写真は先週日曜日に遠出して「朝散歩」していた赤井川村の「赤井川」。この河川名はアイヌ語で「フレ・ペツ」（赤い川）を意味するということ。たしかに川底が赤いかなぁ。赤井川村は四方を山に囲まれたカルデラ盆地に位置しているので、盆地特有の気候から北海道でも有数の豪雪地帯とされています。
　わたしたち夫婦はニセコ・羊蹄山地域によく行楽に出掛けるのですが、その最短ルートとして小樽市朝里のICから「毛無峠」を縦断して赤井川に抜け、そこから最短距離で倶知安方面に向かうコースが多い。なので、こちらの村の「道の駅」で山菜類やキノコなどを買い求めることが多い。きのう紹介した漬物メロンもこちらで購入したモノ。
　この赤井川にはパークゴルフのコースがこの河川に沿って造営されている。そのコースの河川側に分け入っていくとこういう景観地域が展開していて、散歩道としては森林浴的に楽しめる。・・・なんですが、時折ヒグマの出没が報告される場所でもあるので、恐る恐る歩くことになる・・・。
　なんですが、さすがに日が高くなってくると河川では釣り人の歓声も沸き上がっていて、まぁ安全に自然とふれあうことができていました。仕事関係の整理も済んできて、個人的には一段落といったところですが、あれこれとまた新しいチャレンジもはじめようと考えている時期。どうしてもそういう新規開拓型の行動が好きなようで、まぁ世間にご迷惑にならず、またカミさんにも心配させない範囲で（笑）、たのしくチャレンジしたいと思って、いろいろな「参考文献」とにらめっこ。
　そういう、こころと眼精の疲労感には、こういう自然の癒しがいちばんのようです。

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English version⬇

[Summer in the north surrounded by greenery and the sound of streams]
The serenity of nature that soothes the fatigue from the challenge that rises up. The reassuring sound of mountain stream fishermen’s voices will make you forget your fear of brown bears. Summer in the north is in full swing. …

　The photo shows the Akaigawa River in Akaigawa Village, where I went for a long-distance “morning walk” last Sunday. The name of this river means “Hure Petsu” (red river) in Ainu language. It is true that the bottom of the river is red. Akaigawa Village is located in a caldera basin surrounded by mountains on all sides, and is considered one of the snowiest areas in Hokkaido due to the basin’s unique climate.
　My wife and I often go on excursions to the Niseko and Mt. Yotei areas, and often take the shortest route from the Asari IC in Otaru City, traversing the “Kenashi Pass” to Akaigawa, and then heading toward Kutchan in the shortest distance. Therefore, I often buy wild vegetables and mushrooms at “Michi-no-Eki” (roadside station) in this village. The pickled melons I mentioned yesterday were also purchased here.
　There is a park golf course along the Akaigawa River. When you enter the river side of the course, you will find a scenic area like this, where you can enjoy forest bathing as a walking path. However, as brown bears are sometimes reported to appear in the area, we had to walk with trepidation.
　But as expected, when the sun was high in the sky, anglers were cheering in the river, and I was able to commune with nature in safety. I have finished sorting out my work-related matters and am personally at peace, but I am also thinking about taking on new challenges. I am staring at various “reference books” because I like such new exploratory activities, and I want to enjoy taking on new challenges without bothering the world or worrying my wife (laugh).
　I have been staring at various “reference books,” and this kind of natural healing seems to be the best for such fatigue of the mind and eyes.

Notice
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Posted on 7月 1st, 2025 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 日本社会・文化研究