Road Trip!

Back in the water!

Today was a monumental day- my first time back on a surfboard since December of last year! (That’s right, us crazies out here on the west coast still surf at Christmas!)

2022 has been a rough year for me health-wise. Not only did my 5-day a week gym routine go out the window, but my surfing came to a screeching halt. Over the past couple months I’ve been making strides at the gym, but still haven’t felt I had the strength for surfing.

The conditions weren’t great, but then again I’m not a great surfer, despite my passion for it. But it felt incredible just to be back in the Pacific, paddling out under squadrons of pelicans. And in the end, I did catch a nice wave and managed to get upright for a short but sweet little ride.

It was glorious. I hope to do it again tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by!

Road Trip: Pismo Beach, CA

Summer vacation time! Generally speaking, we come to Pismo Beach once a year, though its often more as it’s only about 3.5 hours south of us.

Time to recharge the batteries and hopefully get a little board time out in the surf. Praying for waves!

Road Trip: Manresa State Beach

The Mrs. and I woke up and realized we didn’t have anything pressing, so we threw some cold drinks, some mixed nuts and beef jerky in a cooler and hit the road to the coast.

We didn’t have a specific destination in mind, we kinda let traffic lead our decision making, and we ended up at Manresa State Beach in La Selva Beach, CA – about 20 minutes south of Santa Cruz.

Manresa was one of my haunts as a teen, first learning to surf. Later it was a family favorite where we often took our daughter. But today was the first time back there in a dozen years at least.

It was a little overcast when we first got there, but it burned off by 11:30, and was just gorgeous after then, a perfect day at the beach!

I’m inclined to head back tomorrow with my board, for old time’s sake…

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Road Trip! Home Away from Home…

The Mrs. and I took off for a couple nights. We didn’t want to spend too much time traveling, so it was back to Half Moon Bay, our home away from home.

The weather was overcast, a little chilly and windy which is perfect as it keeps the crowds at bay.

Aside from soaking in the delightful crashing of the waves, we also took a spin down the coast to Pescadero to visit one of our favorite places; Harley Farms.

Peace and quiet, a deserted beach AND goats? What more could you ask for in a weekend getaway?

We came back Sunday, Mother’s Day, and spent the evening with our girl, and went to a really nice dinner in Saratoga. The perfect ending to a pretty much perfect weekend.

Just what the doctor ordered.

Now, back to the grind!

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A Day in the Park

After missing the festivities for the last few years, today the Mrs. and I ventured out to Kelly Park in San Jose for the 37th Annual VVCA (Vintage Volkswagen Club of America) Spring Meet, and what a great show!

I’ve been mad about VWs, since long before I could drive. My first car was a 1973 VW type III Squareback, later I had a Superbeetle and a ’71 type II bus. The first and only new car I ever purchased was a watercooled VW golf in 1990. So you could say my relationship with, and love for, VWs goes way, way back! I haven’t had one for a while now, but the craving never really leaves. After today the craving for a new aircooled plaything is especially strong!

Today we lucked out and had beautiful Spring weather and an awesome turnout of vintage German automobiles with some great restorations and even more custom, creative rides.

Here are a few highlights:

One of the finest Things I’ve seen in a long time.

This Ghia was the Mrs.’ favorite car of the day. Simple and beautiful.

Ultra rare right hand drive Notchback. The first one I’ve ever seen in person…

This pretty thing wasn’t quite finished and the pic doesn’t do it justice, she was truly dazzling in person

My thanks to the sponsors and the fine folks running the meet, we had a great time and look forward to the 38th annual!

Thanks for stopping by!

Home again…

Well, our stay in paradise has come to an end and we’re back in the Bay Area. Our trip was fantastic, it really couldn’t have gone any better. Definitely one to remember!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so since I’m jet-lagged and already headed back for a day at the office (on Sunday, no less!) I’ll give you all a little photo essay.

The Mrs., on one of the happiest days of her life!

A final farewell on the way to the airport!

If you ever have the chance, I strongly recommend you visit Hawaii. It really is a special place. The Mrs. and I are already scheming on getting back there! It probably won’t be any time soon, but I can guarantee it won’t be another 15 years!!

Thanks for reading!

The Sun sets on paradise…

The end of an epic day…

Road Trip! And we’re off!

It’s been a long time coming, but we are finally on our way to Hawaii!! The Big Island to be a tad more precise.

This is literally one of my favorite places in. the. world. It’s hard to believe it’s already been 15 years since my last trip out to the deep Pacific!

My daughter and the Mrs. have been twice since my last trip to the islands, but I’ve been borderline berserk with excitement for this trip.

This time around it is just the bride and I, celebrating our 30 year anniversary. The girl will be back home, helping take care of our spoiled rotten feline.

We were up at 4am, in the car by 5am on our way to the Oakland Airport. Anticipation made falling asleep last night a little rough, so I’m starting out a little wacky on only a few hours sleep, but will have PLENTY of time to catch up on my beauty sleep.

It’s been raining steadily at home since yesterday and cold, so I’m extra happy to be leaving town for a bit!

The airport scene went as easily as you could hope for. No hang ups checking in, got sat with the early boarding group, the plane took off on time and landed at our destination 20 minutes earlier than scheduled. Who could ask for more?

No issues with the car rental and the hotel let us check in early, every thing we could hope for and then some.

So happy to be back in Hawaii, it’s been far too long!

Thanks for reading!

Today is our daughter’s birthday and to celebrate with her we’ve taken a trip up to Napa CA, the *world famous California Wine Country.

Personally, I don’t drink wine with the occasional exception of sparkling wines, so Napa comes in at about #437 on my Top 10 places to visist. But it is pretty, I’ll give ’em that.

The Mrs. and I are thrilled that at this age she still wants to hang out with her parents on her birthday and are happy to be here with her, we just can’t help but wonder how our kid ended up liking such sedate, boring stuff!

Nonetheless, it’s been a really nice trip. This town has one thing down to a science, customer service. Everybody we’ve encountered has been extremely helpful and nice. If we were more into wine we’d probably make more of an effort to come here, but it is a pretty nice (and quiet) place to spend a couple days.

Good food, good drink (from what I’m told) and a friendly atmosphere, what’s not to like? Nine thumbs up for Cole’s Chop House. The best pork chop I’ve ever had, hands down.

Happy Birthday kiddo! Hope you enjoyed your time up north!