Wild Snow Monkeys and Matsumoto Castle...

Ian and the boys left at 4 am, Saturday for their trip to see the Wild Snow Monkeys, and tour the Matsumoto Castle. The bus ride was well worth it.   On long trips (lasting more the 4 hours one way) Ian and I take turns.  More then 3 or 4 hours each way is just way to much for Peyton.  Ian took most of the pictures, Christopher did get to take a few.  They are both much better photographers then I.  
They arrived at their first stop and had to walk about 40 minutes to get to the Snow Monkeys.  The tour guides explained to the kids that the monkeys are wild and have free run of the park.  They were told not to look the monkeys in the eyes, not to make sudden moves, and stay calm.  Both the boys loved it.  Neither one was afraid of the monkeys.  I think had I gone I would have been afraid.  
This is part of the trail they walk on to arrive at the monkey park.  
Ian took this picture, it is a natural sulfur hole on the way to the park. 
There were monkeys all over.  Noah said "mommy, they were everywhere".  
At the park. 
The boys were just watching the monkeys at first.  Getting warmed up to them. 
Ian said these monkeys were funny.  The one monkey seemed hot.. 
I love this picture.  
A bunch of monkeys eating and hanging out. 
Christopher took this picture.  Ian said he sat down right next to this monkey.  The monkey didn't seem to pay any attention to Christopher.  Christopher said he just sat down slowly and took a few pictures.  
Another one that Christopher took while siting next to him.  I asked Christopher if he was afraid.  He rolled his eyes and said NO, mom... 
This little guy came to check out the crowds.  
Christopher was down under the bridge.  
Checking each other out.  
Ian said this pair of monkeys were sitting a few feet away.  He asked Noah to sit down so he could take a picture of Noah with the mountains in the background.  
Right after Noah sat down this monkey came to check him out.  This is one of my favorite pictures.  
Right before they left the monkey park.  

After the monkey park they were able to stop and have lunch.  Their next stop was Matsumoto Castle.  The boys and Ian enjoyed this as much as the monkeys.  
The boys right before the bridge cross over.  

See what I mean.  Ian is SO much better at photography then I am.  We have one more trip in March and 5 in April.  Ian will be on all but one.  I will have him take most of the pictures.  This is entering the castle.  
Christopher and Noah sat with me telling me about each picture.  Christopher explained these guns are part of a collection that was donated by 1 person.  There are many in the collection.  
This is a back view of the bridge they crossed over to get to the castle  
This is a model of the Castle and mote.  

The sign under the model. 
Christopher said this was an old fire wagon.  
All of the pictures Ian took turned out so good.  
A distant picture of the Castle. 
Ian was trying to capture the first blooms of the Cherry Blossoms...  

They all had a wonderful time and I am so happy they were able to go.  With Ian deploying soon it is important that he and the  boys spend some time together.