San Francisco, Las Vegas
But, my bed is softer. We've already ordered my favorite take-out, Taste of Thai Express, Green Curry with eggplant and each morning my favorite tea, Moroccan gunpowder with mint. It's my tub, smaller, with my grime. My household chores are behind and likely to be further delayed. The cat, Allercat, is still shedding. The clock/radio, a present during high school, is still with us, keeping time it's own way, substituting 7 for 1 and 9 for 4. But, I'm getting back into my schedule. I went to bed at 17:76 pm and arose at 6:99 am.
GINGER'S PARADISE
We took at idyllic ride down the Cabrillo Highway, state Route 1. Rows of bicyclers, all in the latest stretch gear. Kitesurfers making it look easy.
I'm surprised by a perpetual traffic jam in Santa Cruz, but pleased when we pull up to the gate at the McNally ranch and find that the combination I struggle to remember activates the electronic gate. Three Catahoula Leopard Dogs greet us. Nancy eventually decides she wants to get one because it would form a dynastic link between McNally / Myers.
It's a family affair at the McNally house. Matt and Ginger's vision of their perfect world is deep and complete. Everything fits. We have a dinner of food from their garden, in their newly renovated (by Matt) house, with the continual assistance of Colleen, youngest daughter. In the front yard, a "clump" of 80 ft tall redwoods, on the hill a new grove of olives. Plans for an outdoor kitchen.
We take Colleen's advice and thread through the condos to visit Manresa Beach. Then on to Nisene Marks State Park and nothing so quiet as a glorious Redwood forest.
We dine at Palapas Restaurant (I think Palapas means Thatch Umbrella).
Ginger is off to work at 6am.
Matt is off to close up a friend's house in the High Sierras.
Colleen is making candles from beeswax.
COSTANOA
Nancy and I have three days before I'm due in San Francisco, so we go the closest to camping I'm willing to go: A wood platform, a permanent canvas shed, a bed. Actually, add in reading lights and an electric blanket. Full stars at night (River of Heaven), no cell reception.
During the day, Nan is devoted to dragging me on walks since I made the mistake of mentioning my doctor suggested that. At Ano Nuevo
the abandoned lighthouse keeper's building is surrounded by the sea and elephant seals (which could just as well be sea rounded boulders ofr all they move).
Matt suggested Duarte's Restaurant in Pescadero, where we tried Cioppino with crab legs, delicious but messy.
On the way up the coast we have lunch at Half Moon Bakery, a gathering place for sauntering San Franciscans.
SAN FRANCISCO
Two things: food and architecture.
Mission Beach Cafe - For "Modern Urbanites." Decor, presentation and innovation.
The Stinking Rose - Would a garlic by any other name be as sweet. Bagna Calda, roasted garlic. We didn't have Forty Clove Garlic Chicken, but you get the idea.
The Front Porch - An actual porch with rocking chairs. southern cooking, with lots of SF tatoos.
Caffe De Lucchi - A North Beach reinterpretation of the classic Italian caffe.
Inka's Peruvian Restaurant - Salvador from Mission SF FCU (after a tour of his first floor branch on the same block), treated us to a mom-and-pop Chinese owned latin restaurant. Nan had ceviche mixto and i enjoyed the Picante de Mariscos
And a third, perfect weather.
And, fourth lots of time with Tessa, youngest daughter, SF resident, belly dancer at night, doggy daycare by day.
At this point we have the only significant marital fight in the two weeks, and that about how best to meddle in the life or our (potential future) son-in-law.
Tom Decker won't come out and play, so Nancy and I cheer and boo the final Obama/McCain debate with him in his room.
LAS VEGAS
Nancy and I are united in antipathy for Las Vegas. But, it's a good place to attend a check cashers conference.
George McGovern (well preserved 60s liberal icon) paired with
Karen Hughes (Bush Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs)
Just like the start or Romeo and Juliet
Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?
Do you quarrel sir?
Quarrel sir, no sir.
George drew on his deep trunk of tested jokes and dusted off banter from 1986. Something about his methodist minister father's inability to stop sin, but he could take pleasure out of it.
It's hard to escape the casinos. It's even hard to go anywhere without passing through the casino. Elevators? through the casino. Pool? through the casino. Restaurant? through the casino. Outdoors? through the casino.
One redeeming feature, our visit to Cirque de Soleil's Beatles Love show. If you love the songs, you'll love this show. Every note sounds like it was individually polished. The sound system amazes. The skits are colorful, surprising, touching, startling. The only one I'll mention is the four skate boarders in Beatles masks and white furry boots to "Revolution."
On the tram, back to the hotel, two late 20s girls, one the designated driver, the other, drunk. "How am I going to get you to the Gospel brunch tomorrow morning?" Everything is acceptable, there are no contradictions.
Trip photos
GINGER'S PARADISE
We took at idyllic ride down the Cabrillo Highway, state Route 1. Rows of bicyclers, all in the latest stretch gear. Kitesurfers making it look easy.
I'm surprised by a perpetual traffic jam in Santa Cruz, but pleased when we pull up to the gate at the McNally ranch and find that the combination I struggle to remember activates the electronic gate. Three Catahoula Leopard Dogs greet us. Nancy eventually decides she wants to get one because it would form a dynastic link between McNally / Myers.
It's a family affair at the McNally house. Matt and Ginger's vision of their perfect world is deep and complete. Everything fits. We have a dinner of food from their garden, in their newly renovated (by Matt) house, with the continual assistance of Colleen, youngest daughter. In the front yard, a "clump" of 80 ft tall redwoods, on the hill a new grove of olives. Plans for an outdoor kitchen.
We take Colleen's advice and thread through the condos to visit Manresa Beach. Then on to Nisene Marks State Park and nothing so quiet as a glorious Redwood forest.
We dine at Palapas Restaurant (I think Palapas means Thatch Umbrella).
Ginger is off to work at 6am.
Matt is off to close up a friend's house in the High Sierras.
Colleen is making candles from beeswax.
COSTANOA
Nancy and I have three days before I'm due in San Francisco, so we go the closest to camping I'm willing to go: A wood platform, a permanent canvas shed, a bed. Actually, add in reading lights and an electric blanket. Full stars at night (River of Heaven), no cell reception.
During the day, Nan is devoted to dragging me on walks since I made the mistake of mentioning my doctor suggested that. At Ano Nuevo
the abandoned lighthouse keeper's building is surrounded by the sea and elephant seals (which could just as well be sea rounded boulders ofr all they move).
Matt suggested Duarte's Restaurant in Pescadero, where we tried Cioppino with crab legs, delicious but messy.
On the way up the coast we have lunch at Half Moon Bakery, a gathering place for sauntering San Franciscans.
SAN FRANCISCO
Two things: food and architecture.
Mission Beach Cafe - For "Modern Urbanites." Decor, presentation and innovation.
The Stinking Rose - Would a garlic by any other name be as sweet. Bagna Calda, roasted garlic. We didn't have Forty Clove Garlic Chicken, but you get the idea.
The Front Porch - An actual porch with rocking chairs. southern cooking, with lots of SF tatoos.
Caffe De Lucchi - A North Beach reinterpretation of the classic Italian caffe.
Inka's Peruvian Restaurant - Salvador from Mission SF FCU (after a tour of his first floor branch on the same block), treated us to a mom-and-pop Chinese owned latin restaurant. Nan had ceviche mixto and i enjoyed the Picante de Mariscos
And a third, perfect weather.
And, fourth lots of time with Tessa, youngest daughter, SF resident, belly dancer at night, doggy daycare by day.
At this point we have the only significant marital fight in the two weeks, and that about how best to meddle in the life or our (potential future) son-in-law.
Tom Decker won't come out and play, so Nancy and I cheer and boo the final Obama/McCain debate with him in his room.
LAS VEGAS
Nancy and I are united in antipathy for Las Vegas. But, it's a good place to attend a check cashers conference.
George McGovern (well preserved 60s liberal icon) paired with
Karen Hughes (Bush Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs)
Just like the start or Romeo and Juliet
George drew on his deep trunk of tested jokes and dusted off banter from 1986. Something about his methodist minister father's inability to stop sin, but he could take pleasure out of it.
It's hard to escape the casinos. It's even hard to go anywhere without passing through the casino. Elevators? through the casino. Pool? through the casino. Restaurant? through the casino. Outdoors? through the casino.
One redeeming feature, our visit to Cirque de Soleil's Beatles Love show. If you love the songs, you'll love this show. Every note sounds like it was individually polished. The sound system amazes. The skits are colorful, surprising, touching, startling. The only one I'll mention is the four skate boarders in Beatles masks and white furry boots to "Revolution."
On the tram, back to the hotel, two late 20s girls, one the designated driver, the other, drunk. "How am I going to get you to the Gospel brunch tomorrow morning?" Everything is acceptable, there are no contradictions.
Trip photos
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