Mom's Aomori Adventures 2023 (Part 3) / 母さんの靑森冒険 ２０２３年 （パート３）

We still had time before check-in at our hot spring hotel in Fukaura Town so we decided to take my mother to Lake Juniko to check out Aoike. We were a little worried as one has to walk 0.6 kilometers from the visitor center/parking lot to get to this particular lake. I wasn't sure if my mother would be able to handle it. But she was up for the adventure. However, we first stopped at a place that used to be called Santa Land. There are some remnants to remind you of the place's past. 

深浦街の温泉施設のチェックインタイムまでまだ時間があったから、母を十二湖と青池に連れて行った。でもちょっと不安でした。なぜと言えば、青池に行くのには、０．６キロの距離を歩けなきゃいけない。そして木材の階段も上れなきゃいけない。母さんは大丈夫かな。でも母が言ってみようというから、それを実行した。青池に行く前に、昔サンタランドという場所があり。

We arrived at Lake Juniko and the souvenir / food shop closest to Aoike. Normally, cars have to park in the lot up a steep hill, then people would walk down these stairs to pay for parking. My mother and I got off before my wife was going to head up to the parking lot. However, the parking lot attendant saw me and my mother get out of the car and he told my wife to park in the handicapped parking area. That means my mother won't have to walk up the steep steps! Getting to Aoike is left all up to my mother. 

十二湖に着いて、一般の駐車場を上る前に僕と母が車から降りた。駐車場の責任者がそれを見て、妻に障害者用のパーキングエリアに誘導した。これはありがたい。あとは母さんの力次第。

Proof that my mother was walking on her own. 

母が自分の力で歩いてる証拠。

This is Ketoba Pond. 

これは鶏頭場の池。

Tried to make one of those trick photos where the three women would be standing on the palm of my hand. 

トリックフォトを撮ろうとしてが、ちょっと失敗だね。３人が僕の手のひらの上に立つようなものを撮りたかった。

And here we are at Aoike. It actually looks a lot bluer when the sun is out. I think it's best to go around August. 

青池に到着。８月の超晴れた日に来ればもっと青く見えると想う。

My mother and mother-in-law in at Aoike. 

青池の前に立つ母と義理の母。

My mother, mother-in-law, and wife at Aoike. 

青池の前に立ち並ぶ母、義理の母と妻。

They're all checking out the pond. 

青池をずーと眺めてる様な感じ。

Time to walk back to the parking lot. 

駐車場に戻る時が来た。

A little rest time for my mother. My wife is sitting next to her. 

母が一旦休憩します。隣に座ってるのは僕の妻です。

A couple heading towards Aoike were kind enough to take pictures of the three of us. 

青池に向かってるカップルが三人の写真を撮ってくれました。

Checking Mom's pedometer. Look at that, over 2500 steps. 

母の万歩計を見ると、２５００歩以上歩いてる。

A little break time for me as I drink an Aoike Cider (non-alcoholic). 

自分にも休憩タイム。青池サイダーを飲みました。

And now we are heading to the hot spring hotel. 

これから温泉ホテルに向かってます。

I was hoping it would be one of the limited express trains that would pass by but it was only a local train. 

得別の列車が来ると想ったら各停のローカル線でした。

Next stop, our hotel for the evening. Mom's adventure continues...

次の目的地は風呂不死温泉。母の靑森冒険がつづく。。。