Microblog

We did a simple loop hike, ending up back at our inn. After a breakfast that included a tasty banger, headed down the coast towards the entrance to San Francisco Bay. In the distance a foghorn announced that visibility was limited.

Our bedchamber for the next three nights: note the step stool. Downstairs they serve great local microbrews along with classic British pub fare.

Hiked down into Muir Woods and then climbed out the other side of the valley, passing under the giant redwoods. (Yep, that’s me.) Back up top, we had wonderful views of the bay and the Pacific Ocean as we walked across meadows dotted with wildflowers to our home for the next three nights, a replica… Continue reading Redwoods and Meadows

Today we reacquainted ourselves with the massive redwoods of Muir Woods. Tonight we’re staying in a comfortable inn at the highest point on our multi-day hike with distant views of San Francisco Bay.

Tonight, our home is Sausalito, Marin County, CA. Here, a eucalyptus tree with plenty of stories to tell frames a distant view of downtown San Francisco, across the bay. Tomorrow, huge redwoods await us.

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

On Thursdays we compare notes about our day at our local, Maxwell’s. This photo from Dwight’s day at the university greenhouse caught my eye with its unusual bulbous tuberous stem that looks like it should be covered in polite company. Apparently it’s Sinningia helleri (gloxinia) from South America, which leaves me none the wiser.

We’re slowly making our way through Shogun (2024). Tonight we watched episode 7 (of 10) with Dwight fast-forwarding through the commercials. I appreciate the show’s high production values, how it sheds light on events leading to Japan’s Edo period (in fictionalized form), and how it resists the white savior trope.

After a cuppa at Wise Owl Cafe in the University’s Walter Science and Engineering Library, discovered The Toaster, a room filled with freely available maker gear, including 3D printers, Cricuts and LEGO. Resisted the temptation then walked to the School of Architecture where students were presenting their portfolios displayed on large panels. It was then… Continue reading The Space Between

The opening of Sea Salt at Minnehaha Park for the season motivated me to cycle a loop that included Hiawatha LRT Trail, Midtown Greenway, Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha Creek, Minnehaha Park, and West River Parkway. The cooked-to-order fish tacos were undiminished and a bargain at $8.

Across the river from our home there’s an eagle’s nest. It was empty last year but on our walk this morning we spotted an eagle’s head peeking out. Sometimes one of the eagles swoops right past our apartment at eye level.

Walked as far as I could across Stone Arch Bridge to see what was going on with the restoration. What I saw was quite low-tech: wide frames on wheels on the bridge deck supported and counterbalanced platforms that raise and lower, much like the system used by window cleaners on tall buildings. Below, a pontoon… Continue reading Simple Rigs on Stone Arch Bridge

The odd snowflake was flying around in the wind and gathering in crevices when a friend and I entered the warmth of a new coffee shop for flaky pastries, bottomless coffee mugs, and good conversation.

Thursdays are for volunteering: him in a university greenhouse, me with adult learners. Later we have just enough energy to walk a couple blocks to our local bar for dinner and to compare notes about our day. Last week, I learned about a smelly flowering Corpse Plant; today, Lithops (Stone Plants) which are getting ready for spring when, presumably, they’ll flower.

I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find it. I searched twice: inside the duvet cover, under the bed sheet, in all the pillowcases, under the bed, and inside the washer and dryer. Then, Dwight, in a stroke of brilliance, climbed on a step stool and fished out the missing pillowcase from the “The Land of Unpaired Socks” behind the dryer.

Posted Temple Plumbing 2024 about four temples on the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage I visited this year.