The Jedediah Smith Trail

On May 28, 2023, I wrote that the night before I finished writing just as the sun went down at our campsite near Folsom Lake. The boys had sort of automatically gone to bed. So, I packed a small bag and went in search of a way to charge the bike, which took some time given the custodian seemed to regard anyone wandering around the campsite as suspicious. However, I put in just enough time to get one of the bike batteries charged up. Then I went to bed.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this, the boys got up and we slowly broke everything down. It took about two hours and we left at 9:30. We went to the town of Folsom for refreshments – a coffee for myself and a shared sandwich – before continuing on The Jedediah Smith Trail with spectacular views of the American River as it leaves the foothills.

I got a video and we really enjoyed ourselves. While we were passing through the mine tailings, I asked the boys to walk it out into a pile of rocks, and we threw some around to see what was inside. At some point my boys complained about the heat and the ups and down. So, we had to go slow. They have a hard time riding their own bikes at times.

Eventually we arrived at Lake Natomas Swim and Sailing Center where we jumped into the lake. The water was still really cold. We got M&Ms from a vending machine and then rode along the Folsom South Canal. The path along the canal was surreal with grassy hills everywhere. It was also really hot and we dried out really quick after our swim. Eventually we found a segment of the Latrobe railway spur and road through office parks on Mercantile, Trade Center, Sun Center and Gold Center until we arrived at our hotel.

The boys swam in the pool for a while and I got the room key and unpacked. Later we rode my cargo bike to visit an old classmate of mine in Rancho Cordoba. We played T-ball in the yard with his kid and wife. She made us dinner. We played with toys and hit wiffle balls over the back fence. A short while later, the boys and I returned through White Rock Park to wind down at our hotel.

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 Levees on The Lake

On May 27, 2023, I wrote that the night before the boys crawled into their tent to go to sleep and I took the time to explore the campground we were staying at – Beal’s Point on Folsom Reservoir. I got ready and went to sleep with out any real problem.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I walk at around six and got up at seven. The boys didn’t want to go get up but I pushed. I gave the boys time to have a snack and drank a can of coffee while they played. Later I got everything hidden in the tent because the boys really wanted to ride north along the lake.

It was only a few minutes later when we headed to the levees on the lake and moved off to explore the neighborhoods nearby. I noted that the boys had made a chessboard out of rocks the night before, on one of the levees where we passed on the way and I let them play with it.

The sun was kind of hot though. We stopped at a nearby supermarket where I got batteries and some fixings for dinner. I got some coffee and donuts. Then we rode up Douglas Bl into the local Lakewood neighborhood. From there we found the secret alley behind fancy homes to the equestrian staging area in the Granite Bay area of the state parks.

The boys played and later we rode to the edge of the Los Lagos neighborhood where I explored some of the trails. After that we rode back to the lake via the park trails. We followed the lake side until we returned to camp and I took a nap.

In the late afternoon we put on sunscreen and rode up to the lake on the cargo bike to go swimming. The boys were not serious about swimming but it turned out OK. The view was great. I took the boys back to the campsite and made ramen with sprouts, pimentos and chicken broth.

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.

Over the Rainbow Bridge

On May 26th, 2023, I wrote that my kids would meet me at the Jack London Square train station for our annual bike trip to Folsom. I grabbed everything and made certain I had things I needed before riding to Civic Center to get a coffee. However, it turned out the train to Merritt Lake was coming so I hopped a ride to Oakland and rode to 12th and onwards to Bicycle Cafe instead.

At the station, I got the bicycles for the boys out of a locker and re-factored all of our bags. Then I got tickets and discovered the train actually left at 9:57 and not 830 – so I was way early. The boys were a bit late because their mom had taken a wrong turn but it no longer mattered because we had to wait an hour and a half anyway. She took the boys to get hot cocoa and surprised me with second cup of coffee when they returned. While we waited we saw the Coast Starlight which had a fancy Pullman attached.

When it was time, we said bye to the moms and boarded our Capital Corridor train with no problem. The boys drew cute pictures and I posted to Twitter until we got to Davis. Then we discussed the trip and we got ready. We got off the Capital Corridor at Sacramento Valley Station.

One of the boy’s bungees got stuck on his wheel on the platform but it was OK. They also helped me load my bulky GSD onto a Sacramento Transit train and on the ride to Folsom the boys wrote in their notebooks. I estimated the time to Folsom for the boys so they could understand how long it would take. I also re-packed

When we got to Folsom we rode to the historic town center to get treats before going over the rainbow bridge. We entered the campground through the back entrance and the boys set up their tent with no trouble. When we were ready, we looked at the lake on my cargo bike without all of our bags and had dinner at a restaurant in Granite Bay. We rode home to brush teeth and wind down at the campsite.

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 Maacama Fault

On May 7, 2023, I wrote that the day before I was up at 8:45 and had the food at the front desk of my motel in Willits California before heading out at 10. I walked up the highway to Walker and on to Shaffer. I was fascinated by the greenish and purplish stones everywhere. This became a theme and I collected a few.

I have been concerned about strangers, but that went away when I got on the NWPRR trackway. It was easy at first but I had come to discover tracks on North slopes are always overgrown. I had to walk through some guy’s yard and then the water treatment plant. I saw a makeshift shooting range. I also had to climb over a ruined culvert – my first experience of many.

This all left me worn out as I got to the 101 undercrossing. I spent about a half an hour there. I noted a road crew on the highway and the abandoned RV. There was momentary rain.

I followed Davis Creek to the historic place called Ridge. I was fascinated with how the creek followers the Maacama Fault. I also noted that the CalFire station in that area created their own special trail to reach the creek. I had a few problems following the track through this section. I noted too that the trackway through Ridge has a loading spur.

I decided to follow the road for about 2 miles. That section was this is just off Ridgewood Drive. The area is operated by some kind of equestrian group. When the road started to disappear, I looked for and found a trail — a bespoke trail with little arrows. A bit later I crossed the track and found another trail, which eventually turned into a directionless cow path. I was able to walk back down to the trackway there.

Later, on the tracks, I discovered a major blowout but had no problem with it. I came off the track a bit later, where a new road appeared. I could see it on my google map. However, here the road went further down slope, and was mostly cattle trails. It also dropped to connect to the highway. So, I followed side paths and crossed some fences to get back to the tracks.

From here the tracks were a bit more rugged because the slope was greater to the south. I also noted that the tracks were at a greater incline here. It was only a short while before I encountered a series of giant blowouts about a half mile apart each which I had to climb over one at a time. The last one I had to climb above and I got my foot stuck and was thrown into a patch of poison oak.

I almost opted to follow powerlines at that point but at Heart Arrow Trail I decided to press on. However, a short while later, I made it to the dirt road which brought me down to Laughlin Road and said goodbye to the tracks. On the way I encountered a bunch of horses who were nice.

I walked to the highway and caught a local cab to my hotel in Ukiah. Later I took the same cab to the brewery where I had dinner. I saw a model train in the bar. After that I went to the Forest Club for the rest of 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.

The Pub Called Diggers

On May fifth, 2023, I wrote that the night before I went to bed at one in the morning after buying an Amtrak ticket home. I woke at 6:45 and seven in the morning and then I got up at 7:30. I quickly grabbed my stuff, made some, sure the door was locked and a couple of lights on. I wore a mask and took the 49 to McAllister. I went to Peet’s where my regular barista gave me a coffee and I saw the regulars.

I went to catch a 101 but it was canceled. So, I took a 150 to San Rafael and transferred to an SMART after enjoying the crisp morning air. I rode the train texting people I know before getting to Petaluma. I met a twitter acquaintance at Petaluma Coffee and Tea. We caught up and then I walked for the Amtrak bus and headed out to Willits. The bus was four minutes late.

I learned that I could have brought my bike. I noted that the trip to Ukiah was OK. I got fig bars and ginger ale at Lucky before returning to the bus. At Willits I caught the local bus to my room where I had a quick phone call with my boys. They were drawing and doing other stuff.

A little while later I walked to the hardware store and then to a Mexican restaurant. Then I went to Shanachie Pub. They were getting ready for music. I thought it was a very cute pub, but it didn’t have what I needed. I walked to the pub called Diggers and I had a beer. The bartender was very interesting. She asked me about policies at the agency I work at so I gave her my card. She also had gone to my university.

I walked back to my room and turned on my computer and settled in for 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.

The Ferry Building for Butter

On April 14, 2023, I wrote that on Wednesday the 12th after work, I set up to go to the ferry building for Butter.

Some people showed up with a few others with whom I was well acquainted. They introduced me to a lady they knew – Butter Lap’s New Participant for the day. The ride to Fort Mason saw my acquaintances get a flat. So, I rode with their friend to the first stop where a bunch of new regulars showed up. My acquaintances appeared and I rode with them and their friend for the rest of the ride together.

As we were climbing past the Golden Gate Bridge and I rode over a curb in the parking lot and I should have been thrown from my bike but amazingly did not. I got the New Participant to take a picture of me and told her to send it to me. I rode with her to 25th and she was behind me on the climb.

At Legion of Honor, I hung out with the regulars. Later I rallied my acquaintances and their friend, the New Participant, to ride to Camino Del Mar. We had a lot of fun doing the loop and drop.

I kept calling our group “The Cool Kids” and I noted that I liked hanging out with the new person. At the top of the climb through Golden Gate Park, I went ahead. We nearly caught the fixed gear crew but I noted that they are very fast. We went through Panhandle Park and followed them to Bender’s. It was just the New Participant and I for that leg.

I sat with the regular cyclists since the fixed gear riders always arrive first and take the biggest table. I made certain everyone I knew had a seat but also pillaged everyone’s tater tot’s. I had a few beers and when the East Bay contingent headed out to BART I gave them hugs. Then I played pool with the guys until they kicked us out of the bar.

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 up The Hill

On April 7, 2023, I wrote that I took BART to Glen Park for Bike Party SF. I saw participants on the train. They had just been to the memorial for a man who had died in the Presidio on Arguello. At the station I saw other regulars and there were new people. I noted that the regular sweep was on his cargo bike. We rode up Chenery to Elk, through the park and on to O’Shaughnessy. A guy I had known on and off was there with his big camara.

I passed everyone and headed up to Portola. I continued as they waited at the gas station. I met a lady while I was waiting for the group. She was riding up the hill with me. We continued to ride up the hill together but I gave her space.

I hung out with acquaintances. I introduced people and that was nice. Someone found a lost phone. The ride descended to Portola and Market and then descended on the viaduct to the bottom.

There was a tandem that was riding with us and they crashed around Sanchez. I saw even more people I knew. I met a mechanic. At Justin Herman I saw EBBP people and connected with people from Butter Lap. I met the woman who had lost her phone. We traced the chain of custody and got it back for her.
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 Arcata

On April 2, 2023, I wrote that the previous Friday morning I knew my host was going to be lazy so at 10:30 I let him know that I would be going to the local coffee shop and headed out to wander the neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the bus was no help but I ended up at the coffee shop by 11. I called the town’s only mechanic about the bike I had left with him - the bike I had borrowed from my brother for the weekend. He said come by at 1 o’clock.

My host called me around then and we agreed to have bloody marys at the restaurant on the harbor. When we got there, the hostess set us up while we were waiting in line. There was some event where everyone had their kids with them. I had some delicious fish and chips.

From there we went to find the bike at the shop and we agreed to meet at the smaller brewery in town. When the mechanic was finished, I found the bike worked great – new grips and clean shifting. It skipped a little but I didn’t complain. I stopped at Home Depot for a bungee.

My host and I had a beer at the brewery and then we got on the bikes and rode to Old Mill Road. I was a little concerned about having to deal with cars but Old Mill is generally empty. We passed the visitors center and took a hard right to a spot where we saw a raptor scare a bunny right into the spokes of our bikes parked nearby at a picnic table.

We climbed a tree and rode the edge of the lake marshes to a small hill at Tolowa Dunes and shared a beer. Then we rode to the outlet for Lake Earle and found duck skulls. We walked on the dead reeds and mud before riding to the trail head and a shed near the “long trail to the beach.”

We rode back to Old Mill and through rain past Washington to Pacific where we made a stop at the liquor store because he was expecting his girlfriend to visit. When we got to the house, we were only a little wet from the rain. We made coffee and I was alone for a while.

When the girlfriend showed up, we chatted for a bit before going to the only good Thai place in town. I ended up getting too much spice in my curry. We discussed novel ways to pour beer, college and people we knew. When we got back to the house, we had a cocktail and played scrabble.

The next morning I woke up with enough time to ride the bike to the coffee shop in town. The bike worked perfectly. There I met my older brother who had been hosting my twin seven year old boys in Oregon for their spring break. I was planning on taking them back home to the city on the local buses.

I had ordered coffee in time to beat the line. It was “opening day.” My brother appeared a bit later with my boys and put his bike in his car. My host showed up then and the five of us walked to the bus stop and we all said bye. The trip had been nothing but fun.

The ride to Arcata was really nice. In Del Norte Redwoods, I told the boys to look for big trees. They were impressed with the cliffs. After a brief stop in Klamath Glenn, we crossed the Klamath River Bridge which has Golden Bears on either end. I, sadly, only got half a picture of them. As we passed through the center or the Redwood National Park complex we saw none of the elk which typically winter there. The boys were able to remember the name of one of the lagoons. Unfortunately, one of them wanted to quit traveling as we were passing through Trinidad. He called it Boring Town.

When we got to Arcata hotel, we walked around the plaza, bought some pastries, and then walked to Northtown for some hot cocoa. We peeked in on the ceramics lab at Humboldt Polytechnic University - my alma mater - and walked around the library. There was an augmented reality map, and a giant chessboard – I won a game against the boys. We looked at the topographic relief maps. Finally, we climbed to Founder's Hall before walking back to the hotel for a nap.

Later we went to the Italian restaurant on the square for pizza and went to a fun ice cream place that had some fun mini-carnival rides - like a carousel horse. There were a bunch of fun things for the kids.

Back at the hotel I waited for the boys to sleep and then went downstairs for a beer and to view the crowds milling around the old college town’s square. Tt was way more crowded there than I had ever seen – or remembered.

When the three of us got up at 7:30 the boys forced me out of bed and we packed to go. We went to a nice coffee shop I remembered from the old days and then headed out to catch our Amtrak thruway bus to Petaluma. I had the boys sit in the front seat as we headed through Fortuna and I pointed out points of interest until we got to Mendocino. They sat in the front alone most of the ride on the Eel River.

In Willits I had to move to another seat because we picked up a wheelchair and at Ukiah we stopped for a quick lunch break. I took the boys for ice cream again. The highlight of the ride to Petaluma was getting pictures of Frog Woman Rock (aka bitsin maca) not far from Hopland.

The next leg of the trip to SF was on the 101 Golden Gate Transit bus. I noted that there was a washed out path in Olompali. When we got to the Golden Gate bridge I noted that the boys were good at transferring to a Muni 49 bus and the walk to the apartment involved a stop at the corner store and we finished the day with a Ramen dinner, TV and ice cream before bed.

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.