Marin Headlands Hike Map

Using data from Runkeeper on my iPhone, I generated this map of our hike in the Marin Headlands. Sharon and I covered just over 5 miles in 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Drew and Shannon

Marin Headlands Hike

Going back to when we lived in Elk Grove, Sharon has worked out with a group called Mama Bootcamp. The group organized a hike in the Marin Headlands.

Leaving the house about 8 am, we met the group at McKinley Park at 8:30 am. It was a two hour drive: 80 to 37 to 101. We parked near the Point Bonita Lighthouse about 10:30 am.

The group turned out to be about fifteen women, one baby and me! We hiked around the bunkers and then down on to Rodeo Beach for lunch. After lunch, Sharon and I hiked down to the end of the beach and then a short distance up the Coastal Trail.

Hiking back to the car, we took the trail out to the Point Bonita Lighthouse. I had no interest in crossing the bridge out to the lighthouse...

We covered just over five miles in two and twenty minutes. A map of the hike is here.

Waze routed us over the Richmond Bridge rather than 37 on the way home. Thankfully, the traffic was pretty light. We were home at 4:30 pm.

Plan B

Sharon and I finished the day with dinner at Plan B. We split fennel-Leek tnrtelette [caramelized onion, fennel, leeks, white anchovies] and a butter salad [walnuts, Roquefort, sun-dried cherries, whole grain Dijonette]. For entrees, I had short ribs, while Sharon had halibut.

We worked on an initial list of invitations for Drew and Shannon's engagement party.

Travels

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.

Saint Augustine

Countries Visited

Places to Travel

Sharon's Travels

Sea Ranch

Travel Priorities

• Frances Camino '28
• Japan '28
• Paris - Lyon - Provence '27
• Ireland '26
• Viking Passage to Eastern Europe '26
• South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia '25
• Wyoming Roadtrip '25
• Las Vegas '25
• Crossroads of the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia '24
• Viking Homelands '24
• California Road Trip '24
• Isreal, Egypt and Jordan '23
• Lake Almanor '23
• England, Hadrian's Wall and Scotland '23
• Greece and Turkey '22
• Todos Santos '22
• Kaui Birthday/Retirement Celebration '22
• Army/Navy Game '21
• Oregon 25th Wedding Anniversary Trip '21
• Father's Day Weekend '21
• London '19
• Vancouver Island '18
• New York Easter Trip '18
• Big Island Hawaii '18
• Fall New England '17
• Europe '16
• East Coast College Tour '15
• Charleston '15
• New Orleans '14
• Hawaiian Islands '13
• Italy '12
• Rugby World Cup - New Zealand '11
• Washington D.C '11
• Zion National Park '11
• Spain '10
• East Coast Trip including Cooperstown '09
• Alaskan Cruise '08
• New Mexico '07
• France '06
• Southern California '05
• Florida '04
• Cabo San Lucas '04
• Philippines '03
• Cancun '01
• Victoria '99
• Grand Cayman '97
• Italy '96
• Russia/Germany '95
• Puerto Vallarta '92
• Rugby World Cup - Ireland/Wales/England '91
• Mazatlan '88

Throwback Thursday - Mammoth Mountain - March 1994

Skiing with Larkin et al at Mammoth Mountain 25 years ago

Vicinity of Tongue Landing and Rutherford Dairy

I came across this historical marker during my long run on Sunday at Sea Ranch.

Vicinity of Tongue Landing and Rutherford Dairy
Marker 35A-3
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This site is located on the Bluff Trail near 384 Fish Rock, Sea Ranch, CA 95497, California. The Sea Ranch Archives Committee has identified twenty-six historic sites scattered about The Sea Ranch. They have constructed trail markers with information explaining the significance of each place. They were placed as part of The Sea Ranch 50th anniversary being celebrated from Memorial Day 2014 to Memorial Day 2015. The GPS coordinates for this location are 38° 44' 43.0" N 123° 30' 59.9" W.

The 985 acres at the Sea Ranch's Northern end was primarily used by Rutherford for dairy ranching, including a large dairy barn, prior to the creation of the Bender Brothers' lumber mill. Part of the acreage was leased to Gualala resident Joe Tongue to grow grain and fruits.

The Rider by by Tim Krabbé

My book for April is The Rider by by Tim Krabbé. Looking for something lighter and shorter to read after wading through the fourth volume of the LBJ biography, I settled on this book. This was one of the books mentioned on The Sports Repodders Podcast in March.

The author was born in Amsterdam. He is a Dutch journalist, novelist, script writer, competitive cyclist and championship chess player.

First published in 1978, the book was translated into English in 2002. The Guardian wrote: "Nothing better is ever likely to be written on the subjective experience of cycle-racing."

The book is told from the point of view of a cyclist as he rides the Tour de Mont Aigoual. The col de Mont Aigoual (1507 meters) has been used once by the Tour de France in 1987. It is known as one of the cruelest stages of the Tour de France.

The book reminds of Ken Dryden's The Game. Both books use a small timeline to explore the author's life and his sport. I enjoyed the book and give it a solid "B".

Jack back to school

Finishing a short Easter break, Sharon and I took Jack to the airport about 9:00 pm on Monday night. He caught a 10:55 pm United flight from Sacramento to Chicago. Jack then caught a 6:00 am flight from Chicago to Reagan National in Washington, DC. He was on the ground in DC at 8:45 am on Tuesday morning.

It is hard to believe that in less than a month Jack will be done with his junior year at Georgetown!

For the first time that I have been to the Sacramento Airport with the Volvo, I was able to park in one of the electric car charging stations. I have been to the airport more than a dozen times in the last six months; this is the first time that one was available.

Easter 2019

Up early, Sharon and I took Tiber on a creek walk. Afterwards, the three of us went to Mass at Our Lady of Assumption. We got there just after 7:30 am for an 8:00 am Mass. The place was empty! We didn't need to go early...

For the first time since 2015, we hosted Easter. Everyone started to show up about 2:00 pm. The group totaled 18, including: Tom, Kevin, Leah, Lydia, Amelia, Tim, Kathy, Erin, Cromac, Eileen, Will, Teri, Steve, Janie, Jim, Sharon, Jack and I.

With Easter falling late, Tim was able to join the group. Googling Easter, the holiday can fall from March 22 to April 25.

Before dinner, Sharon had an adult Easter egg hunt. This indirectly resulted in one of the sconces in the entry way being destroyed.

Sharon made a leg of lamb and au gratin potatoes. Everyone else contributed ham (Janie), green beans (Cromac), rolls, green salad and jello salad. Tom brought the lamb cake for dessert.

We finished the day watching the San Jose Sharks play the Las Vegas Knights in the first round of the NHL playoffs. The Sharks won the game by the score of 2 to 1 on a short-handed goal in the second overtime.

dinners...

Sharon met Laura and Liz for dinner at Mikuni on Fair Oaks. Jack and I went to Rey Aztec.

We finished the night watching the Houston Rockets versus New Orleans Jazz first round NBA playoff game. In spite of James Hardy going 0 for 15 from the field to start the game, the Rockets won the game by the score of 104 to 101.

Waterfalls and Wildflowers Hike?!?

Celebrate the arrival of spring and check out the Bay Area’s most scenic Wildflowers and Waterfalls Hike!!

Professional guides. Beautiful trails. A fun group to hike with.

Set on the northern flank of Mount Diablo, this 7.5 mile loop will lead us to almost half a dozen waterfalls in Donner Canyon. And of course, if our timing is right, all of the cascades will be framed by a plethora of native California wildflowers: Poppy, Lupine, Indian Paintbrush, Milk Maids, Ceanothus, Mountain Voilet, Brewers Rock Cress and Mosquito Bills, just to name a few.

The Trip:

We’ll start our 7.5 mile hike from the Mitchell Canyon Staging Area. The first 2 miles along Bruce Lee and Oak Roads are fairly mild and flat as we walk through rolling hills and oak woodlands eventually linking up with George Cardinet Back Creek. Once we cross the creek, however, we’ll climb 600 vertical feet up a series of difficult switchbacks. With the climb behind us, we’ll be rewarded with commanding views of Clayton Valley and Suisun Bay. As we make our way along the Falls Trail loop, we’ll encounter one gorgeous display of waterworks after another, witnessing a total of 4 distinct waterfalls along just this section of trail.

While I finished up a long week working to get 1,300 people settled into a new building, Sharon and Jack did a Good Friday hike from the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center.

They were trying to do a waterfalls and wild flowers hike that Sharon had read about.

They got lost and ended up hiking more than 8 miles without finding the rights trails...

The Jackass Express

Larkin and I stopped here with Gainsley et al on day two of the 2019 Petersen Shootout.

The Jackass Express
E Clampus Vitus
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This marker is located at 2282 Main Street, Genoa, Nevada. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 00.196 W 119° 50.782.

In 1851, George Chorpenning and fellow Pennsylvania entrepreneur Absalom Woodward received a contract for $14,000 from the U.S. Post Office to establish the first U.S. mail service between Sacramento, CA and Salt Lake City, UT.  The monthly trip was to be made in a record time of 16 days.

The mail-carrying mule train, known as the "Jackass Express" or "Jackass Mail," left Sacramento on May 1, 1851, and struggled over the Sierra to reach the Carson Vally.  A mail station was soon established in Genoa, NV.

Woodward was killed on the route in the first year of operations.  Chorpenning continued to renew the contract until 1860, when it was annulled for political reasons.  The route and many of the way stations were used by Russell, Majors and Waddel to establish the Pony Express.

Dedicated on March 24, 2018 (6023)
By the Snowshoe Thompson Chapter #1827
of the ancient and honorable order
E Clampus Vitus

Jack is back!

Jack is home for few days over his Easter break! He caught a 5:45 pm United flight nonstop from Dulles to Sacramento. The flight landed in Sacramento about 8:20 pm. Sharon and I got to the terminal just before he came down the escalator. It is great to have him home.

Toiyable Golf Club Scorecard

2019 Petersen Shootout

New Building

Starting over the weekend, we are working to move 1,300 employees to a new corporate headquarters in the next week!

2019 Petersen Shootout - Day 3

Up early, Larkin and I used our vouchers to have breakfast downstairs. Afterwards, I packed up the room and loaded the car.

Looking at both Waze and Google Maps during the breakfast, the fastest way back to Roseville was Highway 88 to Highway 50 to Douglas to East Roseville Parkway. Leaving the parking lot about 8 am, I was in Roseville by 10:35 am. There was a rock fall on Highway 50 on the grade out of South Shore that stopped traffic for a few minutes.

I spent the rest of the day working at our new building getting ready for the first group of employees to move in on Monday. It is going to be an interesting week.

I enjoyed the weekend. I always enjoy Larkin's company. I am getting to know more of the regulars. Gainsley and his posse plus Borja and his brother-in-law are great additions!

2019 Petersen Shootout - Day 2

Up fairly early, Larkin and I had breakfast at Katie's Country Kitchen in the hotel. The package for the weekend included a $5.00 food voucher for use at the hotel.

Like last year, we met Gainsley and his gang at the Genoa Bar. This is billed as Nevada' oldest thirst parlor.

The plan for the day was to play the Silver Oak Golf Course. We played this course in 2010 and in the rain in 2016. Rod started with a pitching contest. This was followed by a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. The format for the day was a shamble.

Rod and I played with Rod's nephew Danny and his friend Logan. Danny was crushing the ball. On one of the par fives, he hit the ball 365 yards with the wind behind him!

As the result of Danny's drives, I ended up with a liberally scored winter rules 80!?! I have never scored that low in a shamble. Larkin had a 78, Logan had a 79 and Danny had a 68. I had fond memories of the back nine, but it includes a nasty uphill par 5 and a difficult uphill par 4.

We only used one of my drives. On the par three 16th, I hit on to the cart path above the green to the right and the ball trickled down to within 12 feet of the pin.

After golf, we headed back to the hotel and got cleaned up. The golf weekend included dinner on Saturday. There was a hosted bar from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm with a buffet dinner at 8:15 pm. Our table at dinner included Gainsley, Rick, Art, Colin, Larkin and I.

Before dinner, they shuffled the scorecards from the day and randomly assigned foursomes. Larkin ended up winning money for the third place foursome. They also played a version of Texas Hold'em. Larkin won the hand at our table and even more money...

After dinner, Rod's brother Scott emceed. They require all of the first time attendees to get up and tell a joke. I was surprised how many new newbies there were.

After dinner, we wandered back to Rod's suite. At some point, we wandered downstairs and walked through the casino. Larkin and I crashed early.

2019 Petersen Shootout - Day 1

For the eighth time in ten years, Larkin and I played in the Petersen Shootout [2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018]. We missed 2013 when Rod kept moving the date around and it finally landed on a weekend when Sharon, Jack and I were in H@waii. In 2015, Larkin wasn't available. I signed up with Borja as my wingman, but when he canceled at the last minute, I bailed.

I left the house about 8:30 am. Taking Highway 80 to 395, I got to the Toiyabe golf course about 11:10 am. I have never played this course before.

Like last year, the group was big. There were just under 60 people. The group included Gainsley, Rick, Art and Colin.

Rod started the day with a long putt contest. I won! I made the second round. I was fourth closet to the pin in the second round, but the first three missed before I sunk my four foot second putt to win.

The group teed off in a shotgun start at 12:30 pm. Larkin and I played with Ben Borja, his brother-in-law Scott and the husband of Ben's wife Lynn's best Friend (Mike).

We didn't go to the driving range. Partly as a result, I started horribly. Starting with a shotgun start on the 7th hole, I just couldn't strike the ball over the course of the first two holes. I eventually settled down and posted a 50 on the back nine. Overall, I had a liberally scored winter rules 106. The scorecard is here.

For the third year in a row, the group is staying at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden. I stayed at this hotel in a suite once in late 1991 with she-who-will-not-be-named.

Larkin and I spent some time in Rod's suite before we headed to dinner. Looking for someplace different to eat, we walked to Khristoper's Ristorante. It ended up being a very interesting evening. Before we ordered, the owner [Fred J. Simon, Jr] started talking to us. He ended up sitting at our table for the rest of the evening. Both Larkin and I had the lobster ravioli.

We made a stop at Rod's suite after dinner. Larkin and I ended up crashing about 11:45 pm.

Piatti

After signing our taxes, Sharon and I finished a short week with dinner at Piatti. We split a Farm Lettuces Salad [shaved fennel, radish, pine nuts, shaved grant, sherry vinaigrette]. For mains, Sharon had a Grilled New York steak with fries, while I had Pappardelle [5 hour pork & beef bolognese, spinach, olive oil].