Well this about sums up the long weekend. It was a beautiful three days filled with blue sky, great food and drink, great people and a fantastic ride. On Thursday night, I was invited to Charle's place for a special dinner. Charle's dinners are always so good, so I knew I was in for a treat. We had a great dinner with some fine wine and spent the next morning chilling and then hitting an onsen.

On Friday afternoon, I then headed out to Hakuba for another dinner. This time it was for Yanik's Sayonara party. A bunch of us gathered at Hiro and Nick's pension the Powder House in Hakuba for a great evening. Yanik made a delicious persimmon sauced salmon with bok choi that stunned us all. Thanks Yanik! We wish you well on your journey and you will be missed! It was another superb evening.

Saturday morning, it was a little slow, but we all headed off for a nice walk. The day was warm and the sun shining. Was great to get some fresh air. I had some business in the afternoon and then was headed back to Matsumoto. Since Kouji was away at a junior high reunion party, I decided to head to my good friend Kelton's for another great evening.

Kelton made one of his famous non recipe dinners, that tasted so good. We relaxed by the fire, and I got to take a bath in his new jacuzzi and then we watched a Joni Mitchell DVD. Joni you rock babe!!!

Sunday, since it was another blue sky day, I wanted to ride. So since I had just met Marie, a fellow Canadian rider from Canmore, at Yanik's party, I called her up and we decided to hit the mountains. We had a fabulous climb with killer views and a great long downhill. Thanks Marie, it was a sweet ride!!!

What can I say, I have great friends, and am very grateful for this weekend. Kind of goes along the lines since it was Thanksgiving weekend in the States..... thanks again to all and hope you had a great weekend yourselves!!! VIEW ALL PICTURES HERE!