Yesterday was a delightful, comfortable drive with Ai-chan (electric car).
Crossing the Edogawa river, we enter Chiba prefecture. Passing through Nagareyama and Kashiwa, Ai-chan continued her journey.
Traveling further north on the Joban Expressway, we cross the Tone River. Once across this river, we enter Ibaraki prefecture.
For a moment, I catch a glimpse of the majestic flow of the Tone River below. (Since I'm driving, I can't savor the grand scenery for too
long.) In the distance, the form of Mount Tsukuba is faintly visible.
In the sky, huge white cumulonimbus clouds of summer are slowly drifting by. It's quintessential summer. How big and white these
clouds are! Did such large clouds exist in the urban sky? Such thoughts cross my mind.
For such a comfortable drive, ABBA's music is a perfect fit. (Since I choose songs starting with the letter A, it turns out this way.)
By the time I listen to Cannonball Adderley's "Corcovado," I arrive at my destination.
On the way back, the setting sun hits directly from the right side. Even with sunglasses, visibility is poor at this time. While charging
Ai-chan at the Chiyoda parking area, the surrounding circumstances dramatically change.
The Joban Expressway is beautifully equipped and not crowded, making it easy to drive. However, with fewer buildings around and
expansive rural areas, it gets dim after sunset. As I drive, the surroundings become completely dark. Driving on a dark highway requires
caution.
Listening to calm songs like Jim Hall's "Concierto de Aranjuez" and Bill Evans' "Body and Soul," I drive carefully.
When I reach Misato on the Joban Expressway, the scenery changes again.
Now, just a little more to my home...