Enoshima

I arrive in Enoshima. Wow, that was fast; I am lightning-fast. No, Gabriel, it is called adrenaline.

It was a sunny day with no wind or clouds, no showdowns in the diagonal, and the sun above me, and I was sweating like a pig. The only shade right is below the cars. It was noon, the sun was up, and the humidity had cleared up.

I set my GPS direction to the beach, Enoshima. Somehow I always end up on some beach. If you go far enough in any land, that’s as far you can go. No brainer there.

When I arrive at the beach, I carry the bike downstairs and follow it with the trailer. The campsite was chosen, so I began to set up my tent. I built the tent, and then a couple of friends who came to the departure arrived to check on me.

Finally, I took my shoes off, and the sand passed between my toes. What a relief!

The first night at the beach was not so good. After three years of preparing for this project, I was tired, and finally, here I am. I need to sleep 24 hours non-stop.

Of course, that is not going to happen. (Recommendation: Don’t camp on a beach near populated areas. You will not sleep.) I was worried about the gear all night.

I napped through the night voices. After one or maybe 2 hours of sleep, I decided to get out of the tent before sunrise, pack, and make a coffee.

September 6, 2014. Around 6:30 am, a man, who I call “Enoshima man,” comes down the stairs to the beach for his early walk. The ocean is still far out. He looks like he is coming out of a book about Key West or Miami Beach in the golden time. Enoshima man was carrying himself so proudly and elegantly; I can almost imagine him in black and white.

Immediately, I took the Mamiya 645 camera with 120-speed film, which was present from a friend who passed away, and ran after Enoshima. I asked for a photo of him. I shot some, but I had no idea if I captured him until a month later when I had a chance to have the film developed. I wish I knew more about this man.