A digital travel diary. · WP v1.22 · Updated
Since our fabulous trip to Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita in April 2008, we have planned to return to Puerto Vallarta. In 2019, we jumped on a deal to stay at the top-rated Four Seasons in Punta Mita (a famous surfing spot). However, due to COVID-19, we had to reschedule our stay multiple times. . Eventually, we settled on the week of September 5-12, 2021. We…
Read More: Relaxing in Punta Mita
Saturday, August 14, 2021 . In the morning, Inna and I woke up at 8:30 and took a short stroll to Le Marais Bakery, where we purchased pastries and coffee. We were surprised by a longer-than-expected order line and the number of people on the street. The bakery was much busier than on weekdays. . . . . We ordered the following items:. Boris: Mocha,…
Read More: San Francisco Workation Week 5
Saturday, August 7, 2021 . In the morning, Inna and I woke up around 09:00 and took a short stroll to Crissy Field. After we returned, I made a couple of sandwiches with pastrami from Lucca Deli on Acme sourdough bread for Alex and me. . . . . . Alex and I spent most of the day boat surfing on the Petaluma River in…
Read More: San Francisco Workation Week 4
Saturday, July 31, 2021 . In the morning, Inna and I woke up around 08:00. I installed the Via Velo Bike U Lock on Inna's Specialized hybrid bike, cleaned up my windsurfing gear, started the washing machine, and loaded the dishwasher. . . . . Alex had severe allergies to ragweed pollen, so we walked to Arsicault Bakery (on Arguello) to bring him some of…
Read More: San Francisco Workation Week 3
Saturday, July 24, 2021 . I woke up at 06:30 but decided to sleep until 07:45. Inna and I went for a short walk to Crissy Field. . . . . . . . Inna hoped to photograph some of the local Night Herons and other birds who frequently inhabit the Palace of Fine Arts. She managed to take a few excellent photos. . .…
Read More: San Francisco Workation Week 2
While we could still work from home (due to COVID-19), Inna had an idea to try living in San Francisco. She reserved an Airbnb house from July 17 to August 16, located near the Presidio, Marina Blvd, and Crissy Field, that suited our work-from-home intentions. . . Saturday, July 17, 2021 . Inna, Alex, and I packed our suitcases, but I decided to leave earlier…
Read More: San Francisco Workation Week 1
Saturday, July 3, 2021 . In the morning, I woke up at 7:30 a.m. I stopped by the nearby Farmer's Market to purchase a few essentials for the upcoming week, including fresh organic tomatoes, pita bread, blueberries, and tzatziki sauce. . . . . . . . After returning home and eating a breakfast of yogurt with blueberries and raspberries, we drove Alex to San…
Read More: Laguna Beach Workation Week 4
Saturday, June 26, 2021 . . . In the morning, I stopped by Whole Foods for a few grocery items (bananas, Gouda cheese) and to get cash for my Saturday's Farmer's Market visit. I purchased fresh organic tomatoes, sourdough bread, blueberries, and raspberries at the market. . . . . . . After returning home and eating a quick breakfast of yogurt with blueberries and…
Read More: Laguna Beach Workation Week 3
Saturday, June 19, 2021 . . . I woke up early in the morning to shop at the nearby Farmers' Market (next to our Fire Station). Inna and I walked over and examined all the stands. We purchased German Rye Bread, pre-sliced Sourdough bread, Grapefruits, Tomatoes, Burrata cheese, tzatziki, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. . . . . . . . Finished with shopping, Inna and…
Read More: Laguna Beach Workation Week 2
With COVID-19 restrictions easing at the time, we planned another work-from-home trip to our favorite Laguna Beach rental home (June 12 - July 12, 2021). We enjoyed last year's stay (from September 4 - October 4, 2020) and looked forward to exploring the beautiful beaches, eating delicious pastries at Moulin Bakery, and surfing at Rockpile Beach. . We were unsure how much longer our current…
Read More: Laguna Beach Workation Week 1
After surfing for many weeks at famous surfing spots along the Southern California coast: Thalia Street, Rockpile Beach, Newport Beach, San Clemente, and Trestles, I realized that my surf paddling could use improvement. . I discovered Rob - a local surf trainer who teaches proper surf paddling techniques. He runs a website called surfingpaddling.com. He is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and offers…
Read More: Improving Surf Paddling Part 2Over one week, April 19 -25, we experienced a lot of surprising events: . . Monday, April 19, 2021 . . My new employer's background check was completed successfully, and I was free to resign from Juniper Networks and accept the new employment offer. . Tuesday, April 20, 2021 . . Inna's surgery to remove her dermoid near her left ovary was successful, and no…
Read More: The Golden Week
We intended to spend Spring Break in Punta Mita (Puerto Vallarta), Mexico. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the required COVID-19 testing to return to the U.S.A., we postponed our international travel (yet again). We worried about getting stuck in Mexico (had we tested positive for COVID-19) and missing Alex's A.P. tests.. . Instead, we decided to return for a week to Southern California.…
Read More: Spring Break at La Jolla
A friend who owns a timeshare at Marriott's Newport Coast Villas could not visit because of COVID-19 concerns. After enjoying nearby Laguna Beach in September, we decided another week on the coast would be fun. . . . . We reserved our 7 nights at Marriott from Saturday, February 27 to Saturday, March 6, 2021. Alex was excited, as it would allow him to surf…
Read More: Winter at Newport Beach
February 10, 2021 . . My rear brake stopped working on my recent mountain bike ride at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. I was shocked, as I had my rear brake pads replaced by Michael at Silva Cycles recently. I thought my rear brake cable had broken, but that was not the case. . When I brought my bike to Silva Cycles, Michael found that my…
Read More: Specialized Rear Brake Problems
I decided that Alex needed a surf skateboard to improve his surfing technique - maneuvers such as cutbacks, bottom turns, and slashes. . Alex already owns a 43-inch skateboard, but it's not as maneuverable as an actual surfboard. After researching, I found that a Florida company called Swelltech specializes in manufacturing surf skates that closely mimic surfing.. . On October 21, 2020, I pre-ordered the…
Read More: Riding Swelltech J.O.B. Banzai SurfskateAfter surfing for many weeks at famous surfing spots along the Southern California coast: Thalia Street, Rockpile Beach, Newport Beach, San Clemente, and Trestles, I realized that my surf paddling could use improvement. . I discovered that Rob, a local surf trainer, teaches proper surf paddling techniques. He runs a website called surfingpaddling.com. He is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and offers online…
Read More: Improving Surf Paddling
For our 19th wedding anniversary, Inna initially booked two nights at the Timber Cove Resort (a bit North of Bodega Bay). However, a few days before our arrival, when she inquired about the weather and activities, she learned that ping-pong and a few other activities were discontinued due to COVID-19. . . Since the drive to Timber Cove would require 3+ hours, we explored other…
Read More: Enjoying Sausalito
Monday, September 28, 2020 — Yom Kippur . After waking up around 7:30am, I decided to walk to Heisler Park to enjoy the beautiful beach as part of my daily exercise routine. Since it was Yom Kippur, I skipped breakfast and lunch. . . In the afternoon, around 12:00pm, Inna and I walked back to the main beach in Laguna Beach for a pleasant stroll…
Read More: Last Week at Laguna Beach
Ah, another delightful week (my 3rd) at Laguna Beach! What could be better?. . Monday, September 21, 2020. . I had a reasonably busy workday but stopped by Wally's Barbershop for a haircut. I felt much better after getting all of my long hair trimmed. . In the evening, I found time to surf at Rockpile Beach. Waves were relatively small - no more significant…
Read More: Enjoying Laguna Beach