shrine where I stop by. After having descented
quite a bit I fear there will come a pass, but it stays with some km inclines.
Now at a road sta. I sit with my softice and look at 2 paragliders hanging
almost without moving up in front of the mountains opposite Fuji. They're really
up high. A big black bird does the same in the lower surroundings. It's only
these last km's I've had free sight to the mountain, before that it's only been
a glimpse now and then.
And from now it goes downwards for the last 20 km. It's not much I use my legs.
From time to time it goes TOO fast apparently. Suddenly the road has turn into a
motor traffic road without my knowledge. At a road construction I'm waved aside
to a parallel road. But later at a crossing,you have to find out for yourself,
what to do. I ask at a gas station. I have to take Road 414 a little to the
right.
Fuji-san seen from the south
This way I end up at Fujinomija Sta., where I can't find the tourist
information, even I step right by. But the hotel I find without any help. It
looks a little expensive, but as it is 6.000 Y incl. breakfast I accept.
When I get to my room, there's not only a fine view over the city in the evening
sun, the view to Fuji is even better than in Gotemba.
The new view from my window
That I'm still a bit weak I feel when I'm going to the supermarket on the other
side of the station and has to walk the stairs. I can hardly get up there.