A digital travel diary. · WP v1.08 · Updated
I replaced my old Reverse Osmosis system with a WaterDrop X8 about 6 months ago, and the WaterDrop X8 signaled (with a blinking light and audio) that the F2 Filter needed to be replaced (normally every 6 months). . I chose the WaterDrop X8 system specifically for the ease of filter replacement, which was a major pain with my older RO system. When I received…
Read More: Fixing WaterDrop X8 Filter
My friends and I decided to bike the long stretch along Canada Road, from Woodside to Sawyer Camp. On Sundays, this stretch of road is closed to car traffic from 09:00 to 15:00, making it a safe and enjoyable bike ride. . . . . We parked at the nearby Woodside Elementary, and I changed into road cycling clothes. This would be my first ride…
Read More: Cycling from Woodside to Sawyer Camp
Gunhild Carling’s performance at Biscuits & Blues in San Francisco was a terrific night out for fans of traditional jazz—from Dixieland and swing to big-band classics—and for anyone who appreciates musicians as entertaining to watch as they are to hear. . . . The Swedish-born multi-instrumentalist, singer, and entertainer, often dubbed the Queen of Swing, brings together dazzling musicianship, vintage jazz, playful humor, and theatrical…
Read More: Gunhild Carling at Biscuits & Blues
Today, after test-riding the X-Lab RS7 road bike and the X-Lab GT8 gravel bike at the local Sports Basement in Almaden (the shop finally had both bikes in stock), I decided to buy the RS7 base model in white, size large. At $2099, it offers the best value and felt excellent on the road. . I considered the X-Lab RS7 Di2 version with electronic gear…
Read More: X-Lab RS7 Road Bike
For our 25th Anniversary dinner, I initially booked Evvia, but had to cancel because Inna felt unwell. When I tried to book another day, I could only reserve outdoor tables, which worried me due to the cold weather. I decided to try dining at Le Papillon—a restaurant I visited decades ago. I made a dinner reservation for Saturday, October 24, at 19:00. . . On…
Read More: Anniversary Dinner at Le Papillon
With the promise of continued beautiful weather (70 degrees Fahrenheit) in Santa Cruz, I planned a Saturday morning cycling trip around Happy Valley (using Komoot as my guide). . When Alex arrived at 09:00, we loaded his bike into my Toyota Sienna and headed to Gateway Plaza in downtown Santa Cruz, where we'd start our ride. . On arrival there, we unloaded the bikes and…
Read More: Cycling to Happy Valley from Santa Cruz
We haven't been to Carmel-by-the-Sea in a while, so we decided to revisit it on Saturday. . . We met up with our friends at our favorite Mad Dogs & Englishmen Cafe, which has nice bicycle sidecars on display. . . After sampling a few pastries and enjoying delicious cappuccinos, we walked down to the beach. Although it was mid-October, the weather was beautiful and…
Read More: A Day Trip to Carmel
For my 58th Birthday, Inna treated me to a delicious dinner at Dalida Mediterranean in San Francisco's Presidio. She made a reservation for 19:30 (the earliest available for Sunday, October 11). . We tried calling Dalida to see if we could dine earlier, but couldn't reach anyone. When we arrived about 40 minutes early, they told us we couldn't be seated earlier. . Since it…
Read More: Birthday Dinner at Dalida
A.C.T.’s North by Northwest (playing at Toni Rembe Theater, San Francisco) feels like a production whose theatrical ingenuity outpaces its storytelling: an accomplished cast, inventive stagecraft, and considerable comic energy, but an uneven relationship with Hitchcock’s suspense. Whether that sounds entertaining or frustrating depends on how much you enjoy seeing a familiar thriller turned into playful physical theater. . . Plot and ending spoilers follow.…
Read More: North by Northwest at Toni Rembe Theater
I hoped to wing foil at Coyote Point (one final time this season), but the wind didn't cooperate. Although the forecast called for 20 knots, I waited until 13:00, but the wind didn't reach the forecast speed. . I decided to unload my 2008 Toyota Sienna minivan and go mountain biking at Almaden Quicksilver instead. I parked at the Hacienda entrance nd unloaded my 2011…
Read More: Mountain biking at Almaden Quicksilver
With a favorable (2-3 ft) forecast at Pacifica State Beach, I decided to restart my SUP surfing season. I woke at 06:30 (after loading all my surfing gear into my Toyota Sienna the night before). . . After a quick fuel stop at Chevron, I drove to Pacifica State Beach and arrived at 07:53. Although it was early, the parking lot was already almost full!…
Read More: SUP Surfing at Linda Mar
With a few "free days" at work and a birthday coming up, I thought about how to spend them. I considered flying to Bonaire, but late September does not offer favorable windsurfing conditions. I queried ChatGPT and Gemini AI and was advised to consider visiting Maui. . . While checking out Maui, I learned about a Maui Experiences Camp hosted by Robby Swift from September…
Read More: Maui Experiences Camp
With beautiful weather in the San Francisco Bay Area, it was time for a nice bicycle ride from Half Moon Bay to Purisima Creek. . . I met up with Alex in Palo Alto, and we loaded our two bicycles into the Toyota Sienna. We drove another 55 minutes to Half Moon Bay, parking in the empty parking lot across from Half Moon Bay Sportfishing…
Read More: Cycling from Half Moon Bay to Purisima Creek
With a strong Southerly wind forecast (25 kts) from iwindsurf.com, I anticipated epic conditions at Crissy Field. . I loaded up the Tesla Model Y with all my gear and left for Crissy Field in San Francisco around 10:00. Heavy traffic slowed me down, and I arrived at 12:00. . . . After finding a spot to park (there was plenty of parking on the…
Read More: Crazy Windy at Crissy FieldWith a favorable wind forecast (15-20 kts) from iwindsurf.com, I anticipated excellent wing foiling at Crissy Field in San Francisco. There was no wind at Coyote Point (my usual destination), so I headed to Crissy. . I loaded up the Tesla Model Y with all my gear and started the drive to Crissy Field around 10:00. There was heavy traffic, and I arrived at 11:30.…
Read More: Wing Foiling at Crissy
. . With beautiful weather in the San Francisco Bay Area, it was time for a nice bicycle ride from Sausalito to Tiburon and back. I met up with Alex in Palo Alto, and we loaded our two bicycles into the Toyota Sienna. Fortunately, both fit inside, without having to remove any of the wheels. We drove another 80 minutes to Sausalito, parking on the…
Read More: Cycling from Sausalito to Tiburon and backWith beautiful weather in the San Francisco Bay Area, it was time for a nice bicycle ride to Filoli Gardens. I met up with Alex in Palo Alto, and we started our long ride to Filoli Gardens. . . I was riding my Specialized FSR S-Works mountain bike on pavement, and it felt a bit heavy at times. We stopped for a quick restroom break…
Read More: Cycling from Palo Alto to Filoli GardensWith a strong Southerly wind forecast (20-25 kts) from iwindsurf.com, I anticipated epic conditions at Crissy Field. . I loaded up the Tesla Model Y with all my gear and started the drive to San Francisco's Crissy Field around 10:00. There was some heavy traffic, and I arrived at Crissy at 11:30. . . . After finding a spot to park (there was plenty of…
Read More: Windy Day at Crissy
With an unusual Southerly wind forecast (15-20 kts) from iwindsurf.com, I anticipated unpredictable conditions at Crissy Field. Normally, I only sail in Northwesterly winds. . I loaded up the Tesla Model Y with all my gear and started the drive to San Francisco's Crissy Field around 09:40 (stopping at Keypoint Credit Union on the way there). There was some heavy traffic, and I arrived at…
Read More: Wing Foiling at Crissy
Since the wind forecast was unfavorable for wing foiling at Crissy Field, Inna and I decided to head to Noe Valley instead, to meet up with Alex and to have lunch with him nearby. The drive to Noe Valley was surprisingly quick—normally, I need 90 minutes to reach Crissy Field, as driving through Golden Gate Park is usually quite slow. It took just about an…
Read More: Hiking Lands’ End