Harvesting Mountain Vegetables with Shimoton JHS

	I decided to climb a mountain with Erika in search of ainu-negi (some type of onion whith a hint of garlic. Very tasty, but quite aromatic in the long run.). This picture was taken to show how high up we were. You can see some people down in the valley between two of the birches.
	Here's one with Erika in the shot. It was a fun climb, but tough. The sasa have strong roots, but every once in a while they gave way leaving me scrambling for purchase or sliding down into the nearest tree.
	We brought a hunter along in case we ran into bears. He's showing his gun to Sachiho and Erika.
	Group Shot. I actually got to hold that gun once... I think it's the first time I ever actually held a real one.
	Afterwards it was time to make the food. I claimed the role of photographer/foreign attraction and managed to avoid any of the hard work.
	The boys grating radishes for wasabi. If you think cutting onions makes people tear up...
	Fire up the grills for some Ghengis Khan! For some reason, that's what mutton barbecue is called here. All I know is it tastes damn good.
	Some of the fixins.
	The crowd gathered around to eat.
	Michi discovered a hole in his tea bottle. Hilarity ensued.
	Erika and Takai-sensei have become very close...
	And after the feast, some softball.
	My team on the bench.
	Again a bit later.

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