China Camp Campground

On February 19 of 2022, I wrote that that morning I woke a few times but at at seven my boys were up and I so I made us a meal and I told them to watch TV.

Once the boys were settled I put a bag on the GSD and put it outside. Then I collected equipment and food – the total was 66 pounds. When I was done packing up the bike I realized I still needed to go to the store.

We to Valencia and down Market. It was initially hard on market but the green lanes were good and the boys were really fast on their bikes. I sometimes rode on the street while they were on the sidewalk. As we were nearing fifth I had the boys ride on the sidewalk. That was really hard but it seemed a bit safer. The city had blocked off the BART escalators so the path was really narrow. Around first Street I had them come back out onto the roadway.

My concerns over missing the ferry were quickly dispelled when we discovered that the boat to Larkspur was late. There were six additions to our crew for this leg and they were all on the pier when we boarded. Once the bikes were situated, we all went on the deck and took pictures.

When it was time to disembark the attendant said that they would have us roll off downstairs. I led the boys to the landing and everyone followed. Once there I got Starbucks and everyone else got a sandwich. I looked for a way to get things at the supermarket but knew I would have to split with the group. However when I met up with everyone again there were four additions who let me know that they had gone to the supermarket for us.

The boys played at the playground. I was amazed that they both climbed on the big log because they had trouble doing when they visited previously in July. When we left I led the way to Cal Park Tunnel. The ride up Anderson was OK but the transit center was terrible. I yelled at the boys the whole time for directions. I also noted that the climb before Las Gallinas was hard for them. They both lagged and lead there but in the end had to walk to the top.

From there the descent was hard for the boys and the other members of the group really helped. At Merrydale and N San Pedro Road, some of us lost the group but we shepherded the boys under the freeway before riding in the lane all the way to the 7-Eleven at Meadow drive. It was hard because all the motorists wanted to pass us.

At 7-Eleven we rested and I tried to address my kid’s demands for toys and candy. I did my best to minimize their demands but it only made things worse.

When we continued, we found a secondary street to follow and after that and it was great. We managed to get to China Camp Campground pretty quickly. One of our group was waiting for us when we got to there. We found a good spot to put our tent up and the boys did a lot to set it up. We had to do each step one at a time. I got the table set up and dinner prepared.

Sometimes I don’t get any rest but I did have a beer. Beyond a few basic problems, we were able to set up camp fine.

Near bedtime a few people we knew turned out to be in a nearby campsite. One of our group made Frito pie and I made the boys Ramen. I gave them chocolate milk before bed. The group really helped. I had fun sitting around the fire and some of the group went next-door with to say hi. I chased raccoons around until everyone went to sleep.

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.

Riding on The Mountain

On February 4 of 2022, I wrote that in the morning of the day that I wrote this my companion woke me at 6:15 and I was ready to go at 6:50. However things were frantic getting to the bus. We got to the ski resort at 7:20 and we got some coffee before going to the rental shop for wax and skis.

After that we got tickets and boarded a gondola headed to the mid mountain. We rode a bit and then rode another lift to a high spot. We took pictures.

We rode down to the base of the mountain even though we didn’t want to because I had us take a wrong turn. After that we rode to the middle of the mountain again and had a sandwich and a drink.

My companion was going really slow but I didn’t mind. I had texted my father and a few other people. Our other companion sent us a message. We rode down the backside. I nearly wiped out and then we returned to the top for a few more rides for the day.

We met a couple from Minnesota or Wisconsin and a few other people on the lifts. My companion got worse at riding on the mountain. We stayed mid mountain for some of that segment but eventually made a break for the bottom.

When we arrived at the bottom I returned my skis but ended up with the wrong shoes. The manager bought me new ones at the apparel shop. I had a drink with my companions then we took the bus back to Truckee.

Later we went to The Alibi and Bar of America. We saw trains. We played cards in the hotel common 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.

Hotel Truckee

On February 3 of 2022, I wrote that I went to bed really late and slept normal. I woke to the normal alarm and 25 minutes later discovered my companions had texted. I got up and grabbed my backpack. However I still had to do a couple of things. I walked to Market at Valencia and caught an L bus to Peet’s. Indy the barista helped me.

My companions met me then and we walked to Mission Street. We got on the bus and when we got off the wait for the train in Emeryville wasn’t long.

I took a photo of the train and sent it to my father and sisters. On board it was exciting. I cleared out stuff under the seats and drank my coffee. We switched seats with at Richmond Station and I took pictures to send my family. We had bubbly wine and whiskey.

By Martinez I had spilled coffee on myself. We discovered that the drawbridge was up. I asked about Mayscamas and at Davis we saw some new housing. We got pictures of the golden bridge. I told them about how I had ridden the causeway. We sat in the lounge car for Sacramento and Table Mountain before we had lunch. The conductor was nice. Everyone liked my Amtrak sweater.

When we entered emigrant gap we returned to the family room we had rented and toasted the ride. We couldn’t agree where Donner Summit was. We progressed through Soda Springs and passed train five at the pass. We got off soon after.

We unloaded at Hotel Truckee and called the hotel manager. Then we took a bus to 50-50 for a beer which was OK. We had barley wine. There was cauliflower and artichoke sauce. We went back to the hotel through the snow. My wayfinding was bad and I made a meme about it. The pedestrian bridge was a breath of fresh air.

After we stopped at the hotel we walked around and got some fish tacos. Later we explored the town’s nightlife. We had beers outside of Bar of America. We saw two cargo trains. The second one went east but was 120 cars with five engines - two mid train.

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 Pulgas Water Temple

On January 30 I wrote that the day previous to me writing this was a Saturday. I woke at 6:30 and contacted the Crystal Springs crew before grabbing stuff and making sure I had everything I needed.

I texted people, stopped at the liquor store and cafe and headed out to meet some of my companions at 15th. We rode Valencia to Tiffany and up San Jose to meet where we found a few others. Finally, on climbing through the Bernal Cut and up Alemany we met most of the rest of our crew.

We stopped to catch our breath in couple places: Huron near Lawrence at Sickles and at 7-11 on Hillside. The ride up Irvington and Brunswick was great but the ride on Hillside was a bit sketchy because it’s really steep. We passed through Holy Cross without stopping and texted our last two crew members at San Bruno BART who we had no trouble meeting. However, the connection at the station is terrible.

I got to know some of the new people on the ride as I led the group across El Camino to the Federal Building on Commodore to Bayhill Road and we climbed to Shady Creek. Sadly, the path to the back entrance sucked because of a curb and also a lot of bushes. Likewise, I noted that the climb up Rosewood was tough.

At the top several people indicated that Sneath was better. I was skeptical. All of these problems were the source of much conversation. Meanwhile the line for sandwiches was way long so I got bread and cheese instead. We shoved off after we put some beers in our bags.

When we got on San Andreas Trail and headed out, I noted that this segment was not especially interesting. However, I did point out Portola Gate to the group and we also encountered a snake!

After this I circled up at a couple of spots where the trail turned to dirt and then we took the neighborhood streets to get to the Crystal Springs Trail. I noted that when we entered the park again we climbed up to the first spot and I got some photos. After that we rode very quickly down to the dam on San Andreas and did a group photo. Some of us were very hungry at this point. So, we continued down to the picnic spots at my suggestion.

Everyone had a good time, even though the spot was shaded. I snuck around in the woods for a bit and snacked on my pretzel buns and ate the popcorn and beer people had offered. I spoke a little bit to everyone and then we wrote to see the second biggest Laurel in the state.

We made one stop before getting to Crystal Springs Dam where we drank beer and congratulated ourselves. Along Cañada Road we met up with a late arrival to our group from Palo Alto, who had texted that he was at the Pulgas Water Temple.

The path in that area is separate on the far side and then takes a separate road. I spent a lot of time occupying the road and we managed to restrict cars from passing us all the way up to 92. After that I shot past everyone to go through the greenlight – thankfully everyone made it. A couple of our group were really slow.

We rode to Pulgas Water Temple and our newest companion met us on the road. We sat under the temple with refreshments and snacks. I noted that the well was actually a steel great. Later we headed past Filoli and then some of our group indicated that they wanted to go to Caltrain as fast as possible so we upped our speed. I noted that we were really good with the time.

We rode as far as Edgewood and I fell back to check on the slower people. They were fine but the group had spread out because everyone had different constitution. At La Cañada College we had lost them but we were able to wait. I felt bad because a couple of people didn’t hear us as we climbed into the college but we went back and found them.

We continued to the top and over to Farm Hill. The downhill on that stretch is really steep and a few people got a head as we passed Stockholm Park so we missed my preferred turn. However it was OK because one some of the others took over and we found a side street as soon as the last of our group appeared.

When we finally said our goodbyes at the train station we barely made our train.

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.

New Year’s Eve at the Tennis Courts

On January 1 of 2022, I wrote that the night before I went to Polk Street to speak with an acquaintance via zoom. Some others with whom I had plans were on as well. When I was finished with my burrito I rode up to Hyde St, Mini Park and my planned companions met me there for a beer.

Then we celebrated New Year’s Eve at the tennis courts and later we drank more bubbly while yelling at cops in Aquatic Park. We walked and then later they got some bike share and followed me back to their house where we had some Maloort on the roof. I got home at 3:15.

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.

They Made Tree Ornaments

On December 19, 2021 I wrote that that morning I woke in my rented suite at an inn in San Anselmo with my kids nearby. I didn’t wanna get up and didn’t move so eventually my kids just got dressed. Our traveling companions were busy so when we were ready to go they were checking out of their room too.

We then headed over to the coffee shop we had been going to for the previous couple of days. This time there was a jazz band. We ordered but somehow the order got messed up. I got the boys pastries. There was tension when the food came and the boys knocked over some water but it was OK.

Once we’d gotten cleaned up and packed we rode Rroute 20 all the way to Larkspur Landing. I got coffee and we sat listening to Christmas carols while the boys did crafts. There was a Christmas market and this one lady had a craft table where they made tree ornaments.

We took the ferry a bit later. Transferring our bikes to the other level was easy because I was so experienced. I had purchased some pens at the bookstore so we colored some sheets I had picked up at the coffee shop.

Later we hung out and said bye at Civic Center Park

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.

Down to Deer Park

On December 18, 2021 I wrote that that morning I was awake at 7:30 or eight. I didn’t want to get up but my companions pretty much took the boys so I left with them.

We went to the coffee shop which had a band playing. We ordered big meals but I just had a pastry. The music was good. I texted people pictures.

When we were done we made a stop at the cigar and whiskey shop before returning to the hotel. I took one of the boys on a walk around the neighborhood to look at the thrift store and running store. I needed a sweater but didn’t find anything.

We then left for Phoenix Lake zigzagging past the seminary. The park was fun and when we made it to the dam there was a van set up as an information center. They provided us with some maps and information. I looked at pipes which had been left behind some of the buildings there.

Later we rode past a log cabin and up Shaver Grade. The mountain bikers were mostly older but sometimes they were antagonistic. I had been worried about time and how hard of a grade it would be but by the halfway point it turned out to be pretty easy. We stopped at the top which was called five corners.

We rode down to Deer Park and had some carbonated wine, sandwiches and snacks. The boys played with a soccer ball rolling around and we looked at the maps from the information center. There were chickens.

We rode into Fairfax and stopped at a taproom for some french fries and a little bit of mac & cheese. The boys were crabby and my phone died. We yelled at motorists on the way back to San Anselmo before picking up ice cream sandwiches.

After I got the boys ready in bed we played music and cards late into the night.

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.

We rode to San Anselmo.

On December 17, 2021 I wrote that the plan had been the plan had been to for me to take the kids to the ferry building to meet our companions. However, when I put the kids on the bike and we rode to the ferry building, there was a fire alarm so the five of us had to rush when we boarded the boat.

The trip was sedate but I had to carry the bike to the level where we were getting off. We rode to San Anselmo from the ferry terminal in Larkspur then. The boys were in great spirits at the bike shop when we got inner-tubes. After that we climbed the hill and went through Ross.

At San Anselmo we checked into the hotel and went to a bookstore. We also went to Taco Jane’s where we had enchiladas, quesadillas and tequila flights. We later went for gelato before returning to the hotel to wind down with our new books and, once the kids were asleep, our favorite card games.

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.

Headed to San Pedro

On November 21 I wrote that I met my companions in the lobby for breakfast at 9:15 and then we checked out at 11:15.

When we rode out we followed the frontage on Highway 1 to Miramar. It was only hard in one place. We considered coffee there but decided to ride to Princeton and go to La Presse in El Granada. A couple of us had bagels but one person had crab.

We rode to the road named “Farmer’s Daughter” via couple of dirt paths and ended up at Ridge Road. From there we climbed to Alamo on a horse path. We debated this route but determined San Vicente Creek may have been better. When we got to Sunshine Valley Boulevard we headed back to San Pedro.

After crossing the creek we took the easy way. I caught my breath at the intersection at the bottom of the biggest climb where we had the option of taking a shorter steeper route called North Peak Access road. We opted for the easier climb up Pedro Mountain Road to the top. I was mesmerized by the section near the top with several outcrops of exposed rock. I stopped in the shade there.

I met my companions at the top and they put on their helmets before the descent. At Linda Mar we just pushed onwards to Rockaway which was easy. We then visited 7-Eleven near Sharp Park and looked at a number of other routes as options but found nothing

I noted that Palmetto Street was OK. We went through the RV park in Pacifica to begin our climb up Skyline Boulevard which was extremely difficult. I dechained. We all agreed when we got to the top that it was the hardest part of the trip.

We made it to Westmoore very quickly. We looked for an alternative to get to Colma BART but it was not very easy. I rode home from 16th St. BART and we met at bar on Fillmore later to discuss the trip.

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.

Planet of The Apes

In the morning of November 20, 2021, I wrote that my riding companions texted to say they were late when I had finished packing. We were headed to climb Planet of The Apes. I waited at Civic Center drinking coffee until they arrived and then we rode to Daly City and onward to South San Francisco. Then we rode up to King Street and Westborough.

The route we chose went behind baseball fields and had stairs and was not fun. Also, at the top, Westborough was too steep. We rested and rode to College - which I had forgotten - then we took Sharp Park Boulevard. We found the ride to Rockaway Beach pleasant and we discussed the design of the waste treatment plant before climbing the switchbacks. I told my companion’s about family gatherings there from when I was younger.

At Linda Mar, one of us had a flat so we had coffee and fixed it while watching the surfers. Then we rode through the Safeway parking lot and over to the trailhead Planet of The Apes (also known as San Pedro Mountain trail) was crowded. I rode quickly to the powerlines and we rested. They went ahead to the next segment. On the climb I would ring my bell and they would return their rings and at the top we found some shade.

The ride down was epic and there was a steep part then we rode what I realized was the local bus route through Montera along Sunshine Valley Road. We also went behind the airport to Pigeon Point and we found that the ride around the bay was really good. The sun was setting as we passed the RV Park and the coast route turned out good too and while we found that the Miramar Beach bridge was out, highway one had a path protector. At the hotel we unpacked and raced to the beach to catch the last light. I slipped in the mud on the way back, so had to change my pants at the hotel.

Later we braved Half Moon Bay’s Main Street. After looking at a couple restaurants, we settled on a Mexican place called Cantina at San Benito House and visited the brewery/tap room and listened to live music. We finished the night then at Cameron‘s which was adjacent to our hotel. The place was full of British memorabilia and finished the night playing cards in the hotel lobby.

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.

Mimosas, Coffee and Pancakes

On October 10th, 2021, I woke up at Pantoll campground at 7:45 about. I had slept on the ground next to my companion‘s tent.

In the parking lot a running group was talking perhaps a bit too loud. We coped well enough. I snacked while my companions got ready. By the time the last of us was up we were nearly packed. We quickly checked the site and headed to Old Stage Road and passed a lot of families headed to West Point Inn. When we got there we sat out back after we ordered. We had mimosas, coffee and pancakes with a few sausages. I was really happy with the meal.

We stood for a bit taking in the beauty of the bay before rolling to Fern Creek for some fresh air in the shade. After that we descended to Summit Road with only a few stops. We saw planes at Double Bowtie for Fleet Week. From there we descended Summit to Mill Valley and onward to Sausalito, where we had a beer at No Name bar.

After the boat trip we got some beer and rode to Duboce Park. I made a quick stop at home to drop my bags. Some of our friends had put together a big birthday spread. I was happy to see them. We them break down with a big load of tables and chairs after the party.

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.

Walk and Roll to School Day

On October 6 I wrote that that morning I woke up with a bit of a headache and went straight to to the coffee shop. I had work that day. However, at around two I headed to get my boys from kindergarten.

It turned out it was Walk and Roll to School Day and I ended up having a marvelous time. The three of us rode most of Webster and Buchanan Mall. Some lady yelled at us from her SUV that my kids shouldn’t ride bikes.

That afternoon I made Ramen for dinner and gave the boys ice cream. They watched a lot of TV.

 
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.

Town of Point Richmond

On September 6 of 2021, I wrote that the night before I noted that the pizza had arrived. The away team had brought a salad and some veggies and my boys actually ate a slice. I gave them other food too. Then I got them dressed and said good night which was hard because of all the cleaning and crouching.

I sat with the party until our hostess arrived and made us “nachos.” A couple of us tidied up and we discussed our grand visions.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I noted that the raccoons went through our mess in the late night. I took two pictures as I woke up of the sunrise. Our host tidied when we got up. I didn’t really make anything to eat because there were bagels.

We ate a lot for breakfast but it was mostly snacky stuff. Our host took everyone on a hike to the hill top and the beach while I tidied my things and started packing. The party called to me from the hilltop directly above the tents.

I tried to organize to get ready to go but in the end had to rush. We rode the peninsula back. I got some photos of East Brother Island.

The boys did really well on the hills in point Molate. However, I did have to ferry the boys up a few hills. When we reached the town of Point Richmond we found a pub we liked.

We sat in the sun at first but the other side of the bar became shaded very soon. I ate someone else’s sandwich accidentally and had to buy her a beer to make up for it. We met a guy we knew from the twitter.

The group rode to Harbor Boulevard and then to the Richmond Ferry. We waited about an hour drinking beer playing hide and seek. The trip to San Francisco was great. At Market Street we rode to Patricia's Green. We got some great photos with the sun on Grove Street. Where we said goodbye
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 Richmond-San Rafael Bridge

On September 5 2021, I wrote that the day before I woke to find we were ready to go on a trip to Marin and Contra Costa Counties. I fed my boys breakfast and we headed out the door.

By the time we were ready some of our party arrived outside my apartment. Our bags were overflowing. I got the team to take Elgin to The Wiggle. We made good time to Eighth and Fulton where we met our ride host but we were still 15 minutes later than planned.

We stopped at our host’s place and then we to stop at Anza and 14th for a flat. However the rest of the way to Golden Gate Bridge was great. Some motorcyclists gave us a thumbs up and aside from a group of snotty roadies the bridge was oddly pleasant.

I asked the ride host to lead until the far side but left him behind as I went to the Sausalito sewage plant where we took in the wind. We all had a good time then. After that we went through Sausalito stopping at Mike’s bikes and Sycamore Street where the ride’s hostess met us.

I timed my crossing of Blythedale well. I got ahead of everyone at horse hill and our host had trouble following because he usually goes down to the freeway from there. Instead we took Meadow Sweet and crossed at Mount Tamalpais Boulevard.

Initially the plan was to take Miller but I asked to go use Lucky street because it is wider.

We stopped at New Wheel where I got a bell and filled my tires. The mechanic said hi again and the clerk was really nice. We went to the brewery then and I just got the boys chicken strips on top of my salad. I also bought a kilt lifter.

After that I followed our ride host to Francisco Road and waited for the others while she went ahead to meet her others in our party.

The six of us crossed the Richmond San Rafael bridge here and my electric cargo bike allowed me to pass everyone and even some of the riders ahead of us. However when I got to the top of the first towered section I decided to sit with the boys for a moment and ask them how they were. After that I started heading towards Richmond and let the party catch up to me.

From there our host went to go find the rest of the part at the campsite and I took the boys to Point Richmond with two of our party to go shopping. Both of my boys were very displeased over our diversion. At the grocery I got good things for the kids.

The ride to the Terminal Four campsite was OK but the groceries were impeding my petals. One of my boys was very good at helping me. We enjoyed the ride. There were old railroad tracks.

The site was much different than I had imagined. Our party gained some member’s and others departed by automobile. The good news was that we had received some bikes for my boys and they had a playmate now. I tried to set up my tent but the turnaround was tough. After that we all went to the barbecue place. The trail was actually pretty straightforward. We parked at ordering was a little bit harder though. We got some beer and the meal turned out to be OK. I didn’t eat much.

Unfortunately, one of my boys scraped his hand and fell apart. The whole entire meal was very tense because he continued to scream at me. I had to hold him in my arms and he refused to let me look at his hand. I made a bunch of mistakes. I thought it was very sad. In fact my other boy also kind of fell apart.

I told the boys bikes and then we went back to the campsite. Some of the others in the party helped out giving him a Band-Aid. However, getting the boys to bed was extremely difficult. The others were extremely supportive. We drinking beer until 130 after that.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I put on extra clothing layers and at 7:30 the boys and I got up. I put stuff away until 930 and then made the boys oatmeal. I also eventually tried to set up my second tent - first near the water but later settled on an area near the tents. The boys really helped.

Our hostess let us know she had a pressing issue to address and headed out with her son. We cleaned up when she left and the rest of us returned to the barbecue. We had mac & cheese and beer. We waded in the bay and looked for beach glass. It was really hot and eventually had to seek shade with the bikes.

When we got back to the camp some of us opted to meet our hostess in point Richmond and the rest of us played with the kids.

 
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 party was fun.

On September 1 2021, I was done winding down when an acquaintance suggested we sync our viewing of Star Trek I. We set up our separate TVs and texted throughout the movie. That lasted until 11:15 and I went to bed around 12:15.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I woke up to my boys and got up a bit later. I was slow to get ready but soon had them fed and fetched them their larger backpacks per their mother‘s wishes.

We rode to school without incident and on the way back I went to the cafe when I was done running up Page to Broderick.

While working from home that day, I did laundry and stopped by the other coffee shop. Later I did a grocery run. I wrote up steps and tried to prepare for my coming camping trip with a trip to REI.

I took my e-cargo bike and met some acquaintances for a party in Telegraph hill. We met up at at Cafe Trieste before riding up the hill. The party was fun. We had appetizers and we toured the hostess’ house. The dog barked.

We debated city politics like Great Highway and ate a meal of mac & cheese and veggies. We played a game of chameleon which was fun. I lied a lot. We met the roommate.

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 SNRR Tunnel

On August 15 2021, they wrote I went to my neighborhood cafe 915 and hopped on BART to meet a local cycling advocate at a coffee shop in Berkeley. We took Keith and the right of way to Montclair.

The ride was easy. We documented the signs along the path and identified where the SNRR tunnel is on Saroni. He showed me how do use Colton to Skyline and we hung out for a moment before going down Pinehurst to find the East Portal. I made a thread of pictures on Twitter.

When we returned to Pinehurst and Skyline I shared the Evergreen route with him. I said bye after riding with him down Crockett to look at the old right of way there. I went and had a meal at Barney’s and rode home to Civic Center.

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.

Samuel P Taylor Park

On August 1 2021 I wrote that the night before I played cards with my companions until late in Samuel P Taylor Park.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I woke up on my tarp before anyone else. I started making coffee after putting my stuff away and my companions woke up. We interacted with the others until they left.

I finished packing only after we finished our coffee and oatmeal. My companions sat in the tent for a bit and then we cruised around the campground and then left.

We went to The Inkwells and jumped in. We say saw a couple of through bikers there. Some Cyclists yelled to us from the bridge. They wanted to know where we had gone. I assumed they had seen our bikes. We were really happy to swim.

When we left we rode to Lagunitas and checked our tires. Then we rode to Woodacre. I checked Castro street in Forest Knolls and we took Meadow and Creamery.

We got snacks and ascended White Hill. I managed traffic while we were climbing. Then we took the railroad grade past Fairfax Falls and the new bridge over Hunter Creek. We had a hard time with gravel at Baywood.

On our way through the Manor tract, I showed my companions where I thought the funicular had been. We went to the biker bar but they had no food because of a power outage so we went to Naves.

After that we took bike route 20 to Larkspur Landing where we went to the Marin Brewery. I ate my fish and chips sparingly. We saw an acquaintance on the ferry. I said bye to them at Grove Street.

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.

Jumped in Inkwells

On July 31 2021, I wrote that when our companion had returned I had opened my beer. She had had a lot of anxiety from not knowing how to legitimately occupy the hike or biker site. We played cards for an hour and went to sleep. I slept hard but it was OK.

I woke up at 7:45 when my alarm went off. I took too much time packing and my companions woke up with me and then made oatmeal. We also made coffee which was good. I had cream in my coffee.

We saw a Ranger but I wasn’t able to ask about the bike site. We took visited the veterans bench and packed up to climb to Pantoll.

The ride was lightly trafficky but most of the motorists were nice. We went the Mountain Amphitheater and then climbed Ridgecrest Boulevard. There were two spots where I thought we were at the top. Most of the ride was me chasing my companions. I was trying to make certain that they could stop and take pictures.

After we got to Fairfax Bolinas Road we got on the Bolinas Ridge Trail. It was muddy for all of the Audubon Canyon section. There was a big rise then and it was tough until McCurdy Gulch.

It was muddy and rolling and we had to dismount once. Then it started going down. There was a runner and some foraging Cyclists. We saw a water tower near Nine Gulch Rd..

After that it was pretty easy. We saw a lot of people and then we found ourselves at a gate which was likely McCurdy Gulch trail. We ate chili and had a bit of coffee. I have been enjoying the wonderful air and took time to myself.

We then rode to Randall Trail where I got a picture. We noted that the path was really well developed. We speculated that cars go through a lot and it’s been there a long time.

At Shafter Grade I got a photo and then we descended. We had to engage our brakes the whole way. I had estimated it was a 12% grade but when we followed up later back home it turned out in some places it was 25%! It was good trail but we had to stop at least three times.

I got photos of the trail and some really large redwoods. There was a spot that was wasted - nearly 20% and two of us had to dismount and help each other.

At the bottom we celebrated and took photos, cheered and did circles. We went to Kent Lake to enjoy the dam. The upper road connects to the Patrick dam road but we took the other way in. We also passed a spot where we heard fairies playing music.

At Shafter Bridge we got in our trunks and jumped in inkwells. We saw high school kids jumping in. They were really nice and great jumpers.

We rode Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Lagunitas and had Indian food. Then we bought sandwiches and beer at the store. The ride on the Boulevard was fast.

I noticed that Cross Marin was easy and fast but my companions lost some stuff out of their bikes.

At the campsite in Samuel P Taylor Park we set up and got a permit. I noted that there were four people there with us. We got ready to play cards.

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

Tamalpais Avenue and Onward

On July 30th of 2021, I rode to Mercury and texted with my traveling companions. I went home and packed. I threw the garbage away. I was late but I tried to do a good job. I left at 11:30 and the bike wqas miraculously manageable.

I made the coffee shop by 1145 and we got coffee before riding Octavia and Eddie to Fillmore and Clay. We took Arguello gate and Emigrant Overlook to Ralston to the bridge. We didn’t stop as we got on the east causeway.

There was construction on both sides of the bridge. Workers flagged us as they did construction. We took Alexander Drive at full speed.

We entered Sausalito easily but headed to Molly Stone’s where we got sandwiches and light bubbly drinks.

We rode to Mike’s Bikes to fill our tires. We got equator coffee in Mill Valley and bought what we could or needed for the ride.

A few hiccups later and we climbed Summit to Tamalpais Avenue and onward.

We stopped twice. We took a lot of photos at Fern Canyon Road – which is on the railroad grade - and the ride became hard when the road became dirt.

We went out and back around three creeks and wore ourselves out getting to the West Point Inn. We ate snacks there and chatted before descending to Bootjack.

My companions wanted to take the trail but I told them to descend to the maintenance building on Bootjack creek and then we went around behind the garage and followed a rocky path until we got into the campsite. Unfortunately there were no open sites so we continued to Pan Toll and ate our sandwiches.

Two of us left the campsite to explore and get more information which turned out to be really hard for our companion.

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.

We Returned to The Inn

On July 12, 2021 I wrote that my kids and I started getting the bike ready early but was a bit too lazy for my own good. Then we went to the coffee shop. They got bored fast so we returned to the Inn to finish packing before thanking the proprietor and riding through Ross.

I took the old right of way which lead us to the slough and onward to Larkspur. The boys enjoyed the view but kept asking about playgrounds. As I was trying to catch the ferry, I went straight to the landing where there is a small play area and coffee. It is just three massive logs but all the kids like it.

I discovered that the boat came at 3:15 because it was not Sunday. So since I had to wait quite a bit of time at this point I got a burger and fries. I enjoyed people watching. After three hours I got the boys loaded up on the bike and we caught the ferry. It was easy enough getting on and I took pictures.

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.

Top of White Hill

On July 11, 2021, I wrote that I went to sleep with the boys and attend at nearly 11 the night before. While I did wake a few times in the night, the boys slept the whole time.

I got up at eight in the morning and all four through bikers had gone. I spent until 11 getting ready to go. The boys disassembled the tent. At first they only got into the trees – there is a cathedral grove next to the site – but after I made oatmeal they wandered down to Lagunitas Creek.

We had breakfast - me coffee and the boys some oatmeal. The boys made a mess of themselves in the water so I made them stand on the picnic table as I finished up. Then, after throwing the garbage away, we went to the Inkwells near the Shafter bridge. The boys didn’t want to jump in the water but they saw me in there and did it eventually.

There were a lot of people there. Some lady kept jumping off the rocks. A couple of other ladies wanted to help dunk my children in the water. When we left I checked out Shafter Grade. Then we sped up Drake Boulevard to Lagunitas. However, the boys wanted to go to Whittaker and get some ice cream so I flew down the highway as possible fast as possible and also I got them M&Ms.

After that we went to the top of White hill. The descent was flawless. I clocked 40 miles an hour without peddling. We went down Olema, Manor, Sequoia and Park. The boys played while I straightened my mind.

We went to the inn and got comfortable. Then we went to the laundromat and Pizzalina for dinner. When we switched the laundry we went to Millennium Park and finally got frozen yogurt before returning to the inn with our clean clothes.

I noticed that we were done for the day and wound down. I stepped out to get beer. I was alone after 11.

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.

A Place called Inkwells

On July 10, 2021, I wrote that I had thought I’d leave the bike in the back of the hotel but Millennium Park was too far so I got it out anyway. I stopped at the liquor store and then the park was mostly empty - it was literally the hottest day of the year..

The boys found some fun but then an impromptu birthday party showed up - parents with young children like my boys and I. I picked up a few more cans at the wine shop on Sir Francis Drake. I noted that the playground was just like the one in Santa Barbara downtown.

The boys followed the kids around and I chatted lightly with the partygoers. I helped the boys climb on top of the nearby dugout and chased them a bit. As the people started leaving I chatted a bit more. One guy had an e-cargo bike - a Benno. I took the boys to the pizzeria and then Roberson Park where we got ice cream. We then wandered over to City Hall Park.

Back at the hotel, I read the boys story and once they had gone to sleep, I stayed up late. I had been having a hard time because of the sun and heat.

In the morning the boys were really energetic. I took my time getting up and ready. Once we were packed, we headed to a nearby coffee shop and listened to jazz. It was lively and the boys drank their apple juice enthusiastically.

We stopped at the liquor store on the way out of town and later made a short stop at Yolanda station. Then we got more food at the Fairfax Market. I noted that things were good up to then. The turns of through Fairfax were also OK.

I stopped at White Hill Elementary and took pictures and sent a tweet. The climb was easy enough but at the Hunter Creek bridge I had trouble and the boys became displeased at my having them walk along a narrow section. However they still were OK with the climb.

The next leg was a downhill and intense climb with a bit of sand. I almost lost traction but I climbed all the way to the top of White Hill with no real problem. Some mountain bike rider was behind me rooting for me the whole way!

There were Cyclists at the top and they seemed rather impressed with us. I had the boys stand in the shade. The downhill to Whittaker involved hot wind and that put us out. I bought ice cream at the store.

We went in three times: ice cream, napkins and snacks. The last time I knocked one of the boys shoes off accidentally and that set a hard 20 minutes in motion. The whole episode was emotionally draining. After trying to negotiate with them to stop being unhappy, I just put them on the bike and took them to a shadier cooler spot – they were screaming the entire time. Then I fed them their M&Ms and tried to be kind. I was not happy.

From there I gave upon placating them and set out to traverse the San Geronimo Valley. When they calmed down from the sun and trauma, I looked back to discover that they had fallen asleep on the bike. I found this to be the hardest leg of the trip. I stopped a couple of times to get them to wake up.

As it was one of the hottest days of the year for Marin and I had the children out in the hot air and sun, it seemed like it may have been inevitable to have a lot of trouble. The hardest leg was in the town of Lagunitas - immediately next to the park where we planned to camp. I got the boys awake and ordered sandwiches. I then found a small picnic table.

From there we got back on the highway - there was still plenty of sunlight in the day. We took our time on the turns along the boulevard and found our way to the Cross Marin Trail. I had been nervous about getting a site at Samuel P Taylor but the ride was really great. I discovered that people swim at a place called Inkwells. However I just kept on going.

I got a site really easily and then we set up the tent and organized. Eventually I had to rest so I offered the boys a sandwich. Unfortunately they rejected it. When I realized I had no recourse it made me sad. I texted friends and family. My dad had been texting stuff to me around then so I sent him a response.

I snapped out of my sadness when we visited Tocaloma. I got a photo but my phone died – I didn’t have a charger for my spare battery but the battery was full.

I rode back quickly. The bike campsite was full of characters then and we all shared stories and experiences. One couple suggested to one of the others who was headed to half Moon Bay that they ride together.

I made ramen and the boys ate some. I also cleaned up and tidied while talking to the other campers. Another person had gone to sleep as the sun was setting and eventually the others did too.

The boys crawled into their sleeping bags as soon as they had a chance. I got them dressed and as the light started to dim it was time to write and go to bed for me too.

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.

We Rode to San Anselmo

On July 9, 2021, I wrote that after I got home and gave the boys the wind down I sat around dreading the trip I was planning to Marin. Unlike the trip to Folsom, I had no support and no set itinerary. In the end I just went to bed after a short time alone.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I was up at 7:45 and miraculously had enough time to get packed and the kids dressed and fed. I skipped making coffee but I did toss the garbage.

The ride to the ferry building was easy. Bluebottle did not really help – I wasn’t able to get my coffee before it was time to board. The terminal was different so I had to unpack and carry the bike up to the deck.

At the landing when we were loaded I went to Starbucks and we hung out in the play area. The boys and I stopped at the ferry terminal to confirm the schedule for when we were going back.I sent messages to friends and then we went to New Wheel to fill my tires. Then we went to a supermarket to get some sunglasses and a few other things.

When we were ready, we rode to San Anselmo and checked in to the hotel there. By the time I finished writing, the boys were being crazy in our room and we needed to visit a park.

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.

Railtown

On June 27, 2021, I wrote that the morning I wrote this I was up early. When the boys were finally up, we ate and I started packing. Later when my sisters’ families finished up, I was parked in the way so had to go quickly.

I drove to dads mountain cabin to get him. I also had to do some chores. My sisters arrived right after me. We were all distracted by the state of the house. I went through a big pile of material by the door.

We all left and I brought the boys to Rail Town in Jamestown. Dad sat in the car listening to the Giants and A’s game. We saw a Hetch Hetchy utility car and witnessed the train going out. We also saw it coming in later.

The drive to the city was boring but I did see a path near Tracy, one near Mills college that I liked. I unloaded and made dinner after unpacking.

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.

Golf with The Boys

On June 26, 2021, I wrote that that morning I woke up and got the kids dressed faster than previously. They went downstairs and started harassing their cousins but I managed to keep them from doing it too much.

I made them cereal and bad coffee after toast and eggs. A short while later my older sister and I made a plan to go to Twain Harte. On the way I told her about my life and made a quick call to dad. When she dropped us off and returned to the lake with my nieces. My brothers-in-law had taken my nephews to the river.

I had a cup of coffee and brought the boys to the pool. We spent most of the pools business hours swimming. Just like the day before, I enjoyed the people watching. Though they initially seemed averse to doing so, the boys got in pretty quickly and they both showed me how good they were at swimming.

Dad showed up a few hours later. I let the boys have one more quick swim and the four of us went to the ice cream shop and I took the kids to the playground until my older sister showed up. My younger sister said dad had pooped out, got dinner alone. I also learned that he had gone home without me and had left me the car.

Eight of us played mini golf with us then. It was a really cute experience because we had to let everyone else play through. When the game was over my older sister sat in the fourth seat in dad’s car and the boys fell asleep as we headed back to Cold Springs where my younger sister’s husband had prepared a barbecue dinner.

One of my nieces had tried to help me offer food to the boys who were crabby. Later I started winding down. While everyone else played trivia or cards. We had fun. I started drinking orange juice. We watched anchorman.

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.

Going to Cleo's Bath

In the morning of June 25, 2021, the boys checked on me before waking one of their cousins up. I spent some time gathering stuff together - clothes etc. I wanted to get them fed and dressed. By the time I had succeeded one of my brothers-in-law had started bacon and eggs.

I ate and tried to save some for the boys but they had had a bagel and a full bowl of cereal by then. My father was on his way to the rental from his mountain house by 11 so I prepared a bag for the days trip to the lake.

The boys were playing battleship. My older sister had a splitting headache. I noted to my younger sister that I needed to go shopping and she told me to go fast – she also told me to get her a hat.

I managed to be ready by 11:15 and got the boys out the door. They were displeased that my younger sister and her husband were not coming and wanted to watch baseball with their cousin. However, they had gotten into dad’s car by the time I got everything outside.

At the lake the boys opted to stay in the car with dad. It was not terribly hot. I bought snacks and sunglasses - hats for my younger sister and I. I bought stuff at the sports shop. I also introduced my older sister to a neighbor of dad’s mountain house and the woman who ran the coffee shop, when they happened to be nearby.

At the boat dock my younger sister was nearly ready to get us a pontoon boat. Ten of us got on the boat while dad was parking. Unfortunately, dad never showed up. My older sister said he likely went home because he never likes getting on boats. We went to the lake’s inflow and we looked for a dock. We saw the dam.

A short while later, a resort worker came out on a motor boat to tell us dad was waiting at the dock and so we went out to pick him up. My older sister’s husband found the dock near the lake inflow then. My niece and I took the boys up to the bridge on the river. We saw some hikers going to Cleo’s bath - a high mountain pool nearby. I took a dip with the boys in the river. They loved it. I noted that getting out there was a real hike.

When we got back to the dock my sisters and the niblings were all there. We all hung out on the point near the dock until it was time to go. There had been a bit of thunder and the resort told us we couldn’t be on the lake in the event of lightning.

We headed back and during the transition to the car, as I prepped the boys, we saw the hikers on their way back from Cleo’s bath. Dad drove us to my sister’s rented cabin 25 minutes away.

When we got there the boys played battleship and we had ribs. My nephew had prepared them. I gave the boys s’more‘s and a kinder egg after that. I tried to get them interested in bed and started winding down. One of the niblings read them a book. Once they were asleep we watched Sherlock Holmes.

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 Cold Springs House

June 24, 2021, I wrote that I had had trouble sleeping. The sun was blazing through the window and I had to adjust the curtains. The boys got up and snuggled and then became crazy everywhere in the house. Dad made coffee.

I made the boys Cheerios, tidied and cleaned the counter and stove. I did dishes and eventually dad started to leave for milk and I insisted we all go together. We stopped at the local cafe and the gas station (all of which I remembered well from childhood and college). Then we made a plan to bring the boys to the pool. I also had a brief phone call with my younger sister who would be arriving later that day.

We returned to the cabin. Dad called his cousin and I cleaned a lot. The boys got into trouble almost continuously.

When our stuff was more or less packed and I had a bag for town, we got the boys into the car and went to the pool. Dad went to the supermarket and I got a coffee. Then I took the boys to the pool and stayed there for a couple of hours. They didn’t want to do much swimming but I eventually got them to jump off the edge and do some paddling. They got more brave eventually.

Dad came and got us and we I got the boys some candy. We went to the cabin and I started packing for the Cold Springs house my younger sister had rented. I noted that she had nearly arrived.

I drove dad, the boys and I the pizza place in Cold Springs then. It was the first time I ate in a restaurant in about 1 1/2 years. I got a salad and had a piece of pizza. I was so happy with how the boys were behaving that I got them Pepsi. Dad gave them fries. One of the boys asked for chips which it turned out were actually on the menu and called home fries.

The boys made a mess but so did my niece. Dad dropped us off at the rental and went back to his house. My niece read paw patrol to the boys. I made our room and wound down before sitting outside with my brother-in-law and older sister and her family. I noted that her daughter would be arriving the next day with her best friend.

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 House in Twain Harte

On June 23, 2021 I wrote that I wasn’t asleep until 130 the night before but mostly because I wasn’t trying. I did get a few pages dictated.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this, after my kids went off to play, I got up to find their stuff all over the floor. I got it all away and then fed them. They had gotten dressed on their own.

I collected food and other things for traveling and then started putting stuff in bags. The boys packed their own sleeping bags. I did dishes, threw the garbage away and brought my bags down to the car.

Dad drove us to Highway 238 and over the Altamont pass just fine but once we got into the pass traffic was problematic because he follows too close. When we ran over a 2 x 4 which had somehow fallen into the freeway on Altamont Pass we decided we needed to stop. So, we got coffee in Tracy and I drove the rest of the way narrating as needed. Dad yelled at me a few times.

The house in Twain Harte - Dad’s vacation home - was tragically in disrepair. We hung out for a bit and then went for Mexican food in Twain Harte. Much later back at the house we slowly wound down. I told the boys the story of the house and my siblings’ summertimes with my mother for bedtime.

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.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are terrible.

On June 22 I wrote that that morning the boys showed up but only for a while. I was up at 9:30 but stepped on a piece of glass and my recovery got in the way of making breakfast. The boys were mostly in the living room during my first work meeting. After that I finally ate and had another meeting.

We went to laundry and the cafe. I was really pleased with what I saw there. Back home I had several hours of frantic work. Tuesdays and Thursdays are terrible. I had to stop twice because work is hard sometimes.

The boys were actually good but they were overly interested in my work. I finished up around five. I got a text from a person who wanted my baby seat.

I made tortellini and ice cream before winding down. The boys were sleeping in their new sleeping bags that night. I noted that I had a mouse.

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 Midnight Mystery Tour

On June 20, 2021 I wrote that my companions and I were running late for The Midnight Mystery Tour. We went to my place quick so I could get a sweater and then we went to Townsend and met the tour at 11:55pm.

We rode the waterfront all the way to Hunters Point and India Basin. The stop was brief and then we went to San Bruno Ave and McLaren Park. That’s where the group got to know each other. After that we rode Brazil through the Excelsior and subsequently Farallones to Beverly and made a quick stop at the Sundial.

Through most of this we were bleeding participants since it was nearly 2 am. After saying goodbye to a few more people five of us took Phelan, Flood and Arlington to Noe Valley for donuts.

I got home at five in the morning.

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.

Across the Golden Bridge

In the morning of June 12, 2021, that morning I woke up at 9:30 and called my companions. I had thought we were missing the continental breakfast but when we went downstairs we discovered that either we had missed it or they just didn’t have it. All they had were pastries.

It took us 25 minutes to pack and I had to bring my giant e-cargo bike down separately because the elevator was too small. After that we went to Capitol and across the Golden Bridge (aka Tower Bridge) to a place called Beers and Burgers or something. I had to get loaded fries because they had no breakfast menu and no coffee.

We rode back across the Golden Bridge to a fancy coffee shop and then we went under the freeway along the pedestrian underpass to the train station. I liked that. I enjoyed the air and a short while later we boarded the train.

The trip was fun. I read from the wiki for the Vaca Mountains. The lady across from us was listening the whole time. I noted that the steward in the café car gave me finger guns.

We transferred at Richmond and at Montgomery we took Sutter to their house.

We had a few beers at the bar nearby. Then we got Thai food.

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 Lake Natomas Bridges

On June 11 I wrote that the night before we went to bed very late. In the morning of the day that I wrote this I waited until the sun warmed my tent to get up. I had fallen asleep several times all night trying to zip my sleeping bag.

When I finally got out of the tent my companions were at the table. I set up the burners and started boiling for coffee. We made oatmeal and then I broke down the tent and sleeping stuff. We took till 11 to get ready to go.

We descended to the bike shop at Folsom-Auburn Road and I got coffee at the shop there. We rode past the Lake Natoma inn and onwards. Some guy on his phone was following right behind us along the path for a while. We did the lake Natomas bridges and I had to get water at the boat ramp.

The route after the Nimbus Dam was under construction and I was displeased. However, it was only a short trip to my old college classmate’s house after that. I confirmed our plans for later that summer, introduced my companions and got to know his family. I got to play his ukulele. We left a short while later.

We were a little rushed after that. However, I texted some acquaintances in Sacramento about our plans. We rode on the levees just past the suspension bridge at Sacramento State. Then we rode through a burn mark near the Cal Expo. We passed two large structures before going out to the SNRR train crossing at 16th St.

We found a good route down G Street and checked into our hotel. About seven of us met for a meal at the brewery next-door and then we went for a short walk to one of their houses nearby.

We sat in his living room and sampled a whole bunch of bitters and aperitifs - including fernet and China-China. We also got to look at a fancy vintage bicycle. The evening was really great. I got to connect with a lot of people I had known for a long time and was able to introduce them to new ones.

A short while later my companions and I walked over to a bar next-door to our hotel and had a beer.
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 Ride to Folsom

On June tenth of 2021, I wrote that the night before I was overwhelmed by the task of doing everything on my todo list. I piled all my stuff up and went to sleep at two in the morning.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I woke three times and when I had wrapped my head around the day I tidied. I got on my ecargo bike at around 840 but still almost missed the ferry.

I met my companions on the pier. Once we were settled in I discovered they had done a fantastic job getting the stewards to wait for me. They also told me that the ticket lady wanted to leave us.

At Jack London Square we went to Bicycle Coffee. Then at the train station a guard admired my bicycle. I noted that on the Capitol Corridor the conductor admired my bike as well. Outside of Fairfield I took a break from writing.

When we got to Sacramento we looked for coffee but the station’s Starbucks had gone out of business. However, we found that the ride to Folsom was pretty easy. My companions switched seats a few times and I repacked.

At Folsom we went to a coffee shop and then we had some lunch. The place was different from when I had last visited.

Later we went to Raley's supermarket and bought ramen and beer. I bought this stuff called “giardiniera” a type of Italian pickled veggies.

We rode to the Johnny Cash Trail and stopped to enjoy the breeze and before riding across rainbow bridge.

The ride up to the campground was wonderful but short. We set up our tents and met the hosts. They told us there were no open sites the next day. We did an evening ride across the levees but one of my companions had a flat tire. I towed her halfway and she walked her bike on the last two levees. Dinner was exquisite. We started playing cards after that.

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.

New Bike Path Bridge

On May 10, 2021 I wrote that the day before I rode through the morning air to a coffee shop in Healdsburg and then I took the bus to Santa Rosa where I had New York style falafel. I didn’t mess around though. I hopped a bus to Petaluma and took Ellis to Lynch Creek and explored the new bike path bridge. Amazingly there was a way to cross the river and the freeway - I just had to go through the construction site on the wrong side of the rail.

I rode back on the path but wasn’t impressed with the roadway. At the bus six other people didn’t get on but I had been there first and everyone else was in a group or super young. I was the only one to get on.

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.

Frog Woman Rock (bitsin maca)

On May 8, 2021 I wrote that the day before in the morning I convinced my kids to get dressed and they ate some cereal and a bit of toast. I called into the friday breakfast with the geographers and did some work. The boys’ class was difficult and let them be after class ended. I tidied and packed before having coffee and dropping the boys off with their mother.

Then I found my bike at Powell Street and boarded a ferry enroute to the SMART. The transfers went pretty easy but I was nearly late because I ordered a sandwich at the Landing. I drank whiskey and beer until Santa Rosa and then ate my sandwich.

I took a bus to Cloverdale and checked into a room around 8:00 PM before walking to the Hacienda restaurant to eat outside. After that I also sat outside at the Sawmill.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I got up at nine. I took time to myself and set up my computer. Then I left for the Russian River Canyon around 1030. I stopped for a pastry and 2 cups of coffee before riding to the RV park on Geysers Road. I noted that someone passed me on Crockett after the bridge but the rest of the ride people were mostly nice.

I photographed the old Preston Bridge crossing and at the RV park I verified that they accept new arrivals after nine. They have campsites and I noted that getting a reservation is not that hard.

I looked at Preston Drive and photographed tunnel number seven before getting on the tracks to Frog Woman Rock (bitsin maca). I was surprised Edwards creek was easily crossed. I know the trails and fence breaches. The stickers got in my socks so I stopped twice. The walking was not fun but I endured it. I was actually faster than I had anticipated but I stopped a lot.

The tracks were as irregular as I had anticipated. I found a pushcart for the tracks near Comiskey Creek. The bridge there was in an OK state too. The tracks deteriorated but we’re passable. I was able to ride in places but not generally. I remember the cliffs as I approached tunnel 8 and it spread out as the map said.

The tunnel was a hole with no adornment. I was not impressed. I was also very not going inside. I placed my bike in a location where I knew I would cross the fence and then I went down to the river. However there was no real access so I went back to the tracks.

I found the path I needed on the far side of the fence and strained myself climbing the 680 feet to the top. I had no water and twice my heart nearly gave out. I also had to stop many times. I got extremely tired. I drank water from the spring dripping into a tub. After that I climbed one foot in front of the other until Mountain House Road

From there I looked for water but had no success. People looked at me funny. One lady said I was trespassing. I climbed from Mountain House to Highway 128 in a half an hour and found water. Then I descended to Pick’s Drive-In for a beer and a chicken sandwich.

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 Concrete Slides

On May 1, 2021 I wrote that I quit writing on Thursday the 29th. I wrote and was up for a few more hours really.

On the day before the day that I wrote this I woke up with enough time to make Geobreakfast. A few people I knew pretty well were there and we ended a little early.

I had work before doing the laundry and grocery store circuit. Back home I started cleaning up and the boys showed up so I had to give up with work except for a lone call. That was around when I told the boys to get ready to go.

I had trouble getting out of the door because my bags were too cumbersome. We caught a bus and made it to dad’s easy enough. My niece was there. I got us a pizza and a salad for myself. The boys did their TV shows and ice cream fine. My niece left with my sister and I tried watching television.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I had cereal and coffee and read the paper with dad. I made beds and tidied before making the boys a sandwich at around 1130.

We left at around 1230 right after I got finished at the supermarket. I had to hunt for a bus because the one I wanted wasn’t coming. We went to Golden Gate Park and the boys scooted to ninth where I got some coffee. By 330 the boys had used the concrete slides there and they ditched me at Alvord Lake.

We walked to Page Library where we randomly saw my old neighbors. The five of us chatted and then got some drinks at Page Bar. After that we walked and biked and scooted to Koshland Park.

We had about an hour of fun at least. We said by at around 530 and I took the boys home. I was very tired but managed to make tortellini and salad. They ate enough and we were alone together.

 
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.

Echo Valley Road

I wrote that the day before on April 25, 2021 I rode to Shiloh Road and crossed the 101. The bus wasn’t scheduled until 1 o’clock so I went to a neighborhood bakery.

The bus was quick and when I got to Cloverdale I confirmed Sunday service before going to the Wine Country Inn.

I spent a bit of time there before getting a bag of chips and a beer and visiting Cloverdale depot. Then I rode to an old cemetery on Crocker at East First and proceeded to River Park. I also went to Preston depot. I enjoyed the turkeys flying through the air.

I returned to the Crocker bridge and headed up river to The Geysers Road. I got photos of the old Preston Bridge Crossing and could see the track across the Russian River from there. I also had looked at an online resource which indicated that most of the historic town of Preston had been on the east side of the river there but didn’t see any evidence of it really.

I noted that The Geysers Road was folded and eroded in places but easily traversed. It wasn’t very steep either. It also wasn’t busy since it connects to the 101 at both ends and there isn’t much more than an RV Park called Thousand Trails and a few residential roads leading to the remnants of the town of Preston.

I asked the attendant at the RV Park about occupancy and forward vacancy. I snooped around the beach and then proceeded to the Russian River bridge all the while taking photos of the old tracks across the Russian River.

From there I followed Echo Valley Road to the railroad tracks. I ate my snack in the middle of the Echo Valley overpass and when I was done I left my bottle to be discovered. I rode back plucking fennel – not recommended.

When I got back from The Geysers Road, I stopped at Pick’s drive-through in the center of town. Later I went to the sawmill bar. I wore a mask, which I swear looked strange to the patrons and sat outside. Later I brought a beer back to the Inn.

In the morning of the day I wrote this I awoke to allergies and it was raining.

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.

Many Butter Laps

On April 16, 2021 I wrote that in the evening of the previous Wednesday I went to Cancun Taqueria and onward to the ferry building. There I met a new person in the crowd, she had gone on many butter laps, but was new to me.

More people showed up and then we went to Fort Mason where I took a great picture. Many others had arrived there. I stopped at Safeway to put batteries in my bike lights and then climbed to Pacific overlook.

One of the regulars was there and I met a landscape guy. He ended up tweeting at me later but he had a private account so an acquaintance sent me a screenshot.

We climbed to the Legion of Honor and I connected with one of the regulars. I saw a few people I knew but some of the people I wanted to see weren’t around. I was chased by a coyote at the veterans affairs hospital. A few of us rode to the jumps. A lot of people ended up going to Golden Gate Park so we ended up heading there.

Many others peeled off going up Martin Luther King to twin peaks but my small group went to Stanyan. We saw a whole bunch of coyotes there too.

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.

East Bay Bike Party

On April 10th, 2021 I wrote that on Friday the ninth I made geobreakfast fine and my kids came in many times (instead of doing distance learning) which the participants appreciated. I learned about marine Geography. My work call was better. I just turned off the video when the boys came on.

After the call we went to the laundromat and cafe and later drop the boys off with their mom. We walked the whole way. I got some fresh air and returned to work.

When work was over I ate quickly and headed to my first East Bay Bike Party in a long while. I grabbed clothes and boarded BART at Civic Center. I found my easily enough. The ride started late and I hung out with one of the organizers though much of the beginning.

We rode down 40th to the bike path and then out to the old Bay bridge pilings. I got a picture of the bridge – with a Bike Party Acquaintance. We walked back to the start of the pier through a huge crowd together but I knew BART was on a pandemic schedule.

I said bye to everyone and rode away. There was some really good people watching. I got lost once and discovered that grand is an overpass but it was all right.

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.

Up Lone Mountain

On April 2 I wrote that the day before when my meetings were done I got some coffee and drove to see my brother’s neighbors in Grant’s Pass at the house they were remodeling. I noted that drivers on highway 199 are very rude but listening to the local radio station calmed my nerves.

The house was not too old but needed a lot of repairs. Apparently, it had been abandoned for a few years and had become overgrown. When I was done, I went into the town center to do laundry and visit the grocery store.

I went back to my brother’s place after I had had a bite to eat and found that my brother had already eaten. I took over with the kids. Unfortunately, when we finally went to bed I discovered that I didn’t have enough sheets.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this my brother was perfectly hospitable - making pancakes and coffee. However, I could tell that my presence was a source of stress so when he was cleaning up I tried to stay away.

After that my brother went to his office and the boys played in the forest while I met with my coworkers online. I finished up some work and then showed the boys around the property - the local flora - limke manzanita- and my brother’s composting toilet. We played with chalk.

Later, when my brother returned, we went on a walk. We took the boat to ferry across his river and walked through some of the fields he had on the far side. Then we borrowed the neighbor’s tractor - he called it a “mule” - and we climbed Up Lone Mountain.

When we returned, we had an amicable dinner and the boys went to bed great. My brother and I talked about life and looked at maps.

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.

Rough and Ready

On April 1st, 2021 I wrote that my brother dropped me at Rough and Ready and I walked to his house. I took pics of powerlines and found the trail that connected them to a local road. When I arrived at my brother’s Haybale house he was making dinner and the boys were playing. I made an appetizer and then we sat down to eat. Later we had some candy with them and I cleaned while he visited with the neighbors. When he returned the boys were in bed and I was winding down.

In the morning of the day that I wrote one of the boys had a hard time early in the morning. Hours later, when woke up, the boys got dressed with my brother in an orderly fashion and then left me alone at the house.

I got an hour to myself then. I dropped some stuff off with them later and went to do a meeting at his office. After that I prepared to meet my brother’s neighbors in Grant’s Pass.

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.

Walked to Dutch Brothers

On March 31, 2021, the fourth day of my kids’ trip to visit their uncle’s forest preschool in Cave Junction Oregon, I was up early to make certain that we made the class ok. While it is always a lot of work to get the kids dressed eventually we had a meal and tidied up. They had funny colored boots to wear and they always have opinions on how to get dressed.

This time my brother drove all of us to his office and after that he took the kids to the park. I prepared for a morning meeting then and updated my notes. Later I walked to Dutch Brothers - the coffee shop in town - through the forest, over some fences and through the middle school. When I came back some people saw me.

As my brother’s class went long I took some extra time working.

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.

Backtrack to Forks Park

On March 30, 2021, the third day of my kids’ trip to visit my brother’s forest preschool in Cave Junction Oregon, I wrote that I had a hard time getting up and ready for the day because it was so cold.

However, once they were dressed we had little to eat and then we caravaned to Cave Junction. I was surprised at how much I had to do before leaving. I drove to my brother‘s office but had to backtrack to Forks Park. After I dropped the kids off, I returned to the office and called into a bevy of work meetings.

Around lunch I went to a drive through coffee shop in town and found a laundromat. I later returned to the office to call into more meetings and wrote up my notes. I saw my brother’s neighbor around then - she also had to do a call for work.

When I finished, I headed to the laundromat and returned to the Park to check on the kid’s fun play time. I also went to the grocery store before heading back to the laundromat.

I thought the change of scenery was a great break from the day to day back in the city. I got a second cup of coffee before returning to the office.

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.

Stop Outside Grants Pass

March 29, 2021 I got up at around 6:30 in Southern Oregon near Ashland. My brother got up around the same time but headed out pretty quick. I got my kids up and did the morning thing before leaving to find him at his office in Cave Junction. Other than one quick stop outside Grants Pass, the ride was fine.

Once we arrived my brother took the kids off to the preschool he runs in the forest nearby. We had agreed that I would visit him so my kids could participate in his program. I settled in in his office until noon and got coffee. It was a pretty lazy afternoon. I read email and responded to some work related questions.

When my brother and the kids returned, I helped him with his van before we caravaned to his house. We spent a bit of time exploring his property on the Illinois River. We played with the boat and then started dinner tacos. I cleared the table. The neighbors made a brief appearance and then we had dinner.

Later we had a bit of trouble getting ready for bed but we read stories. My brother had to prepare for the next day and I had to read work emails.

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.

We Climbed through Seacliff

On March 18, 2021 I wrote that I rode to visit an acquaintance. He had his sister and her husband over for the afternoon. I spoke endlessly about my Sonoma explorations. When they left a group of us met up nearby and explored The Richmond and then climbed through Seacliff to meet the Butter Lap.

We looked out over the bay from Camino del Mar and then rode through Golden Gate Park. The ride always gets confusing at that point because everyone has different riding skills. Eventually, the group went to get donuts on Ninth Avenue.

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 rode to Healdsburg.

On March 13, 2021 I wrote that around 9:30 in the morning I rode to Healdsburg.

I took the wiggle to Golden Gate Park and noted that the bridge was really windy and hard but the road to Sausalito was OK. I had coffee and continued. I knew I would end up riding late but I was confident that I could make it the whole 80 miles.

Horse hill and Cal Park tunnel happened fast enough. I noted that I had had only one incident on Corte Madera Creek Bridge. A guy had asked if it was one way and honestly that segment is a pretty tight fit.

I passed through downtown San Rafael and later, near Civic Center, I learned that Las Gallinas only goes through for bikes and pedestrians. I found Lucas Valley hard because of the hills before and after and I generally didn’t like Novato Boulevard.

I stopped at Pete’s coffee and tried to be quick. I also stopped in Olompali. The wind was ruthless.

Ironically, I tweeted during the long climbs especially near San Antonio creek. I got a picture of The Haystack and some dude honked at me on Petaluma Boulevard. After that I took Lynch Creek and Ely road. I said hi to everyone.

Getting to Cotati was easy. I knew I would end up riding in the dark though. Santa Rosa Boulevard was easier than expected but Roberts Lake is not a very good place to ride a bike.

Santa Rosa was actually easier. The airport turns were also easy but it was pitch black by then. However, Windsor had streetlights. After I got tacos at Starr, I rode up Old Redwood Highway to Healdsburg in the dark. The experience was harrowing but only six cars passed me. I went to a place called Spoon Bar where some lady randomly drank my beer.

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.