Substantial dinner after planning a trip to Italy next spring with my sister- and brother-in-law: pork ribs, pork belly, walleye, roast Brussels sprouts.
Category: Travel
Bridge to Platform
Biking with a friend, followed parts of a new light rail route, under construction. We stopped at a chain-link fence, trying to understand this elaborate structure connecting the road bridge overhead to the platform below. It looks like it’ll have stairs and elevators for pedestrians. The station is a short walk from Bde Maka Ska,…… Continue reading Bridge to Platform
Planning for the Inevitable
Bought snowbird flights for our winter getaway, cashing in a bunch of Delta e-credits that will expire soon. Come February, all these seats will be filled.
Planespotting
Woke up to a view of wet tarmac and San Francisco SFO’s International Terminal A. After a week of blue skies, rain was pelting down. Soon, the EVA Air (green tail on the left) flight will depart for Taipei, the China Eastern flight (on the right) for Shanghai, and we’ll be en route to Minneapolis/St.…… Continue reading Planespotting
Digital Travel Documents, Real-World Hike
Loaded a San Francisco Bay Area Clipper transit card and a Delta boarding pass for a flight tomorrow onto my watch. We’ll hike from inn to inn in Marin County, ending up next Friday in downtown San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge. The watch is a fun addition, its main advantage over my phone…… Continue reading Digital Travel Documents, Real-World Hike
(Not Quite) Minimal Backpacking
Soon we’ll be hiking inn-to-inn in California. We’ll stay 3 nights in a fake British pub with no tea kettle in our room. Confirmed this minimal (8 ounces) setup reaches the ideal temperature range for coffee (195-205°F). The kit includes Japanese-style filters, a trusty aluminum mug from my teenage years, and two slightly younger plastic cups (about 36 years old).
Applying a Large Language Model to Travel
Published a Blog post about how I’ve been using a Large Language Model (AI) when thinking about travel.
Applying a Large Language Model to Travel
These days, navigating a massive Japanese train station with its multi-level tracks feels less like studying a map and more like following a personal guide. Google Maps provides step-by-step instructions, delivered straight to my wristwatch. A gentle vibration tells me when to turn, making the journey to the exit for my hotel less stressful. This…… Continue reading Applying a Large Language Model to Travel
Excess Baggage
It was time to empty my backpack. Some things I never used in Japan include: a spork (accidentally brought two), a SIM remover (I used an eSIM), work gloves (for clambering over volcanic rocks), and various health and repair items (duct tape included). The mental unpacking, however, will take much longer.
Final Stop, Yokohama
Monday. Travelled by bullet train from Kanazawa to Tokyo, then transferred to a local train for Yokohama (part of Greater Tokyo), my final stop on this trip. On Wednesday it will be a 20-minute ride on the Keikyu Line to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport international terminal.