SUP Surfing on Fanatic Allwave 9'3"

After learning to stand-up paddle (SUP)surf in Kauai over the summer, I was eager to try SUP surfing in Santa Cruz. However, the new stand-up paddleboards for surfing were extremely expensive. 

 After consulting with Oliver at Covewater Paddle Surf in Santa Cruz, I thought the best SUP model for me would be the Starboard Wedge 9'2" 160-liter model. However, it was priced at $1870 in Starline construction, more than I wanted to pay.

Since I couldn't test it (no demos were available), I consulted other shops, including Boardsports California and Cal Sup Outlet. 

Rebecca at Boardsports California recommended the Naish and the Fanatic boards. The new 2023 Fanatic Allwave 9'3" model costs $1699.

Gordie at Cal Sup Outlet had a few used boards in stock. He only sells the local Cruz brand (which has mixed Yelp reviews).

I was looking for a lightly used Fanatic, Naish, or Starboard SUP. After a few months of searching, I found a gentleman selling his 2021 Fanatic Allwave 9'3" for $750 on Craigslist (in Aptos).

The Fanatic was scratched up but watertight. I decided to purchase it, as it would last me 1-2 years before I was ready for a smaller board.

After purchasing the board, I took it out for a session at the Hook. I could stand up, but I was more wobbly than I remembered in Hawaii. There were few waves to catch, so I paddled around a bit and focused on improving my J-stroke. I will get better at it and will start surfing soon.

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Dinner at Plumed Horse

 For our 21st Anniversary Dinner, Inna made dinner reservations at our favorite Michelin-rated restaurant nearby - The Plumed Horse - in Saratoga.

After arriving at 8:30pm and parking nearby, we were seated outdoors, near propane heaters. We looked over the Chef's Tasting Menu and the A La Carte Menu and decided to order from both menus.

 

Chef's Tasting Menu for October 14, 2022

• Wild Albacore
• Black Pepper & Parmesan Souffle
• Monterey Abalone
• Alaskan Halibut
• California Roast Squab
• Flannery Farms Prime Striploin
• Thomcord Grape Sorbet
• Strawberry Mille-Feuille

 A La Carte Menu

• Black Pepper & Parmesan Souffle
• Roast Duck
• Truffle Potato
• Blackberry Clafoutis

 Drinks

• Newton's Law (Laird's Apple Brandy, Apple Puree)
• Electric Slide (Mezcal)

We started our dinner with sparkling water and cocktails. I ordered Newton's Law while Inna tried the Electric Slide.

Inna was served next with Wild Albacore Tuna. Then, both of us received the Black Pepper and parmesan Souffle. It's the best dish on the menu, though I liked the Blackberry Clafoutis dessert. The Roasted Duck was delicious, and Inna's Halibut was also quite tasty.

We were also given complimentary candies and two glasses of French champagne for our anniversary - a lovely touch!

We enjoyed our evening dinner and hope to return again.

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Review: Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road at Levi's Stadium

With COVID-19 finally over and Elton John nearing retirement, we decided to see his final concert in the San Francisco Bay Area in Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara.

Parking near Levi's required some creative effort. Every parking lot nearby was charging $60 just to park, and street parking was unavailable. However, we found an accessible location within 15 minutes of the stadium.

After getting close, we talked to one of the security guards, and she told Inna that her small purse was too large to allow in the stadium (so we returned to our car to drop it off).

We decided to eat dinner, but the nearby restaurant was only open to hotel guests. Thus, we ate a few items from the nearby food truck. I ordered a hot dog and a burger. They were edible but hardly delicious.

Elton John was one of the first rock musicians I heard growing up. In fact, I recall that "Your Song," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and "Crocodile Rock" were some of the first songs I heard played on my dad's record player.

I have seen two other Elton shows - the  Elton John's Made in England Tour in Tacoma Dome, Washington, on 9/9/1995 and the Million Dollar Piano at the Colosseum in Las Vegas on 10/13/2011.

Made in England is still my favorite rock concert, but I also liked the Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert.

The concert started out (on time)  at 8:00 pm with "Bennie and the Jets." Elton was in fine form, and the band backing him played well. Despite the horrible acoustics at SAP Center, Elton did not sound too bad.

My favorite songs from the concert were "Rocket Man," "Candle in the Wind," "Funeral for a Friend," "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," and, of course, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."

The special effects on the large screens in the basement were charming.

The following YouTube video has much better video quality:

Setlist

1. "Bennie and the Jets"
2. "All the Girls Love Alice"
3. "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues"
4. "Border Song" (Solo)
5. "Tiny Dancer"
6. "Philadelphia Freedom"
7. "Have Mercy on the Criminal"
   
8. "Rocket Man"
9. "Take Me to the Pilot"
10. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight"
11. "Levon"
12. "Candle in the Wind" (Solo)

Band Intro

13. "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding"
14. "Burn Down the Mission"
15. "Believe"
16. "Daniel"
17. "Sad Songs (Say So Much)"
18. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
19. "The Bitch Is Back"
20. "I'm Still Standing"
21. "Crocodile Rock"
22. "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"

Encore

23. "Your Song"
24. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

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