A digital travel diary. · WP v1.08 · Updated
Today, I listened to the "Spring Concert" at Bellarmine College Prep, where my son, a freshman, plays the trumpet. The music program was extensive, but it was sad since Frank and Diane Wyant left Bellarmine.. . . . I enjoyed the whole program, but especially liked "El Arco de Los Cabos" by Ed Huckeby.. . Music Program. . Director: Diane Wyant. Assistant: Ryan Stohs. .…
Read More: A Spring Concert at Bellarmine
After surfing at Pleasure Point alone, I set up two-hour, two-person private lessons with the Surf School of Santa Cruz. I had to re-schedule a few times (due to high surf) but finally settled on Sunday, April 22.. . We arrived a bit early (the lesson was scheduled for 10:00am), arriving around 9:20am (before the shop was open). The owner was there soon, and we…
Read More: Surfing Lessons with Bud
When I was offered to attend the Sharks vs Ducks Stanley Cup Playoffs (Game 3) for free, I jumped at the chance.. . I was uncertain as I had never seen an NHL playoff game live.. . . . I arrived early - around 18:30 - and found some nearby paid parking for $15 under the I-880 bridge. I walked to the SAP Center (there…
Read More: Sharks vs Ducks Stanley Cup Playoffs
After surfing in Sayulita, Mexico, Alex and I decided to try surfing in Santa Cruz. I found a well-regarded surf sport called Pleasure Point in Capitola and a nearby shop to rent gear - RipCurl (on 41st Avenue). The rental prices are high - $25/board and $20/wetsuit.. . . . We rented two NSP 60 fishes and a wetsuit for Alex (I had my own)…
Read More: Surfing Pleasure Point
After a long day of snowboarding at Heavenly, we decided to try snowboarding at Kirkwood - one of our favorite Lake Tahoe resorts - especially because the US-88 road was open.. . . . To avoid parking problems, we woke up early and departed South Lake Tahoe at 7:00 am for the one-hour ride to Kirkwood. We left on time and arrived at Kirkwood at…
Read More: Final Day of Snowboarding Kirkwood
While Alex and I were busy snowboarding at Heavenly and Kirkwood, Inna found time to visit the beautiful Filoli Gardens in Woodside.. . . . Inna spent many hours walking around the beautiful gardens, photographing many tulips and other blooming flowers.. . . . She saw a few beautiful peacocks wandering on the property.. . . . With many tulips in full bloom, she took…
Read More: Beautiful Filoli Gardens
With another significant snowstorm approaching, Alex and I were eager to have one last go at snowboarding at Lake Tahoe's ski resorts. Checking the weather on Friday, March 16, I was concerned about the requirement for chains on Highway US-50 and US-80 and the closure of US-88 (the road to Kirkwood).. . . . When I woke up at 4:00 am on Saturday morning, I…
Read More: Heavenly Powder
Time to make fresh tracks!. . When a massive snowstorm appeared on the horizon, Alex and I began tracking it using the OnTheSnow and OpenSnow apps on our iPhones. Hoping for some fresh, light powder at Lake Tahoe ski resorts, we eagerly anticipated its arrival.. . . . As expected, the storm deposited 30+ inches of fresh snow at Kirkwood, Heavenly, Northstar, and other nearby…
Read More: Fresh Powder at Kirkwood
I have always liked the entrees and desserts at the Plumed Horse - a Michelin 1-star restaurant in Saratoga. When it was time for Valentine's Day, I reserved a spot for my wife and me.. . . . The Plumed Horse prepared a special Valentine's Tasting menu for $225 per person (quite a steep price).. . When we arrived, we were quickly seated at our…
Read More: Plumed Horse, Saratoga
With a reported total of 16 inches of fresh snow at Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, January 24, and Thursday, January 25, Alex and I decided to try snowboarding at Northstar and Heavenly on Saturday, January 28, and Sunday, January 29. . . . We woke up around 03:50 on Saturday, January 29, and quickly dressed for the 4-hour drive to Northstar (from San Jose). The…
Read More: Snowboarding at Northstar
Since I purchased the Epic Local Pass from Vail Ski Resorts for Alex and me, I was eager to snowboard at one of the accessible ski resorts (Heavenly, Kirkwood, or Northstar). Although the snow conditions were not very favorable, I decided to try snowboarding at Heavenly anyway.. . I booked a room for one night on Saturday, January 13, at the conveniently located Blue Lake…
Read More: Snowboarding Heavenly
On Saturday, December 23, we decided to see the famous birds and animals at the world-famous San Diego Zoo.. . We enjoyed our stroll through the zoo, but Inna could not really enjoy it due to her mother's fall and transfer to the hospital.. . The Pink Flamingoes were the first colorful birds we saw, and Inna could not resist the urge to take a…
Read More: San Diego Zoo
For a nice, relaxing, and relatively inexpensive trip during the Christmas holidays, we decided to revisit the city of San Diego. We last visited San Diego in June 2008, so we were eager to review our main attractions. Inna found inexpensive, direct flights on Southwest Airlines from San Jose to San Diego, so we booked the trip.. . Our initial plan was to fly out…
Read More: Visiting San Diego
Today, I saw "A Night of Jazz" at Bellarmine College Prep - a concert of the Jazz Band classics.. . . . The music program included several compositions I had never heard of and a few I recognized (as Jazz Standards). "Cottontail" - a famous Duke Ellington tune - was a highlight for me, along with "Charade" by Henry Mancini.. . . . . Music…
Read More: “A Night of Jazz” at Bellarmine College Prep
I last saw Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox live at Warfield, San Francisco, on December 13, 2015. At that time, the line-up included Arianna Savalis, Haley Reinhart, and Sara Niemietz.. . . . . Two years later - on December 10, 2017 - my wife and I saw another show with many different singers and musicians. Unfortunately, neither Hailey nor Arianna were present this time (nor…
Read More: Review: Postmodern Jukebox at Warfield
Today, I saw the TheatreWorks production of "Around the World in 80 Days" at Lucie Stren Theater in Palo Alto.. . Around the World in 80 Days by Laura Eason takes the classic work from Jules Verne and adapts it for the theater. It centers on the story of Phileas Fogg, who tackles the wager that he cannot cross the World in just 80 days.…
Read More: Review; “Around the World in 80 Days” at Lucie Stern Theater
Today, Alex played trumpet in his first Symphonic Band performance with the Bellarmine Symphonic Band in the Sobrato Mainstage Theater.. . . . The Winter Concert Program was scheduled with the following performances:. . Symphonic Band. Synergies by Robert Sheldon . Ghost Fleet by Robert Sheldon . Instant Concert by Harold L. Walters. Performance Choir (with Notre Dame High School) . Let It Snow. Winter…
Read More: Bellarmine Winter Concert
At 18:35, I arrived at San Jose City College, where all the Bellarmine Home Football games are played. I parked in the garage, entered the stadium, and walked to the Bellarmine concession stand to purchase food. I decided to get the highly recommended tri-tip sandwich, chips, and water.. . Unlike the previous Bellarmine football game against Gonzaga, this game was much more crowded for both…
Read More: Bellarmine vs Mitty Football
On my last mountain bike ride at Almaden Quicksilver Park, I stopped by for a short break and got talking to another mountain bike rider. She told me about a mountain bike ride on the nearby John Nicholas Trail in Los Gatos (relatively nearby), which she thought was one of the best rides in the area.. . Since I had never biked there, I was…
Read More: Biking John Nicholas Trail
It was my son's first Bellarmine vs Gonzaga Football game and my first home tailgate. . . The actual game was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at San Jose City College (where the pre-game tailgate dinner was held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.). . . . When I arrived at 5:00 p.m., I parked at San Jose City College's parking garage and walked to the dinner…
Read More: Bellarmine vs Gonzaga Football