Katie's birthday celebration

We celebrated Katie's birthday by going bob-sledding and go-karting at a mountain park in Yuzawa.

(L-R): Kumi, Katie and Kate in the ropeway going up the mountain. Yes, we made Katie wear that hat all over the place. An obasan actually came up to her and asked what festival she was going to.

All of us did bob-sledding (which was basically a luge ride). It was fun, and very scenic.

Pond in the nice park where the luge ride ends

Next, we went go-karting. It was more like kiddy bumper cars than go-karts. I didn't go on this one. Don't think it was worth the money.

Katie cooling off in a fountain

Some more people turned up and we had Mexican food (tacos) for dinner at Kate's place. Here's a triple-layer chocolate mousse cake that Kate made...yummy!

And we went to a reggae bar after dinner. That's about as much nightlife as you can get in the countryside!

Katie all dressed up and decked out in the birthday accessories we prepared for her before going to the bar.