Midwest Homecoming

It was nearly Sept of 2005 and everything that I owned had either been packed up or was in the trunk of my car. I was about to travel from what had been my home for the past 11 years to go west. I remember reading a lot of Steinbeck and wondering what the California experience was really all about.

I went downtown to take in the views. The melodrama in me told me that this was perhaps the last time I will ever set foot in this city - even though I knew it wasn't true. It does make for more intrigue.

I'll be heading back to the Midwest soon. For Maria, it will be her first time. We will hit St. Louis and then make our way up to Springfield, IL and then on to Chicago. I can't express how much I'm actually looking forward to this. In a way its like coming home.

2012 - Part the Third

 BAY TO BREAKERS 2012!

Every May in San Francisco they have the bay to breakers "race". For the those serious runners in the first tier it truly is a race and most finish the 7.2 mile run by the time those in the 2nd tier get to the starting point. For the rest of those who participate it is a moving Halloween. The costumes are elaborate - or in some cases are a lack of clothing completely - which unfortunately is usually reserved for those who should not really be naked in public in the first place. 

 Recently they have imposed guidelines to make the race "safer" by making it the rule not have have alcohol, no public urination, and no grand floats to plug up the race. I get the impression that most people just have decided not to follow these rules - VIVA LA SAN FRAN!

For those of you out there who worry about not being a runner - you don't need to worry, this race requires no experience - or training for that matter. Just an open mind and perhaps a empty canister to fill with something other than water.

This year we were actually able to find a place to park in the Marina and walk across the city to the starting point. Forget about hailing down a cab - most have been reserved the night before - which might be a tip for those of you from out of town. 

I think the part that I love most about this race - aside from the colorful outfits that people love to wear, the crazy attitudes and music that people play along the way, and the sense of fiesta - is the chance to realize how small S.F. really is and how much is packed into such a small area. The race is a tour of all the fantastic neighborhoods from SOMA to Cole Valley to the Haight and onward to the Panhandle and then the Sunset. For anyone who wants to know about S.F. or for those who are from S.F. and want to become more intimately associated with their city - this is the place to be. 

 Well with that said - I finally had a day off and got in a day of hiking. Even though I've lived in S.F. for 7 years (almost - come Sept 1st). I still find it amazing to find new things in my backyard. Here is pic from a hike along the Marin Headlands that goes near the crest of Tennessee Valley called the Miwok trail. The views in the setting sun are a sight that I think everyone needs to see. 

2012 Part the Second

TAHOE 2012

 Ok, had to post a few more pics. The one above is from Mt. Pluto in Tahoe. I've only stayed in the north rim of Lake Tahoe. The skiing up there is fantastic and as Maria is still new to the whole snow cold and skiing thing we usually end up staying at Northstar which has become my favorite thus far. If you get up in the morning and go to the top of Mt. Pluto (8617ft / 2626m) you can begin skiing on a ridge that heads towards the lake. In the mornings the lake is usually shrouded by a veil of fog that gradually dissipates as the day progresses. In my opinion it is one of the best views of Tahoe.

This time up there we managed to find a really good deal - if you go to the Ritz Carlton's website and go their "package deals" you can get a room on the weekdays with a 14 day advanced purchase that is only $50 more a night than staying in the village of Northstar below. If you factor in the fact that you can ski-in and ski-out from the hotel and that its amenities are incredible it helps justify the cost. Other than that - as I always recommend - bring your own supplies (i.e. snacks, water, etoh) as the hotel charges an arm and a leg for its own perks.

Wilderness Medicine CME - Kauai!

    A few weeks later, in April, we signed up for the Wilderness Medicine CME. If anyone out there is into any form of hiking or camping this is a must! The lectures are some of the best I've ever attended. The people giving the lectures have excellent insight and remarkable stories.

     The picture above is from The Waimea Canyon. It is the "Grand Canyon" of the Pacific. We got up early, packed up our food, and drove for an hour to get here. The path up the canyon ridge was pleasant and as we rounded the top to get to the tourist viewpoint we found the whole area completely covered in clouds. It obscured the view and left us staring at a cloud. Which of course made the whole effort completely ludicrous. So naturally I began laughing at it like an idiot and then ran around asking all the tourists what they thought of the view - which to me was funny. Here is the website, in case you are interested in knowing what it really looks like:

http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/regions-neighborhoods/west-side/waimea-canyon

     I think that one of the best parts of the trip, was having my friends along. Both Chase and Airi joined us for this one. We managed to get in some hiking and rented a car to go check out the Island. Heres a picture of the two in a cute upstairs restaurant that we ate at on our way to Princeville. Granted, we didn't exactly make it all the way up there. Along the way we got distracted at the northern light house. We pulled up along side a group of locals who were watching the sunset and decided to join them. Sometimes its not about the destination but the journey. 

     Later that trip Maria and I rented some everlights - think lawn chair attached to a lawn mower engine propeller attached to a hang glider - which is arguably one of the most dangerous things one can do (I'll post pictures later). Chase joined Airi for surfing where the board caught him off guard and he broke a rib or two. I have to hand it to the man, dispite that he walked away from this trip smiling. 

     The convention was at the Grand Hyatt - which is located on the southern portion of the Island along Poipou Beach. Its a nice enough location - but reminds me of Disneyland along with all the other resorts, not to mention that the prices around here are insane! I felt that the locals avoided this locale like the plague. 

     Next time, I think I'm going to rent a beach house on the northern end of the Island near Princeville. That area seems to have a great deal more of charm. Plus I can get a place where I can make my own meals. 

Here's a pic of me and the little one on a hike to the interior of the Island. The views are amazing and Kauai is now my favorite Island. That said, I think staying more than a week would have driving me crazy. Ok - now time to make some coffee and start my day

2012 - Part the First

Seems that 2012 has been a very busy time. We have had plenty of visitors and have been putting in a considerable time at work. Ok, a bit of laziness has also been a part of it as well. In either case, finally found a small bit of time (and motivation) to add to the blog. 

Maria found this on the Living Social website - its called Barkissimo. Its a boat in the bay that can be accessed from the Emeryville docks. The guy who owns it is a writer and artist and converted the boat into his home and then later into a bed and breakfast. We got there late in the evening and as we were wandering around the docks - I was thinking - where the hell have you taking me woman? But the stay was amazing. What's more, the guy who owns it is also a chef and the breakfast was beyond gourmet. Besides that it gave Maria and I a chance to just hang out and watch the water. We took a walk that night along the rest of the boats and the adjoining marina. The sense of calm was juxtaposed with the surrounding scenery of the bay and its cacophony of lights. 

http://www.barkissimo.com/

 

Then it was back to work for a while.

A few weeks later we took the back roads up into west marin. There is a small village called Nicasio - its about 8 or 9 miles south west of Novato. The town square is a baseball diamond flanked by a small church, an awesome little restaurant  - that plays some good music venues (nearly nightly), and a few houses.


From here you can take a variety of trails into the hills surrounding the quaint little hamlet. Down the road is an organic creamery that creates some of the best cheeses. We came on a rainy and cold day - but plan on returning. We are thinking - perhaps bring a few friends hike some trails and then hit that restaurant - by the way heres is the link:

http://www.ranchonicasio.com/

Of course getting back to the city is always a charm. I don't think I've posted a picture of Sri - here he is in all his glory at the ace wasabi restaurant in the Marina. It seems like we hit this place a bit too often. But Maria knows some one who knew someone from the old school days. Doesn't matter the derivation - we end up with off menu items from the chefs.

Alright. Enough for now, need to catch up with some emails and clean up the house - bye for now. And post comments people!