Biking Shodoshima Island

There are a couple of things in this opening picture that are important and, no, I don’t mean the beer!

First, there is Smokey the Bear who has been my travelling companion these many days. Remember, only you can prevent forest fires!

Second, is the electric bike I rented. Basically, it got me where I wanted to go but the squeaky brakes and half-hearted power boost needed to get up Shodoshima’s hills didn’t serve quite as effectively as I had wished.

Third, and most important, there is the small olive tree and rosemary in the foreground. These are representative of the quasi-Mediterranean feel of the island, in spite of the threatening sky and the coolness of the day. Perhaps Autumn is beginning to come to Japan!

This was a day when I didn’t know quite what to do. Since I had enjoyed the ferry ride two days ago I thought I might as well do it again.

Shodoshima is not the draw of a couple of the other islands in the neighborhood, but I was sure there was a bike rental place and a nice island atmosphere. Both proved to be true.

My maps, both paper and Google, were not up to the task, so I rode off in a direction that seemed promising. I saw no museums, galleries, castles, or any other of the usual suspects. I did, however, see the sunlight through the cloud cover playing on the surface of the sea. That sight never tires. But, since my maps failed me, and not knowing quite where I was, as usual, I began trying to figure out when to turn back in order to return the bike and make it to the ferry terminal in time for my return sea voyage.

Finally, signage pointed down a lane towards the shore so I chanced it. There I found a great little place across from the beach, nicely named, “Today is the Day.”

Sitting there, I thought how good it is when chance leads to a peaceful respite from the difficulties of the journey. It does not always happen so, but when it does it makes the effort worth the while and I forget what I might have done or what I missed along the way. For a time, I felt myself and my moment coalesce into some sublimity.