A Drive up the Sazanami Skyline on Mount Noro An autumn snack and island views at the end of the mountain road

With a melon pan I'd picked up in Kure, I headed to Mount Noro with my friend. As we climbed the Sazanami Skyline, I kept my eyes on the road and my hands on the wheel, steering through each curve as it came. Every so often, my friend in the passenger seat would spot the sea and tell me, "We're higher up than before."

I straightened the fleece vest over my knit sweater as I got out of the car. It was mid-November. As I walked over to Kabuto-iwa Lookout, the port town came into view beyond the wooden railing, with islands layered all the way out to sea.

I’d been looking for the town below, but my gaze drifted from the nearest island to the ones farther out. It felt as if the road that had brought me up from the coast had led straight into this view. My friend didn't take a photo straightaway either; she stood by the railing and looked out in the same direction.

I held the melon pan in both hands and took a bite. Once I'd swallowed, I looked back toward the islands. A little earlier, I'd been absorbed in driving the mountain road; now I was alternating between my snack and the view.

I asked my friend to include the autumn trees in the foreground, too. A photo focused on the islands would be lovely, but today I wanted one that included me taking a break in front of the wooden railing. Looking at the photo of me still holding the bread, I thought I'd remember just how long I'd lingered over that break.

After I finished eating, I picked a song for the drive back. I'd enjoyed the mountain road on the way up; before heading down, I stopped to take in the sea. I was glad I'd gotten to enjoy both on this trip to Mount Noro. I traced the view one last time, from the port town below to the islands offshore, then returned to the car.