Sailing San Francisco Bay - Originally Published 2010

What is it that causes men to run away to sea?  For myself, it was to help celebrate a friend’s thirtieth birthday.  There he is to the left.  Happy birthday, Mandeep.  Thanks for doing the heavy lifting and setting up this swell cruise across San Francisco Bay.

The night before we set sail across the San Francisco Bay, we were out to dinner with the Gervases; Mark, Samantha, and Bridgette.  In a very superior way, I quoted Jack London.  I said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”.  And then I said, “Jack London said that.”  That way everyone at the table would know I was one of those superior literary types that knows appropriate quotes for appropriate times.

“I always though Mark Twain said that,” remarked Samantha.

Holy cow.  Had I been going around the better part of my life attributing the only quote I know to the wrong person?  She had to be right.  First, she teaches History.  Not only teaches it, but actually has read the books they assign in school.  Second, Mark Twain has always been known for his humor.  Jack London? Not so much.  Serves me right for going all about town, quoting and acting superior.

Either way, San Francisco is cold.  And sailing across the bay is no different.  If you do decide to partake in a morning cruise on a sloop, make sure to dress warm.  Neptune is vengeful and will unleash cold upon those that doubt him.

Later on, while toiling away in my study, I looked up the quote in question to see if I could nail down the source.  Remember, I want to sound superior.  Superior people attribute their quotes to the correct sources.  This is one way we are able to separate the wheat from the chaff.

It turns out that the quote is attributed to Mark Twain.  However, he never actually said it.

So, gentle reader, I suggest that you go sailing across the San Francisco Bay.  It will expand your horizons and will make you more aware of the world.

A big thanks goes out to Mandeep who did all the heavy lifting on this excursion.  Despite the fact that he was the birthday boy, he charted this cruise so we could all help him celebrate.

Elephant Seal Beach - Originally Published 2010

The next time you hear some so-called conservative say that government oversight and regulation is a form of socialism, my advice is that you should tell that conservative to eat it.  There is very little conservation among the conservatives.  Those sons of bitches would use every resource up in the name of greed and profit.

Business unchecked will take every shortcut possible in order to increase profit.  Let’s take the Gulf oil spill for example.  You know why this one is setting all kinds of records?  Because BP sunk a drill a mile through ocean and two miles through the Earth just so we could all get a taste of our buddy oil.  And they never bothered to put in a relief well.  How did this happen?  Because our lawmakers have been asleep at the switch and more concerned with picking fights with sovereign nations than with real issues.  Drill, baby, drill.

As recently as March, BP tried to get Canada to soften its stance on relief wells.  The geniuses at BP stated that thanks to advances in technology, there is no need to relief wells.  Thankfully, Canada was not swayed.

Dead is dead and extinct is extinct.  The guide at the Elephant Seal Beach said that the last three years had seen an increase in the population of the Elephant Seals.  As long as the populous in our Democratic experiment remind the legislators who’s really in charge there may actually be some wildlife left for our children to see one day.

Splash Cafe - Originally Published 2008

Next time you make a run up Pacific Coast Highway, make a stop at the Splash Café in Pismo Beach.  There will be a line.  There always is.  However, it’s worth a little wait.

What makes it so special?  The serve clam chowder in bread bowls.  I know that’s not the most original idea.  But Splash Café does it right.  Their New England style clam chowder has something really unique in the flavor department.  My theory is that it’s addition of carrots that sweeten it up.  However, it could also be that mermaids make it with a touch of love.  I’m not sure, but it’s worth a stop.

The other thing that makes a visit so special is that it’s only a short stroll to the Pismo Beach Pier.  This is a place to relax and breath a lot deeper.  There is more to life than sitting inside with a remote in hand, waiting to go back to work.

Calico Ghost Town - Originally Published July, 2010

People who want to go back and relive their lives are weirdos.  Believe me, they’re out there.  I work with a few of them.  It’s not always an obvious thing, but they’re stuck in a moment from their past and they would do anything to recapture it.

Being a kid again?  The hell with that.  I like being an adult.  Sure, I need to work so I can pay my bills but along with that I get freedom.  Take the Calico Ghost Town near Yermo.  I’m a full-grown adult.  If I feel like pulling off the 15 and taking a look, that’s my business.

Joshua Tree - Originally Published January 2010

First, follow this link and listen to this song.  Did you do it?  Good.  Now you’re in the right frame of mind for Joshua Tree.  Joshua Tree is a national park that can best be described as other-worldly. 

When we first arrived, we sat and watched some of these guys climb with a few thousand dollars worth of equipment from REI.

Then this guy showed up.  All he has is a bag of chalk.  He free climbed that wall with no hesitation.

This park allows the opportunity to break away from the crowds and find some solitude.  It’s hard not to reflect on life when climbing among the boulders in Joshua Tree.

There are some more developed paths in the park.  We found one that cut back to a reservoir and then snaked past some ancient markings.

Be ready for anything.  This is the desert, after all.  We managed to find some snow on our trip.