Scooting for sanity

When the pressure of everyday life gets too much, Naomi and I like to flee our familiar surroundings with a getaway drive on my 125cc scooter. It's liberating to drive wearing only a T-shirt and shorts, and with the wind in your face. When it's my turn to pick the destination, I prefer drives that take us to the ocean. Seaside motorvating offers soothing views of the sea and invigorating aromas.

This time our destination was the bottom part of the Miura Peninsula not far from our digs in Yokohama. We kicked off our adventure early in the morning, taking advantage of less traffic on the roads. Scooters are prohibited from using toll highways, so regular roads were our only choice. I set course southward through the cityscape. We made a pitstop near Oppama to refuel ourselves with a cup of coffee. Energized and ready to continue, we tooled along the coastal highway, with the occasional palm tree and pleasing views of Tokyo Bay.

Our plan to have lunch at a favorite hotel in Kannonzaki was foiled by renovations. That didn't dampen our spirits. Instead, we explored the nearby Kannonzaki Park. It's a former WWII-era naval fortress transformed into a park lined with pleasant green spaces and neatly maintained walking trails. The exercise did wonders for our sore behinds.

With appetites calling, we hopped back on the scooter and found a seaside café on Rt. 134. It was the perfect spot to savor both the flavors and the coastal semi-cheesy charm.

Continuing our mini adventure, we navigated the narrow roads on the lower part of the Miura Peninsula, passing by numerous vegetable farms. Driving the scooter in these bucolic surroundings was pure joy, with the salty air and refreshing breeze best savored at lower speeds.

Arriving at Jogashima, the southernmost point of the peninsula, we indulged in a leisurely stroll around the park, and couldn't resist venturing down to the rocky coastline. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore supplied a calming backdrop, allowing us to further relax and forget about weekday worries. With the Rising Daughters™ busy doing their own thing, it was nice downtime apart from the kids.

Reluctantly, we accepted it was time to embark on the 50 km journey back. As we zoomed along the roads homeward, I was happy thanks to the joy of sheer motion, and the time spent not thinking too much. Day trips like these are a reminder of how energizing it is to escape our regular lives for a few hours, without a schedule or even a real purpose except to wander around and share the experience with the ones we love.