Trip to Utoro, Hokkaido

Made a stop at a rest area ... there was a Sponge Bob snow statue.

On the way to Utoro.

So peaceful.

Half the waterfall was frozen.

This half was frozen.

My friend from jr. high did all the driving for me...thanks!

Breathtaking view

See the sea ice in the distance?

There were lots of wild deer.
Unlike the deer in Nara though, they don't come close, but they don't run away either.

It was snowing from the ground-up!

Walking on the sea ice and swimming.
I'm wearing a "dry suit" so unlike wetsuits, you stay dry (some water seeped in from my sleeves), but after an hour of being in the freezing water, I felt like I turned into ice myself.
Cool experience though.

The sea ice finally arrived!

Animal tracks.
I was so into following the tracks that I wasn't looking where I was walking, and fell hip-deep into the snow after I took this picture.

Love walking in the snow...the only sound you hear are your own footsteps. There's something really relaxing about that.

I felt like I stepped into a different world when I came to this spot.

I wish I could live in a log house in a place like this.
It was absolutely beautiful.

More wild deer.

The sea ice finally reached shore.
This last day was the coldest of all the days.

By the sea.

Had a great time.
I think Hokkaido may be the one place in Japan I could actually live in and feel like I belong.
Hope I'll get to go again someday!