Lunch @ Starbelly
State Bird Provisions
Sitting at the chef's counter at State Bird Provisions.
Sketches from Amador County
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Last week I attended a wedding in Amador County—a region notable for its role in the
California Gold Rush and for its many vineyards and wineries.
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Sutter Creek—John Sutter's discovery of gold in January 1848 triggered the California Gold Rush.
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Susan's Place is a quaint restaurant/wine bar just off of Main Street in Sutter Creek. I had a yummy Sangiovese.
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Part of the fun is driving around to the many neighboring small towns.
The General Store in Volcano served up a delicious (and cheap!) burger.
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BLT from The Thomas
This BLT from The Thomas in Napa is one of the best I've had in a while. This thing is a monster, so you better come hungry!
Sketches from Maui and Lanai
The ABC store has everything. I usually get a bamboo beach mat. Cheap and easy to carry around.
The depiction of a distinguished Japanese gentlemen on the cash register assures that your Yen is acceptable here.
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I took a day cruise over to Lanai with Paragon Sailing Charters. Great trip and worth every penny. After an hour or so sail we arrived at Hulopoe Bay and snorkeled there for a while.
Then we headed in to Manele Bay, where after disembarking, I walked over to The Four Seasons and had a cocktail at the poolside bar. Very refreshing, whatever it was!
On the way back, some spinner dolphins accompanied us for a bit.
Napili Bay
Lunch at The Gazebo. I think this place is famous for their giant pancakes, but I had the very tasty tuna melt.
Pirate guy at The Gazebo.
Each morning at about 6:15 a bird would start chirping somewhere near my window. I wonder if it was this guy!
JJ's Pop-Up @ Mojo Bicycle Cafe
A weekly pop-up restaurant—the "J" and "J" being James Lalonde and John Ward. Tuesday nights at Mojo Bicycle Cafe
Delicious!
Some Coffees
Irish Coffee
Coffee "battle station"
Feliz Navidad @ Tacolicious
This is an invitation I made for the Tacolicious holiday party. I hope I get invited! I want tacos and guac and chips and margaritas!
Sketches from Yosemite
DAY ONE — We arrive at Curry Village and check in to our (hopefully) hantavirus-free tent.
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I sure hope they fumigated this place.
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We rode our bikes over to the Ahwahnee Hotel and had a beer there. I thought it was a beautiful hotel until I saw the elevators....
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Yikes! I've seen these elevators before. I think I'll take my chances with the hantavirus.
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DAY TWO — We begin the hike to Half Dome from Curry Village. The Vernal Fall appears after climbing many steps.
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Getting closer. Maybe an hour from the top at this point.
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About 800 more feet to go! Great hike. Took about 6 hours to get up there, and four to get back down. Pretty sore after that, so Day Three will be a day of rest.
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DAY THREE — In 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir made a special trip to Yosemite. I would like to think they also solved mysteries together, which might have been described in a compilation called The Curse of the Sequoia Grove and Other Short Stories, but that's just me.
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The tents in Curry Village are stacked right next to each other, so you're bound to hear every whisper or shoe that's dropped. This guy got mad at us for making too much noise before the quiet hours even started. We were probably two minutes from falling asleep, too.
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Our last night we all went down to the meadow and checked out the starry night sky. Great way to wrap up the trip!
Lolinda
A cool new Argentinian-inspired steakhouse in the Mission, occupying the former Medjool space. I've only had their appetizers and cocktails so far (delicious!) but hope to return for a proper dinner very soon—stay tuned!
Chicago Trip
Hanging out at Lark Creek Grill in Terminal 2 before my flight. Some guy with pointy toes on a laptop.
When life gives you lemons...
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Siting outside at the Athenian Room. Delish! Halsted and Webster
Cubs win!
My nephews Sean and Jeremiah.
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Nice view of the skyline from here and a great place for a hotdog and a beer.
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Heading back to SF after a great trip home!