I vote no.

This past weekend we went to the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival. Its a festival to see the famous Japanese Cherry Blossoms. Japanese people pick a fortune and tie it to a branch of the tree. I don't know if its always been a tradition, but afterwards everyone took a picture of their fortune on the tree. We didn't do it. I didn't see the fortune bucket to pick from anywhere and I couldn't ask anyone about it. So, we passed on this part of the journey. I suppose it was a good thing, it meant we left a little sooner. The trees were pretty, but I don't think it was worth the adventure that ensued.

600 steps to the top. 2 familes. Two 1 year olds and 2 strollers. We were on our way to the top.

On our way up we saw the photographer that did Colton and Levi's 1 year pictures. The photographer's wife was pregnant and she said there was an easier way than taking the stairs. Just take this road around and you'll end up at the top. There's a really cool park up there, she said. Sweet! Onto the paved road we go! We found a map and decided we were looking for letter "D." It looked like it was at the top of the mountain. We walked... and walked... and found this along the way.

We continued walking. We see signs for "A" "F" "E," but not "D." It starts misting. Its not bad. The forecast did say there was an 80% chance of rain, so we were expecting a little rain. It was supposed to be light and spotty rain. We continued walking. The rain is the reason there is no more photos. We didn't want to get the camera all wet. We finally got to the end of the road. It was  "D." It was a parking lot and a croquette course. We decided to go back down. We get to point where the road forks. There is some confusion about which way we came from and which way we should go. I said we should go a certain way, but the men believed we should go a different way. Of course, we followed the men. We get to about the half way mark and find another map. It is still misting at this point. We are sitting down and looking at the map trying to decide whether to continue onward and upward or to just call it a day and head down to get some food from the street vendors. This is where we discovered that I was correct about the directions earlier when we decided to go with the mens' navigation instead of my own. HA HA!!! I thought we should get street food and call it a day. Let the boys run around a little. I tried to persuade Taylor's vote to a no, but she was not going to pick a side. Colton and I were the only "nos." So, onward we went. We crossed a bridge, saw the "really cool park" that was aforementioned and continued on our way. We could see "D" from the bridge. Way up on a hill there was a large grouping of trees in full bloom. It started down pouring! I mean, seriously down pouring. Cold, big drops of rain. I know its nothing compared to the cold, snow and wind chill that my family and friends are dealing with, but at least you're dressed for the occasion. I was wearing sandals. Walking down hills. It was not fun. The men were running around with the boys in the strollers. Jason was trying to find "D" and Ben was trying to find a better tree to wait it out under. Taylor and I and the boys were just standing in the rain getting soaked to the bone. It was decided that there were no better trees and the rain was not letting up. The men made a break for it with the boys. The babies were loving the crazy ride by the way. Both were squealing and giggling the entire time.

Taylor and I were walking behind, getting soaked. At one point I asked her, "Why didn't you just vote no?!" She said she thought there was more festival at the top! No, silly girl! There is only trees at the top! No wonder there is no one else coming this way. We got back to the car, got the boys changed and dried out. We ate some curry to warm our souls and headed home. If anyone asks me again if I want to hike up a steep mountain with a stroller in the pouring rain, I'll just tell them Colton and I are gonna sit this one out.