Wisetrips Travel Blog

Friday, July 31, 2020 It was finally time for our small mini-vacation to Pismo Beach for surfing and relaxation. Inna and I woke up at 07:30 and loaded the Toyota Sienna minivan with our surfboards, wetsuits, and beach toys. After a delicious breakfast (Inna made some crepes with caviar), we embarked on the 3-hour drive to Pismo Beach. The drive was uneventful. At about 13:00, we stopped for lunch at Ventana Grill - …

It was that time of the year - Alex's 18th Birthday! I can't believe he is already that old. With Covid-19 still raging, we could not invite any of Alex's friends to celebrate this significant milestone. For presents, we decided to surprise Alex with the following: Apple Watch Series 3 (so he could monitor his heart rate during exercise) Dyson Pure Cool Link , Air Purif…

With waves in Santa Cruz non-existent, I took Alex for miniature golf at Emerald Hills Golfland  in San Jose. Alex would have preferred to surf in Capitola instead. I teed off first, followed by Alex. By luck or skill, I gained an early lead. I sunk the ball in two strokes on the first hole while Alex took five. Here is a video from my C…

With Andy Brandt's ABK Clinic canceled due to COVID-19, I took some time off work to enjoy the best season winds at Sherman Island. July is usually the most consistent time for strong winds. Sunday, July 26, 2020 My week of windsurfing began on Sunday, July 26. After waking up at 05:45, I drove early to Sherman Island, arriving at the Sherman Island County Park at 07:30. I…

Waddell Beach (aka Creek) is one of the premier windsurfing spots in the San Francisco Bay area. With strong winds in the summer months and large waves in the fall & spring, it's a famous location where competitions are frequently held. I haven't windsurfed at Waddell for a long time. It's a difficult place to sail due to a powerful beach break and crowded conditions. I decided to try windsurfing …

In anticipation of a windy day at Sherman Island, I prepacked my minivan with Windsurfing gear, including my Goya 84-liter Quad Custom Pro and 2018 Fanatic 105-liter Freewave STB. I woke up at 5:40 and checked the wind forecast at Sherman Island. According to  iWindsurf , the wind was already 26 knots! With the ebbing tide running until noon, my best shot would be to drive there ASAP. After a drink of water, I packed my …

With July 4, Independence Day (a 4-day weekend) rapidly approaching, Inna and I were considering various travel options. We really wanted to get away from San Jose, but the increased incidence of COVID-19 made planning for a getaway difficult. Considering various alternatives, including Mendocino, Lake Tahoe, Bear Valley, and Morro Bay, we decided on Morro Bay. Having never visited Morro Bay, we liked exploring new locations, …