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.