A digital travel diary. · WP v1.08 · Updated
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…
Read More: Exploring Morro Bay
After many months of closure due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Coyote Point Park in San Mateo (my default windsurfing destination) re-opened on June 15th.. . As Coyote Point is much closer to my home (usually a 45-minute car ride vs a 90-minute ride to Sherman Island), I was eager to reclaim at least a small part of my rapidly fading windsurfing season.. . With…
Read More: Windsurfing at Coyote Point
After spending 3 hours assembling the very complex Weber Genesis II S-345 Grill (which I purchased from Costco for $949), I was finally ready to try grilling steak! I bought a 15-pound propane canister (outdoor supply hardware) for $65.. . . . My first attempt was to grill a prime rib using the iGrill thermometer. According to YouTube directions, I needed to examine the steak…
Read More: Grilling on the Weber Genesis II S-345
With strong gusty, 25+ knot winds promised by the iWindsurf forecast, I rushed to Sherman Island in Rio Vista.. . . . I arrived at about 4:15pm, parked my minivan near the Sherman Island County park (as parking in the actual park was completely full), and rigged my Ezzy Elite 4.0m sail. I selected the 85-liter Goya Custom quad fin for my board of choice,…
Read More: Windsurfing at Sherman Island
Having difficulty catching waves on my Firewire Spitfire, 6'6", I decided to try my luck at stand-up paddleboarding from my last experience at Sayulita. It might make it easier for me to catch slow waves in Mexico.. . . . After some research, I settled on an F.One Madeiro 8'5" wave sup on Craigslist. I also needed a new paddle (Cruz carbon) and a board…
Read More: Learning to SUP surf at Capitola
Over the past two years, I have been using primarily two surfboards for surfing:. Wavestorm 8'0" soft-top surfboard (Costco $99) . Firewire Spitfire 6'6" FST epoxy (purchased used for $525 from Rodney/Craigslist) . As I started progressing on the Wavestorm, I switched to the Firewire Spitfire 6'6 FST, but my progress slowed dramatically. I could no longer catch any waves despite a lot of hard…
Read More: Wavestorm 5’8″ Fish
For a few weeks, I have been thinking about using a bike computer to help me improve my fitness training when riding my Specialized FSR S-Works mountain bike at Almaden Quicksilver County Park (and other parks & trails).. . Until now, I have been using my iPhone 10 with an Apple Series 3 watch to record my rides using the Strava app on my iPhone.…
Read More: Review: Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt GPS Bike Computer
With my City Sports Gym closed (due to the COVID-19 outbreak), I decided I needed a stationary spin bicycle to keep my cardiovascular fitness. Although I try to mountain bike as often as possible, I don't always have 2 hours.. . . . After much research, I settled on the Keiser M3i bicycle because it's available at my City Sports gym, and I was already…
Read More: Keiser M3i Spin Bike
With the coronavirus raging in San Jose (and across the United States), I resumed exercise. I thought that Almaden Quicksilver County Park would be closed, but I learned it was still open on closer inspection.. . . . . On April 17th, I rode my Specialized FSR S-Works mountain bike on my standard 10.5-mile trail. According to Strava, my ride took me 87 minutes. With…
Read More: Back to Almaden QuicksilverWhile home during the Coronavirus quarantine, I decided to practice windsurfing jibing on land.. I found the following YouTube video extremely helpful for practicing jibing at home. . . . . . Carve Jibing Steps. Look around to make sure the jibbing area is clear. Move the backhand farther toward the clew. Unhook from the harness and use your hips to maintain speed (do not…
Read More: Windsurf Jibing at home
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, I could no longer play tennis at the Sunnyvale Tennis Center. I purchased Billie Jean King's Eye Coach to maintain my tennis skills. . . . . . Florian Meyer had a $20 discount on this device, so I could purchase it for $145. . Florian also offers bonus Eye Coach training videos here: . https://content.onlinetennisinstruction.com/wp-login.php . Additional instructional videos…
Read More: Billie Jean King’s Eye Coach
On Friday, March 6, I started to feel flu symptoms, with an intense headache persisting through Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, Mach 8. I had trouble sleeping and a persistent dry cough. I decided to work from home to avoid infecting anyone at work. I had the usual flu symptoms, which decreased after about a week of home rest (I also had a runny nose)..…
Read More: Coronovirus Chonicles
Being a junior at Bellarmine College Prep, Alex wanted to explore Santa Clara University as a possible college for engineering or finance. He registered for a 9:00am tour on February 29 (leap day)!. . . . . . We arrived on time, parking in the garage near the Stephen C. Schott Admission building. Once registered, we were seated in a large conference room where Randy…
Read More: Santa Clara College Tour
For Inna's Birthday dinner, I made reservations at Evvia - one of our favorite Palo Alto restaurants.. . . . Our dinner started with two glasses of sparkling wine and "Tzatziki & Pita.". . . . We also ordered some freshly picked crimini mushrooms.. . . . The mushrooms were incredibly delicious and one of our all-time favorites. Being conservative, I ordered "Moussaka" as my…
Read More: Inna’s Birthday Dinner at Evvia
Since Alex, a junior in high school, will be graduating from Bellarmine College Prep next year, we decided to tour well-respected colleges and universities in Southern California that he is considering applying to.. . Our plan was as follows:. . Date . College / Activity Tour Time Hotel Location . Feb 15 Saturday Cal Poly (on the drive to LA) Kimpton Hotel, LA . Feb…
Read More: Southern California College Tour
For pre-Valentine's Day, I reserved an 8:00pm dinner at The Plumed Horse - a 1-star Michelin-rated restaurant in Saratoga.. . We have always enjoyed eating at The Plumed Horse - even more than at the 3 Michelin Star-rated Manresa in downtown Los Gatos.. . . . The Chef's Tasting Menu consisted of the following delicacies:. Roasted Brussel Sprouts - parsnip, grapes, lemon verbena streusel .…
Read More: Dinner at Plumed Horse
Although I wanted to purchase the Gitzo GT2545T Series 2 Traveler tripod on B&H Photo Video, I had difficulty justifying the $1128.90 price tag.. . The Gitzo Series 2 is the world's pre-eminent travel tripod due to its lightweight, compact size, and extreme stiffness. However, the Neewer Carbon Fiber 63' tripod on Amazon for $109.99 was hard to pass up.. . . . . .…
Read More: Neewer Carbon Fiber 63″ Tripod
The World Premiere of Pride & Prejudice Musical . Book, music, and lyrics by Paul Gordon . Based on the novel by Jane Austen . Directed by Robert Kelley. Musical Director William Liberatore . . For the New Year 2020, Inna and I decided to attend the Pride & Prejudice musical performance. Although we are both familiar with the famous book by Jane Austen, we…
Read More: Review: Pride & Prejudice Musical
With the New Year 2020 and relatively mild January weather upon us, Alex requested to surf at his usual spot - The Hook in Capitola.. . We woke up relatively early and arrived at The Hook around 9:10am. The waves consistently reached 3-5 feet high, with the tide ebbing.. . . . Alex wore his Ripcurl Dawn Patrol 4/3mm wetsuit with booties, gloves, and hood…
Read More: Surfing at the Hook
Which are the best restaurants, spas, and travel destinations? At the end of 2019, I am rating the following (from best to worst) based on my personal experience. . . . . . . Restaurants. . Even though Michelin has not rated it, Mama's Fish House on Maui is our favorite restaurant worldwide. Mama's Fish House combines an authentic Hawaiian atmosphere with exceptional cooking and…
Read More: Best of the Best 2019