Enjoy a "Do-Nothing Vacation"

A do-nothing vacation sounds great for people who have a hustle and bustle daily life like young mothers and fathers. They seem overwhelmed by their busy schedule. Nuclear family life style makes them shoulder more burden to pursue their careers as well as to be a good parent. They really need that kind of vacation. Mindfulness, niksen, and Zen meditation are also good for them to relax and refresh. Doing nothing a whole day, gazing at the stars or horizon, listening to the waves. These experiences should bring them back to themselves. However, for retired people like me, it is a somewhat different story. Right now, I have retired and work only two days a week for my pleasure. I do not feel I need those kinds of treatments. I rather prefer doing something I love to doing nothing. For example, walking in the mountains, crunching through fallen leaves in this season, and looking at a magnificent Mr. Fuji from the top of a mountain are the perfect remedies for my mental health, though my body gets a little bit tired. I think it is safe to say that how to relax or how to feel happy depends on our situation. When I was younger and a full-time worker, I needed a do-nothing vacation, though one day was enough. A whole week of do-nothing vacation was too long to me. Now, I would like to do something meaningful every day. Life is changing, so are vacations.

明神峠から鉄砲木の頭、高指山へ

秋晴れの気持ちの良い一日、落ち葉を踏みしめて静かな山歩きをしたいと思い立ち、明神峠--三国山--鉄砲木の頭--高指山と歩いてきました。

軽くハイキングと思って出発したのですが、三国山までなかなかの急登。それでも、そここそに残る紅葉に癒されながら一人静かに山歩き。聞こえてくるのは自分が踏みしめる落ち葉の音だけ。サクサク、サクサク。

三国山を経て三国峠に降り立つや、にわかに人の数が増す。それもそのはず、駐車場がある。その駐車場から鉄砲木の頭までもなかなかの登り。でも、綺麗な道なので、軽装、スニーカーで登ってくる人もいる。

登り切ってビックリの大展望！　山中湖から富士山まで壮大な眺め。インバウンドの旅行客も多く、皆それぞれに雄大な景色を堪能している。

お昼ご飯を食べていたら、今まで隠れていた富士山が姿を現す。周りの人たちも、ほら、富士山だ！と色めき立つ。なかなか初雪の便りがなかったが、やっぱり冠雪した富士山はいい！

鉄砲木の頭から先は、ほとんど行きかう人もおらず、本当に静かで幸せな時間を過ごした。下山後は石割の湯で汗を流し、山旅を締めくくった。少し天候を心配したが思い切って出発してよかった。山々はもうすぐ冬支度かな。