2012: Looking Forward, Looking Back

2012.  It has been a number for so long for us and now it is finally here.  A time for looking forward but also a time to look back, reflect, and be grateful.

The big change will, of course, be the move onto Magic and the giving up of the house here in San Anselmo.  We will live on a boat; we will live in our car.  We will live on the water; we will live on the road.  There are memories for all of us in the home.  David and Bryan are leaving their first/only home.  We have memories of first steps, first parties, first day at school, first day driving, prom, graduation, back yard parties.  I guess we will always have those memories.

We are all hoping that during 2012 David has a positive change in employment; he is ready for more than the EMP can offer now and so is exploring a whole range of ideas and opportunities.

We are grateful that Bryan has gotten employment for 2012:  he starts training as a UC Davis Campus Tour Guide in January.  We are also grateful that he is thriving at Davis and the transition to "this is my only home" (because a boat does not count when you are 18) is easy.

Alan and I are packing up the stuff.  Lots for GoodWill, some for Craig's List, and a little for a storage unit in Davis.  We are saving all the favorites & mementos but giving up furniture and many books, toys, and tools.  That stuff can be replaced if and when we want in future years.  We are changing addresses on dozens of websites.  We are visiting with friends; taking hikes.

We head to Mexico by the end of next week.   Boat work for a week or two and then we splash.  We will be in Mexico until late June/early July.  And that is all the more specific our cruising plans can be.

It's a New Year; it's a new era.

Happy Holidays to All

Christmas!  The season has been every bit as wonderful as we had hoped for -- and will be a source of memories for many years to come.

Jim R joined us for dinner -- and we laughed our way through many stories.

Everyone Together!

Alan and Jimmy

David and Jimmy

I was thrilled to make dessert for the Leedy's Christmas Eve Party:  what about these gourmet apples isn't to love!  I did control myself (ie they are not over the top as I did not put the white chocolate drizzle on as I had planned).

All Good Things 

We were treated to a Christmas Eve day brunch with Barbara and John and then dinner at the Leedy's.  So much delicious food at every turn!  And friends & family!!

Bryan and Nick

Holiday Cheer!

The best Christmas I can remember!!

Holiday Happenings!

We are gearing up for the holidays!

The last couple of days have been a baking bonanza -- with cookies everywhere.  I made a few of our favorites:  Mexican chocolate cookies, snickerdoodles, cherry nut rugelach, chocolate coconut.  It was a bit of a marathon but the results are spectacular.

David and Monica arrived last night to spend Christmas with us.  It is wonderful to have everyone together.

Alan gets a special breakfast after his trip to Mexico

Christmas Cookies 2011

David, Monica, and Bryan

A Baby Shower!

What fun!  Caroline L was down from Portland for a baby shower; her first (a girl) is due February 29.  I had a wonderful time & am thankful for the chance to connect with many friends in Marin.

Every baby needs a few good books

My Mom sent booties

He LEFT Me!

Yeah, Alan left me today on the Tufesa Bus from San Jose.  In about 26 hours or so he when he arrives in Guaymas, he'll be wondering how he ever thought this jaunt might be a fun adventure?!  From San Jose he travel to Gilroy, Los Banos, Porterville something, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Indio in California.  Then onto Phoenix and Tucson -- finally into Mexico.  We've got a couple of critical boat projects underway & it seemed prudent (and FUN) for the skipper to be on site.  And it is freezing cold here and not so much there.

Alan and his snack bag -- ready to roll!

We also ushered in the Holiday Season with Les & Arlene & Barbara & John.  We go to the SF Seminary (here in San Anselmo) for their Lessons and Carols service.  We sing and sing; listen to the organ and choir; hear the Christmas scripture.  And then we come back to our house for dinner!  This is one tradition that I'm going to really miss.

Happy Holidays!

Alan and I also hiked at Big Rock and thrilled to a warm day with lovely views.

Looking west down at Skywalker Ranch

Winter Hills--gold turning to green

And I had lunch with my dear friends Sharon and Bonnie.  We all worked together at Kaiser many years ago.

Sharon and Bonnie

Thanksgiving and More

November is quickly passing.  A lovely hike on the Coastal Trail above Rodeo Lagoon; a few more boat errands and projects; and one of my favorite holidays:  Thanksgiving.  What can be a better day than one dedicated to showing love by shopping, chopping, and cooking food for dearest family?

We are also celebrating Bryan's first job:  he has been selected as a UC Davis Tour Guide!  The greatest challenge of the job seems to be walking backward while giving a peppy and heartfelt tour of the campus.  He is thrilled.  He also is celebrating his first college protest as the Davis community reacts to the pepper spraying of nonviolent protestors.

Back to the food.....I merged several recipes to come up with a new Thanksgiving side dish:  Gratin of Four Onions.  We actually tested this out on Wednesday night as I don't have enough oven space for turkey and yam casserole and an onion gratin.

Gratin of 4 Onions

1/2 lbs shallots, chopped
1 large yellow onion, sliced thin
2 bunches of leeks (I used 4 leeks but I love leeks)--green tops discarded, washed and sliced thin
2 garlic cloves
3 Tablespoons of butter
1 bag of frozen pearl onions (1 lb)  -- I only used about 1/2 of the bag
1 Tablespoon of bread crumbs
Grated cheese -- about 1/2 cup -- gruyere or other melting cheese

1 -2 cups of bechamel sauce.

In a large skillet cook the shallots, yellow onion, leeks and the garlic in the butter over low heat, stirring until the onions are soft.  (I like them really soft so give this step some time.)
Stir in the frozen pearl onions and cook until they are tender.
Take off the heat and stir in the bechamel sauce.  Season with salt and pepper.

Place in a gratin or other baking dish (oiled or buttered).
Sprinkle bread crumbs on top; next sprinkle on the cheese.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese melts and the sauce is bubbling.

I used the leftovers in a vegetable lasagna:  roasted some mushrooms, red peppers, zucchini, peas and corn.  Then stirred in the remaining onion gratin and, finally, all of that was combined with tomato sauce.  It was totally delicious!

So here are some pictures of our last few days:

Hiking along the Coastal Trail near Rodeo Lagoon

The Coastal Trail

Bryan -- the newest UC Davis Tour Guide!

Ready for Thanksgiving Dinner!

Projects Every Day

We are back & hardly laying low.

Bryan came for a brief visit and he is thriving at UC Davis.  He has settled into apartment living and backed off on the cooking "gourmet" approach to food.   Tasty and fast -- words to eat by!

Alan and I are in the thick of projects -- both house and boat projects.

So how many mittens, gaiters, snow pants, and hats do you need?

Lists:  marine, hardware stores, on line shopping.....keep it straight!

New cockpit seats -- bye bye teak!

I'm back to Rosetta Stone; got to laugh:  I have to be back in California to find time to learn Spanish!

Hello This is the San Anselmo Police!

We drove 23 hours over two days through such exciting spots as Hermosillo, Nogales, Tucson, Gila Bend, Blyth, and Santa Clarita before pulling into our garage in San Anselmo.  It was really cold (for us and this early in November) but we cranked on the furnace and fired up the hot tub.  A quick supper (sour batard bread is a fine meal) then early to bed.

About midnight I heard the shout out:  "Hello This is the San Anselmo Police" and was blinded by the powerful flashlight beam coming from the kitchen.   "Wake up Alan, it's the police!"  Or else a very nice home invasion team.  Alan is still dreaming and decides these are the guards from the marina and he needs to move the car.  He suddenly is fluent in Spanish:  "uno memento" he calls out and then looks for his car keys.  I give some advice to put his pants on and go to the back door get them to turn off the d#%&m flashlight.

Finally he is aware that he is in SAN ANSELMO!   And the police are at his back door.

Our police department has a free service to patrol houses for residents away from home.  They come by several times a week to check the doors and windows to determine if anything is amiss.  And since we always leave the back door unlocked (when we are home) the patrol stumbled upon us.  So much for that well deserved long sleep!

So we are back, working on two lists:  everything for Magic to take back in January and everything for the house so we can be moved out by January.  We will get working on those tasks just as soon as the heat kicks in and the coffee warms our bones!

On the Road Again!

This is trip # 3 to Guaymas, so we have been experimenting with new routes and throwing in a bit of en-route adventure.  Bottom line:  it is a LONG and decidedly boring drive.  As usual, the car is jammed to the ceiling with all manner of stuff:  an outboard, a refrigerator, instruments, wood, shelving and baskets from Ikea, fabric, etc etc etc.

Our route this time: Davis to Tahoe to Mammoth Lakes to Las Vegas to Flagstaff to Tucson.

We spent an afternoon with Bryan in Davis.  He and Skylar have settled into apartment living.  We baked an apple cake together and then did several errands:  to Target for a toaster, to the Davis Food Co-op to check for fresh veggies, and finally to Trader Joe's.  We had dinner together and then Alan and I headed up to South Shore for a visit with Arlene and Les.

Unfortunately it was windy, gray, and drizzly most of the next day around Tahoe.  We did walk the beach and explored the Upper Truckee Marsh.  But mostly we stayed inside and hung out.  Thanks again to Les and Arlene for hosting us.

Alan and I then left for Mammoth Lakes; determined to make it out to Devil's Postpile National Monument.  It was a great plan and this would mark our 3rd trip to Mammoth to see the Postpile.  Well, I guess you could say we again struck out!!  Last week the area had the first snow of the season and between 1-2 feet of snow fell at the monument and in the Sierras.  Sonora Pass was still closed as we drove down route 395!  Anyway, the road to the monument had been cleared and opened; but the parking lot was a snow pack and the trails to actually SEE anything were covered in snow.   I think it was the first time I have ever asked the ranger:  "Can you just drive to the parking lot and see the monument from your car?"  Nope -- hiking in snow for a mile or two was part of the drill, so forget that.  We drove to some of the Lakes close to Mammoth; enjoyed the snowy views; and figured maybe next year.  Or maybe never!

Then the LONG day:  Mammoth Lakes via Las Vegas on to Flagstaff.  We left early; fortified at Schat's Bakery in Bishop and the scenic road over the mountains to route 95 to Las Vegas.   We saw only 1 car over half the distance (45 miles) and then wow--12 cars in the next 45 miles!   But once on 95 -- well, there is no way to say BORING but BORING.  We were headed to Las Vegas for lunch:  Lotus of Siam, one of the premier Thai restaurants in the US.   It is located in a dumpy strip mall, maybe 3 miles from the downtown.  The place was packed--both locals and folks with suitcases.    Reservations required at night but lunch was no problem.  After our splurge meal:  back on the road, cross the Hoover Dam, and head south towards Kingman.   At Kingman, turn east and on to Flagstaff.  It was a full moon and it was actually a beautiful scene as the reds from the western sunset mingled with the white moon light.

Today:  Flagstaff to Tucson.  In Flagstaff we picked up 2 new solar panels and various other bits for the system that is going to keep me in cold drinks next spring and summer.  At least, that's the plan.   Hotter and hotter as we head south.  Mercury hit 99 in Phoenix and those fleece jackets, long pants, mittens and hats are gone till we head north.

Tomorrow we cross the border and by early afternoon we should be back to the boat yard!  Once we arrive our plan is to clean enough dust and dirt off the outside of Magic so we can get inside and set up for a good night's sleep.  Work duty starts on Saturday (or is it Sunday)?  Fridge, engines, solar panels, canvas work for better shade and bug control, new shelving in the galley...we have quite a list!

Les, Arlene and Alan by Lake Tahoe

A Rainbow over the Lake

Snow on the Sierra Crest

Fishing at Miriam Lake, Mammoth

Twin Lakes

Horseshoe Lake -- we walked around the Lake and through the snow!

Last View of the Sierras as we turn towards Nevada!

Making the Days Count

One yard sale and 3 loads to the Goodwill -- but this week we made great progress towards emptying the house.  And we ran the final errands to get all the bits and parts to take back to Magic.  This was all done while we experienced the first winter storm of the year:  COLD rain and wind here in San Anselmo and a foot of "Sierra Cement" in the mountains.  We are hoping the weather will warm so we can actually do a bit of hiking at Lake Tahoe and Devils Postpile.

But we jammed through our jobs so we could play a bit too.  Friday -- clear but still cool -- we did a long ride with a fair bit of climbing.  Out to Alpine Dam and then up to the Bolinas Ridge; down to Bolinas and north along route 1 to Olema.  Then back over Olema, through Samuel Taylor Park and up and over White's Hill.  I am trying to remember if there were any level sections other than the bike path through the Park.  My legs are still achy.  But the ride was beautiful mostly because the redwoods had dropped all sorts of red duff on the roads.  It was like riding on a red carpet.

Friday night we went to a Fish Taco party -- a tempting treat of what is ahead!

Today we hiked.  At 3am Alan awoke with a great hike plan:  from the top of Crown Road go UP Indian fire road eventually meeting Eldridge Grade.  Then down and around Lake Lagunitas.  Back up the Grade to the Tucker Trail and over/down/up to Crown Road.  The beauty of the hike is it has a mix of Marin specialities:  fabulous views of mountains, Marin cities, and the entire SFO Bay (today we could see the Blue Angels!), lush redwoods, dry chaparral oaks, banana slugs and black lizards.  The not so beauty of this hike was the entry price:  about a mile straight up in hot sun on an exposed fire road.  Once that was done we said, ok let's skip the lake section and trade that in for a trip to the frozen yogurt store.  A Deal.
But it was truly a lovely mix of Marin favorites.  We did do the frozen yogurt in San Anselmo and walked the Avenue.

Our  days here are about over.  We leave tomorrow; we will be in Mexico by next Friday.  And instead of snow forecasts, we will be watching for hurricane tracks!  Such is the good life we enjoy.

Burn Baby Burn

It is time for the first fire of the season!  Yup, a cold front is passing through and we are wrapping ourselves around the wood burning stove.  It is most definitely time to head south.

A week ago we were out riding the roads.  Check out our "new to us" jerseys that we found in the Big Sur campground.

I think I will be warm soon!

I Believe I Can Ride Some More

My Coast Classic:  San Anselmo to Morro Bay

Trailer Hitch Adventures

We seem to have an affinity for adventures with trailer hitches.  

We drove home from Davis yesterday -- towing the U Haul trailer, empty but rattling and bouncing around.  Almost to Marin county (on highway 37) we heard this screech and then a very different motion from the trailer; Alan pulls off the road to investigate.  YUP.  Somehow the trailer hitch had worked loose from the car and dropped on the road.  The chains held the trailer to the car (just as designed.)  But now what??  This was the same trailer hitch we have used for thousands of miles, so we aren't sure how it worked loose.

We walked along the road looking for the pin (that holds the hitch into the car).  The pin is the size of a large finger.  No luck.  So Alan disconnects the chains, we put rocks around the trailer wheels and he drives to a car parts store in Novato.  I stay with the U Haul.  I walk the road again as there is a wide shoulder;  and then sit on the guardrail near an over crossing.  Maybe 15 minutes later, a CHP car drives up and parks behind the trailer.  Someone driving by had called the situation in.

The CHPer wanted to know the story.  "Are you sure he is coming back?"
Well, I respond, I'm pretty sure.
"OK, then come sit with me in the cruiser and we will wait for him to return."
Golly, I say, this is one life experience I never wanted to have -- sitting in the back seat of a CHP cruiser.
"Don't worry, you are not in hand cuffs!"

UM.

We make small talk; he calls in to the dispatch unit and describes the situation.  I'm an "xray" in the back seat!

About 10 minutes pass and Alan drives up.  With a new trailer pin.  Gets the trailer hitch back in the car; we lift the trailer tongue onto the hitch; replace the chains....and off we go.

Checking in at the U Haul place was easy.  Sure, everything was fine until the trailer came off the car!  But there was no damage to the trailer and only a bent metal rod under the car.  So -- good to go.

Finally home and we get to read the Sunday paper.  All in a day's adventure.

Moving Bryan to Davis

We moved Bryan to Davis yesterday; he has his first apartment!  We spent the last few days sorting through his room and generating a pile of treasures, a few boxes to move, and a couple of bags of trash.
We rented a U-haul trailer on Saturday; loaded up Sky (his room mate from San Rafael) and then Bryan.  Sunday morning we drove off!

One U-Haul trailer and 3 cars filled with everything needed for college

We arrived safely and within a few hours the apartment was full of boxes, bags, and furniture.  We left Bryan and Sky to make it all fit!

Living on Guava Lane!

Alan and Bryan

Caroline still smiling!

Then it was off to lunch and then down the road.  A huge milestone for all of us.   One of those bittersweet days that marks the end of an era.  Sniffle, sniffle.

Summer Days...for a Day or Two

We've been back riding the bikes.  Our goal:  in shape and no whining en-route as we make our way to Morro Bay. We leave in just 2 weeks, so time for some serious saddle time.  Several great rides:  Tiburon Peninsula loop, Alpine Dam out and back (up and down and up and down), and then out around Nicasso Reservoir and Lucas Valley Road.  The weather finally has turned HOT and it was a great couple of rides. We packed up our gear and it all fits and doesn't weigh too much (yet, anyway.)

The chilly fog is back -- no sitting outside in the evening anymore.

The stone fruits are winding down at the Farmer's Market.  Another week or two of corn.

Bryan is moving up to Davis next Sunday.

Summer must have come and gone when we weren't paying attention.

And it is time to get back to those Spanish lessons.  I probably have forgotten everything I learned on Rosetta Stone.  Old brain cells hard at work!  But I am determined to learn Spanish, especially since we plan on doing the Central American route (not the South Pacific route) in a few years.

My Parents Come Visit

My parents, Helen and Doug, arrived in mid-August for a leisurely visit.  While there was some restful times, we were on the go most everyday!

Some of the highlights include:
a.  exploring the mosaic stairwell in SFO
b.  walking the cross Marin trail among the redwoods in Samuel Taylor Park
c.  visiting the Box Show at Gallery Route One
d.  joining several City Guides walking tours:  Nob Hill, Chinatown, and Fisherman's Wharf
e.  seeing the Picasso exhibit at the DeYoung Museum
f.  eating dim sum along Clement Street
g.  visiting my Mom's brother Jim and catching up with the Lingel family (thanks Craig and Robin!)
h.  tasting our way through the local Farmer's Markets
i.  watching movies
j.  experiencing the VIP tour at Skywalker Ranch
k.  walking the grounds and guest houses at the GL estate next door
l.  joining in the Fiesta for John B's 60th birthday
m.  celebrating anniversary #62 for Helen and Doug
n.  celebrating birthday #84 for Doug with a bread and cheese picnic at the Cheese Factory

Yup....we kept going and going.  And we also just sat on the back porch and read books and the New York Times every day.  Helen and Doug tackle the cross word puzzle and are often successful, especially early in the week.

From the airport to the stairwell!

Jim and Helen

Day in the City

A chocolate cake for every occasion:  #62 anniversary and #84 birthday

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Looking Good at the Iron Springs Brew Pub:  Saving Lives 1 Beer at a Time

Re-connecting With Sharon

After WAY too many years, Sharon and I finally met up for a delightful brunch at her home in San Francisco.  We spent the day catching up, exploring new hobbies, and brunching on delicious treats.  Thanks Sharon for an exquisite day.

Training Ride Blues

Another day riding -- but this time we threw in a few hills for good measure.  Alan had ridden this loop several years ago & funny how the uphill section got shortened with the passage of years.  Alan:  "I really want you to see this road.  It is not so steep and quite lovely in and out of trees."

So off we go:  out to Olema, down highway 1 along the coast, and then UP to the Bolinas ridge, down to Alpine Dam, UP to Pine Mountain and Meadow Club with the last bit of down to Fairfax.  Ummmm.  A whole lot of UP and DOWN on the last half of that ride.  Maybe a total of 45 miles.

My confidence began to waver along route 1 as we found plenty of headwind and a few rolling hills.  And the ridge road.  About a mile up the ridge road, I ask (not so nicely) "how far to the top?"  Alan:  "oh we are about half way there already."   I realized this was the optimistic voice of my husband as about a mile later there was one of those traffic signs with the squiggly line and note:  steep, winding road next 14 miles.  

Well, about 3+ up hill miles later..we are now close to the ridge.  A steep descent to the dam where it is level for a few hundred feet and then immediately up hill again.  Alan:  "it is not so steep on this section."  Me:  "!@#$%^&*!

But we got home mostly in one piece.  I am totally sore, especially my arms and hands from riding the brakes down the switch backs and on the steep Fairfax hill in traffic.  This loop was way out of my comfort zone, but I guess you have to push at times.

The ridge was a climb of 1500 feet, which is a lot more than we'll see down the coast in September...and hopefully by then I will not be too sore for the saddle.

Steep Ravine Hike

Kathy and Doug joined us for a Sunday hike on Mt Tam.  From the Pantol parking lot we headed down the Old Mine Trail, continued down on to the Dipsea trail,  and then hiked back up the Steep Ravine trail.  Our weather has been cool, but we lucked out with clearing skies and a fabulous day.

Lots of time for talking & walking.  A fun day for everyone.

Kathy and Doug

The trail has a bit of climbing!

Nautical Flea Market Day

Over the years and boats, we have accumulated a fair amount of boat stuff.  Bits, pieces, lines, stuff...you name it.  With the end of the house and all that storage space we paid up for a booth at a nautical flea in Sausalito market (as part of a harbor festival).  We had to arrive and unpack at 7am; it was a cold gray morning that is typical for the Bay Area.  By noon, the sun had started to break through and the wind had begun to swirl down the hills.  We sold a fair amount of the stuff:  we were especially pleased to offload a lot of the small bits as those are hard to sell via Craig's List.

We left about 1pm with $700 in hand.  Next up for these treasures:  Craig's List and then to the dump!

Let's Make a Deal!

Willkommen Beate and Florian

The Lake Louise Campground is an international crossroads for travelers; especially for adventurous and budget focused travelers.  The Campground had cooking shelters and one evening we met a German couple:  Beate and Florian.  They had bought a 1991 Toyota Land-cruiser with 260,000 miles in Seattle and are driving to Tierra del Fuego.  After a bit of conversation it became clear they would be headed to San Francisco so we offered to host them during their stay.

They managed to pack in all the sites of San Francisco and then headed south along CA Route 1.

We totally enjoyed welcoming them to our home and sharing stories of the road.

Florian and Beate at the Golden Gate Bridge