We started our adventure in a parking area with picnic tables and bathrooms. Japan takes great care of their parks and they are always very clean and well maintained. The trail started off as a paved road under a lush green canopy of Okinawan jungle.
The kids, a group of around 20 took off ahead of us, the wild calling to them. I strolled, taking in the beauty. Soon we veered off the paved trail, headed down a little bank and into a river. We walked up the river, over and around boulders and miniature falls. Sometimes, when the river was more difficult, the path took us along the banks. We clung to vines and strategically placed ropes as we made our way deeper into the mystical and magical jungle.
We came around a bend in the river and the sun pushed through a break in the canopy directly over the most gorgeous waterfall and swimming hole. The air was filled with mist and the cries of joy as the kids took turns swinging out over the water on a tattered, old rope swing. The scene was as beautiful as you might imagine.
Spencer and I ventured out to the falls and, clinging to the slick rocks, made our way behind. The noise was deafening but it was such a cool experience to dive forward, through the falls, into the swimming hole beyond.He swung off of the rope swing, jumped off of 20 foot cliffs, played football, painted himself in war paint and got covered in bruises. It was the best day and we can hardly wait to take Emma and Ben.
