WnTOuting
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Walk n' Talk Outing # 6
Date & Time:
Location:
Description:
October 8, 2021 (10:00-14:00)
Takino Suzuran Hillside Park
The general plan is to start with those wishing to come around 10:00 for the morning stroll, meeting at the lower Keiryu Guchi Parking Area, which is the starting point for a walk to Ashiribetsu Waterfalls. After returning to the parking lot we will drive up to the Chuo Guchi Parkiing Lot and enter the Chushin Zone (Country Garden entrance) to view the flower garden from the bottom of the hillside. We will then drive up to the Higashi Guchi Parking lot to enter the Country House area at the top of the hillside, where our lunch options are located. For those wishing to start from noon and coming by car or bus this is the best place to meet those who came earlier. The weather is forecast to be fine so there should be a lot of exercise and socialization outdoors.
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Summary
Quite a lot was packed into our scheduled 10:00-14:00 block of time, in which we had planned to explore Takino Park. Eight members planned to meet for the morning walk in the Keiryu Zone to visit Ashiribetsu Falls. Yasu, Jess, Ken, Junko and Sally arrived early with Peggy, Gary and Cindy coming by car thereafter. Cindy called to say that she had gotten lost and would be a bit late. Therefore, Ken and Junko, along with Sally and Yasu, decided to get a head start moving toward the falls, which would take about 30 minutes. The others waited for Cindy knowing that they could walk quicker and catch up to us at the falls. The weather was ideal and I believe the photos will show what a lovely day it was. When we did the return walk it was approaching noon, so five members decided to walk to the Shiraho waterfalls, which was uphill on the way towards our lunch destination.
Ken, Junko and Yasu drove up to the East Entrance Parking Lot, in order to meet Bob and Stuart, who planned to arrive in time for lunch. Yasu had arranged to meet his wife at the East Entrance as they had plans for some shopping before returning home. Bob had picked up Stuart at his home and brought him to the park where we chatted inside the entrance to the Central Zone. This area includes the Country House restaurant on the top of the hill with lots of beautiful flowers planted on it. As you will see in the photos taken mostly by Jess, there are many beautiful sights to be photographed. When the others arrived, we were all ready for lunch and decided to go into the Country House restaurant for food and conversation. We now had 10 members and split up into three socially distanced groups.
After a long leisurely lunch, we spent most of our time walking around the flower garden at the top and continuing the conversations that took place during lunch. With afternoon clouds starting to come in, everyone figured out the best way to get to their cars, some of which were at the bottom of the mountain. It turned out to be a really wonderful outing with very few people in the park, on a sunny Friday with pleasant temperatures. If you have never been to Takino Park, it is really quite close to Sapporo, and once you enter and pay the all day parking fee, you can move around to any of the parking areas within this huge park. There is also a small fee to enter the Central Zone area of the park, with senior citizens paying only 210 yen. The park is also open in winter with some fun activities available.
Ken, Junko and Yasu drove up to the East Entrance Parking Lot, in order to meet Bob and Stuart, who planned to arrive in time for lunch. Yasu had arranged to meet his wife at the East Entrance as they had plans for some shopping before returning home. Bob had picked up Stuart at his home and brought him to the park where we chatted inside the entrance to the Central Zone. This area includes the Country House restaurant on the top of the hill with lots of beautiful flowers planted on it. As you will see in the photos taken mostly by Jess, there are many beautiful sights to be photographed. When the others arrived, we were all ready for lunch and decided to go into the Country House restaurant for food and conversation. We now had 10 members and split up into three socially distanced groups.
After a long leisurely lunch, we spent most of our time walking around the flower garden at the top and continuing the conversations that took place during lunch. With afternoon clouds starting to come in, everyone figured out the best way to get to their cars, some of which were at the bottom of the mountain. It turned out to be a really wonderful outing with very few people in the park, on a sunny Friday with pleasant temperatures. If you have never been to Takino Park, it is really quite close to Sapporo, and once you enter and pay the all day parking fee, you can move around to any of the parking areas within this huge park. There is also a small fee to enter the Central Zone area of the park, with senior citizens paying only 210 yen. The park is also open in winter with some fun activities available.