Akanko Lake, Mashuko Lake and Iwoyama

　　I parked my scooter on the lakeshore of Akanko Lake, which is well known as the lake of "Marimo", the spherical moss. Marimo is designated as a natural monument and is now found only in a small area of the lake. I wanted to see it and headed for the small islet in the lake, on which you can see it in its natural status. The weather wasn't clear, but I was able to view two representative mountains of the area, Mt. Oakandake and Mt. Meakandake from the surface of the lake.
　　Though the sky didn't become clear, I enjoyed riding along the road which was fairly clear in the sparsely populated area. I thought that the police wouldn't set up a speed trap on such a cloudy day. I love such idyllic scenery.
　　I stopped at Mashuko Lake next. As you see in the picture, I was wearing my raincoat all day except a short time on the sightseeing boat on Akanko Lake. It's an extraordinary climate to continue raining for a few days in this season of the year.
　　About 4 o'clock, we reached today's destination, Kawayu Onsen Spa and dropped in at Mt. Iwoyama, which was actively belching sulphur and vapor. You wouldn't put up with standing even for only ten seconds on the leeward side of the opening of the ground. I felt the activeness of the earth.

(Vocabulary)
be designated as a natural monument 天然記念物に指定される
set up a speed trap（警察などが）ネズミ捕りを行う
idyllic 牧歌的な, のどかで幸福な
belch sth out 〈煙・炎など〉を吹き出す
on the leeward side of ～の風下側に
in/under the lee of sth  ＜…＞の陰に, 風下に