October 30, 2004 - Wild Boars
	I like to walk up the creeks from Kobe city into the mountains. Sometimes if you are lucky there will be a trail alongside the creek that disappears into the forest where the streets peter out. I'm always reminded of Shel Silverstien's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (my heart speeds up at the thought of it). Walking up the creeks is a progression from the urban environment into nature. In the city the creeks are generally steep rock and concrete channels that cut a straight path to the ocean, as you get higher they start to meander a bit, and eventually turn into wild channels hidden in deep valleys curtailed by an occasional damn. Today I took a trip three stops down the JR rail line to Settsu-Motoyama station and a creek that I hadn't visited yet (I can't read the name of it). I liked the feel of the Settsu-Motoyama neighborhood quite a lot. I was there during rush hour and it was full of people but not bustling. It was as if everyone was content and relaxed as they went on their way. Complementing the people were narrow crooked streets paved with worn granite slabs and lined with interesting shops and attractive gateways (like the one in the top photo). Not far from the station I passed a parking garage - two levels of bike parking complete with driveway.
	As I was nearing the forest my walk was halted by a wild-sounding squeal. I turned around and saw nothing. A few steps further and I heard it again. This time I caught sight of some wild boars in the creek below me. We had been warned about them earlier and for some reason I had assumed that they would be pint sized piglets with hair. They were huge! I watched them for a bit thinking, "This is incredible!" The locals passed with disinterest and gave the beasts no more than a glance. I passed the sign to the left a little later on. I wonder what it says.

October 30, 2004 - Temple

Just after my visit with the wild boars I came upon a temple situated on the border between the city and the woods. I decided to forgo further exploration and sit down for a sketch. I forgot my pencil so went ahead with a pen instead - no correcting errors. I had to draw quick as darkness was approaching fast. (The pen drawing scanned quite well - my earlier pencil sketches lost a lot of detail while passing through my crappy scanner. For that reason I think I may sketch in pen from here on out.)

October 30, 2004 - Temple Grounds
	After it became too dark to draw I snapped a few pictures of temple grounds before making haste for the station.

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