As it turns out, Dan is a fish. Who knew?

So after a grueling 5-hour bus ride to Sasebo to compete against the swim team there, Danielle Grace swam away 1st Place in 25-meter backstroke, 2nd Place in the 25-meter freestyle, and 1st Place in the medley 200-meter relay!!!

Way to go, Dan!

Now, if we could figure out how to get the pictures off the good camera...

Terabithia, my butt!

Our adventure to Kintai Bridge is really too much to write about. Instead, the day is (partially) presented in a photo essay. The bridge itself is more than 300 years old and enough to a reason to pay a visit, but there's MUCH more to the area. We saw plenty, but didn't even hit it all.

Before crossing, the ladies channeled their inner tourists, taking and posing for pictures of the famous bridge. Mommy tried a "lotus root and potato" confection, just like grandma used to make. Not that bad, a little greasy, but it was deep-fried.

Across the bridge, we visited a samurai family's home, also several hundred years old, some beautiful parks, a Shinto temple, and lots of other attractions. We boarded the cable car to the top of the mountain where Kintai castle now stands as a museum rife with artifacts.

Back at the bottom we cooled our heels in the fountain before starting a food quest that was long but successful.