The Big Playground

On February 20, 2021 I wrote that I woke at 9:15 to one of my boys giving me a card with interesting bits of paper taped on. I got them dressed and made them a meal. By 1030 I had chatted with an acquaintance and let my father know that he would see me later.

I brought laundry to the laundromat and brought the garbage downstairs. After that I packed the kids and went over to the coffee shop on Market at Laguna. The line was long but the people watching was wonderful.

I took the boys to Page Street but they only got out to ride their scooters at Stanyan. I got coffee. We spent 3 1/2 hours with my acquaintances at the big playground. I met their friends - one of whom was my old coworker. We talked a lot.

I took the boys to the supermarket and left a coffee bag with an acquaintance whose kids are my kids’ age. Then I climbed to over Golden Gate Heights to dad’s house. He had made lasagna. I got a moment of quiet at around 7:45 and then we had pie.

 
This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

The Bridge at Romain

On February 19, 2021 I puttered around the house and made breakfast for geo-breakfast and after that I called into work on some meetings before settling in for work. After that I got some coffee and an acquaintance of mine randomly showed up. We chatted for a while.

My kids showed up a bit after that. They were having a hard time as school age children might. It was really difficult for me. They watched TV after they calmed down. When I finished work I took the boys to catch an L bus and we got off on Corbett for a walk.

I brought some beverages to drink. We crossed the bridge at Romain. One of the boys fell over as we were departing but it was OK. They convinced me to play with them when we got home. They watched TV while I made dinner.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Straight to Novato

On February 14, 2021 I wrote that that morning I was up at 10 after the alarm went off. I was very late getting up. I puttered around the room until 1230 and then I explored MacDonell. I went behind some of the offices and found Denman.

From there I climbed Ely to Sierra Mountain Parkway to have some coffee at the Starbucks and then I decided I really needed to run so I rode straight to Novato - across the river on Lynch Creek, down the 2 Petaluma Blvd. and around Haystack and Kastania to San Antonio.

The ride went easily but my bones were getting sore. I took pictures and when I got to Novato I tweeted while resting. It was three so I decided to just take the bus which came a moment after I got my coffee.

The driver was a jerk. However, I got off at the Golden Gate Bridge without incident. I rode through the Richmond in heavy fog and had dinner with my father at his house.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

I Settled at McNears

On February 13, 2021 I wrote that morning I awoke at the Healdsburg hotel at 8:30 about and ate breakfast there. I was ready to go by noon. I rode Redwood Highway across the River and under the tracks to Star Street and through Windsor.

I tweeted about the route I took to the airport. I rode gravel on the SMART right of way once. I also went the wrong way on McLaughlin and made up for it on Piner.

I texted with an old classmate and it turned out he was on his way back from Point Reyes. I met him and his girlfriend downtown after I got to Railroad Square. The meal - Indian food in the courtyard outside - was delicious. When I said bye I rode on the new bike paths built through Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Cotati.

I didn’t get to Petaluma until late. I rode Railroad and Godwin to the motel before I took McDonnell to the river path. I settled at McNears for an hour.

Later I rode back to my motel on McDonnell and picked up a beer but decided not to drink it. I had to pick my way to the hotel because it was dark when I got there.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

I Streamed the Ride

On February 12, 2021 I wrote that that morning I woke at 5:30 and 630 and did not want to get up. However I had packed so it was easy. I made tea and was gone at 6:50.

I rode Market knowing my tires needed filling. At the ferry building the bike rental place was closed. I rested on the ferry. I had sent a few tweets of the trip. I got an almond croissant and then got on SMART.

I streamed the ride for Geobreakfast. The participants on the call thought it was fun.

I got off at Sonoma County airport and went to Starbucks for an hour. Then I rode to Aviation and tried to follow the right of way to Windsor. I had some fresh air after the ride. I had coffee and then went into neighborhoods to find railroad tracks.

In the northern end of Windsor at Herb St. I got on the Redwood Highway and crossed into Healdsburg. I checked into my Healdsburg hotel room alone. Then I rode to an RV camp place in Anderson valley- just to see what they had.

I didn’t like the ride so on the way back I found a different route. I was scouting worthwhile places to stay - like campsites and motels. I took an alternate route back through Lytton and noted that neither route was much better. However, I found a good lead on a motel on the way back and looked at Dry Creek overpass.

I ate tacos and at the hotel I dropped the bike off. I settled in at Spoon Bar where I took in the view. I returned to the room.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.