Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Bear Blockade at Yellowstone: 3/24/2025

This is how humanity will be fooled by AI...

Bears Form Unprecedented Blockade at Yellowstone Entrance—Scientists Fear They Know Something We Don’t.

Yellowstone National Park – Tourists hoping to take in the breathtaking landscapes and geothermal wonders of Yellowstone were met with an unexpected natural phenomenon Monday morning: an impenetrable wall of bears. Hundreds—possibly thousands—of grizzly and black bears have gathered at the park’s entrances, blocking all roads and refusing to budge, causing traffic delays, camper evacuations, and an existential crisis among park rangers.

“We’ve seen bears near the gates before, but never like this,” said Yellowstone wildlife biologist Dr. Henry Clawson, watching nervously from a safe distance. “It’s almost as if they’re organizing. And that’s… deeply unsettling.”

The bears, appearing well-fed and unusually calm, have reportedly been standing shoulder to shoulder, occasionally exchanging nods and guttural grunts. Some are even holding up crude wooden signs that, while unreadable, have fueled concerns that bears may now be literate.

Scientists are scrambling to understand the cause of the gathering, with theories ranging from early hibernation confusion to Yellowstone finally becoming the first national park to unionize under bear leadership. However, the most chilling hypothesis is that the bears sense an impending event—one that human scientists have failed to detect.

“What if they’re trying to keep us out for a reason?” whispered park ranger Doug McAllister, staring wide-eyed at the bear barricade. “What do they know that we don’t?”

Adding to the tension, reports are surfacing of elk, moose, and even wolves retreating from the park’s interior at an alarming rate. Conspiracy theorists have already begun speculating about everything from an imminent super-volcano eruption to a long-overdue bison uprising.

For now, Yellowstone remains inaccessible, with local authorities unsure of how to proceed. Some have suggested negotiating with the bears, but others fear such talks could lead to the realization that humanity is, in fact, not at the top of the food chain.

Until more is known, scientists are urging the public to remain calm, avoid feeding the bears, and “maybe just… not go to Yellowstone for a bit.”
 
March 24, 2025
Yellowstone, MT
 

 

Sunday, March 23, 2025

熊野古道 - Kumano Kodo, Japan

Kumano Kodo (熊野古道) is an ancient pilgrimage route in the Kii Peninsula, known for its scenic beauty, cultural significance, and connection to sacred shrines. Kumano Kodo in Japan and the Camino de Santiago in Spain are the only 2 UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes in the world.

During our trip in Japan, I was so inspired by the thoughts of one day to be able to hike 熊野古道. Super excited, I came home and watched many 熊野古道 related hiking videos... Not sure how to tell you the outcome of my studies. The initial assessment is - this may not be something I can accomplish in this life time!! We'll see, maybe I'll find a way to try it...

Day1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFqKBR-gB1g

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Snow Monkeys, Japan

It was another unusually crowded day. We stayed in line in the snow for over 30 minutes to get to the ticket booth. I knew there would be people by the hot spring, but didn’t realize there would be SO MANY people!!
 
By the time I finally found my spot, took out my camera, I was hit by the shocking reality - my camera stopped working. Can you imagine the panic going through my head at that moment???
 
I had to switch to a different camera, which produced less ideal photos…
 
Nagano, Japan
February 16, 2025
 
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Jigokudani Yaen-Koen (地獄谷野猿公苑), also known as the Jigokudani Monkey Park, is a famous attraction located in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
 
It’s home to the Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), commonly known as snow monkeys. The monkeys are famous for soaking in the natural hot springs, especially during winter. The sight of snow monkeys in the warm onsen while surrounded by snow is a unique and globally recognized attraction.
 

 

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Ginzan Onsen (银山温泉), Japan

It was a snowy and slippery evening for sure...

Notoya Ryokan,Ginzan Onsen
Yamagata, Japan
February 14, 2025

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Notoya Ryokan, located in the charming hot spring town of Gero, is an exceptional ryokan that blends historical depth with a deep respect for tradition. It’s considered one of the oldest ryokan in Japan, and its legacy ties closely to the broader cultural history of Japanese hospitality, hot spring bathing, and local customs.

Notoya Ryokan was established during the Meiji period (1868–1912), a time when Japan was transitioning from the Edo period’s isolation to embracing modernization and Western influences. The ryokan’s history stretches back to this era, and it reflects a time of profound change, symbolizing the fusion of traditional Japanese culture with the new dynamics of modern Japan. Many historical ryokan, like Notoya, were built during this time to cater to the growing number of travelers who were discovering the allure of Japan’s onsen resorts.

What truly sets Notoya apart is its commitment to preserving traditional Japanese aesthetics. The ryokan’s architectural design and interior details offer a window into historical Japan, featuring classic elements such as sliding doors, mats, low wooden tables, and soft lighting, which embody simplicity and tranquility. 



Sunday, March 9, 2025

Zao Mountains, Japan

Our trip was full of drama - as always!!

蔵王山 was one of the highlights of this trip to Japan. It's a ski resort, so you'd think we could just take a gondola and go up there, right? Wrong!!

Day1 was very windy and snowy. Wanting to stick with our travel schedules, we ignored the weather warning and charged ahead. Wow, we literally waited in line for 2.5 hours - in the wind and snow. When we finally got up there, it was in a total whiteout condition. The winds were so strong on top of the mountain that we could barely open our eyes! The goal was the photograph those odd-shaped, ice-covered trees. The challenge was - we couldn't see ANYTHING; couldn't even bring out our cameras.

Day2 was sunny. We decided to try again. Wow, this time, it took us 4.5 hours to finally get up there - insane!! Honestly, I have never stood in such long lines in my life! Japan, why???

Hard to take meaningful photos under such strong lights (The place opened at 8:30am. We didn't get up there until 1pm). But I still think the photos are priceless! They help us see the violent winters up at the Zao Mountains!!

Yamagata, Japan
February 15, 2025

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The Zaō Mountains (蔵王山, Zaō Renpō), commonly called Mount Zaō, are a complex cluster of stratovolcanoes on the border between Yamagata and Miyagi in Japan. 

One striking feature of Zaō's famous ski resorts are the "frost-covered trees" (树冰) that appear in mid-winter. Strong wind over the nearby lake fling water droplets which freeze against the trees and their branches, until near-horizontal icicles begin to form. Falling snow settles on the ice formations, and the end result is a grotesque figure of a tree. The effect of a full forest of such trees gives visitors a ghostly impression. Zaō is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains.