On February 8 I wrote that I had traveled to Donner Pass to the Clair Tappaan in anticipation of skiing with my kids. The night before I had had trouble sleeping because it was so cold and I had yet to acclimatize.
I got up at 7:30 am and had coffee in the dining hall. I sat with some the other six guests at the lodge. The chef had made us eggs and bangers with pancakes.
When we were done, I got ready to go and hitched a ride to Sugarbowl ski resort’s gondola and headed over to the Judah ticket office to skis and a ticket. They had trouble finding my reservation so I went to the ski school to learn more.
After that I got on the Judah Lift. I went to Mount Lincoln and Crows Nest after that. At Crows, I lost a ski and hurt my arm. I got coffee and rested at the lodge. I texted with a friend about it.
Later, as the resort wound down, I did another few runs and quit. I went to the bar and then hitched my way back to the lodge.
As soon as I arrived, I made arrangements with Hotel management to switch to the men’s dorm because it was warmer there. Then I sat down for a chicken sandwich with the rest of the hotel guests. I noted that the group is generally pretty gregarious and friendly.
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.
Monday, September 30, 2024
Thursday, September 26, 2024
DHL Driver Picked Me Up
On February 7 I got up at 7 and took BART to Oakland and rode bike share to Emeryville Amtrak Station where I had a cup of coffee before boarding a Zephyr train for a trip to Truckee to meet my kids and go skiing. On the ride to Sacramento, I set up my computer in the cafe car to listen to a work meeting. After Sacramento, I did a couple more work tasks and then settled in for the mountain crossing starting in Colfax. Near Donner Pass, I put warm clothes on.
I went to get pizza in Truckee when I got off the train just before TART Connect arrived at the station to pick me up. It was a good thing that I had finished my pizza because I probably would’ve missed the ride.
While my TART reservation was only to Donner Lake Pub, during the ride the driver offered to drive me to my lodge near the pass. Unfortunately, the van’s all wheel drive wasn’t working well in the newly fallen snow so when we got to chain control they had to let me off – just a few miles from my lodge!
Fortunately, a DHL driver picked me up there and took me to Donner Ski Ranch, which was exciting. There I had a beer and talked on and on about my trip. After that I found another ride to my lodge.
When I got to Clair Tappaan I checked in and had dinner with the other guests. I took a nap, and then was alone for the rest of the evening. I was drinking tea and hot cocoa at the end of the day.
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 went to get pizza in Truckee when I got off the train just before TART Connect arrived at the station to pick me up. It was a good thing that I had finished my pizza because I probably would’ve missed the ride.
While my TART reservation was only to Donner Lake Pub, during the ride the driver offered to drive me to my lodge near the pass. Unfortunately, the van’s all wheel drive wasn’t working well in the newly fallen snow so when we got to chain control they had to let me off – just a few miles from my lodge!
Fortunately, a DHL driver picked me up there and took me to Donner Ski Ranch, which was exciting. There I had a beer and talked on and on about my trip. After that I found another ride to my lodge.
When I got to Clair Tappaan I checked in and had dinner with the other guests. I took a nap, and then was alone for the rest of the evening. I was drinking tea and hot cocoa at the end of the day.
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.
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Castle Crags
On January 28, 2023, I wrote that the day before, I packed my cargo bike with my foldable bike and rode to Embarcadero. Then I rode the under ground to Van Ness. I went to the apartment and had a cocktail with some guests who were staying with me. They were preparing to go to the Edwardian ball.
Later I met a friend at Patricia‘s Green. We went to dinner and I was happy with the experience. We talked about birding. We confirmed that we would go on a bike ride the next day. We went to nearby bar and caught a five up to Divisadero. Later we hung out with her roommate at home
In the morning of the day that I wrote this my friend and I went to Masonic where we got coffee. Then we took the five to Embarcadero and ate crepes before getting the bikes out and boarding a BART train to Pleasant Hill. I showed her how to use my cargo bike and then we rode to Heather Farm Park.
The ride was perfect up to that point. We made a stop, and then we rode to San Miguel Park. After that we rode past the high school to the entrance of Castle Crags. Again I was totally surprised at how easy things were.
We continued to Mammoth Rock. The terrain had changed so she hiked and I put the foldable on the back of the cargo bike and rode with her. After sitting and observing Mammoth Rock we climbed up to look at the sandstone there. There are wind made holes in the rock which are very unique looking.
Later we walked up Buckeye Ravine and I made a mistake and we ended up walking up the Diablo Scenic Trail. It was ironic because it afforded us a great view but changed the outcome of our hike – I had wanted to go through Shell Ridge but it was late once we had gotten down to Elise Court.
So, instead of going to Borges Ranch we descended to Castle Rock Road and retraced our steps down Castle rock Road to San Miguel Park. As we headed back to Pleasant Hill we made a brief stop in Diablo Hills Golf Course where we found my hat which I had sadly left in Heather Farm Park.
From there we opted then to go to Zachary‘s for dinner. We rode the Canal Trail to the East Bay Municipal Utility District trails and then we rode into the business center where Zachary‘s is.
When we were done eating we went to Monument. I noticed that the ride to the BART station was really hard because it was dark and it was on a major road. However, we did a really good job. When we got to Pleasant Hill station, I packed up and, after a short trip, we said bye at 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.
Later I met a friend at Patricia‘s Green. We went to dinner and I was happy with the experience. We talked about birding. We confirmed that we would go on a bike ride the next day. We went to nearby bar and caught a five up to Divisadero. Later we hung out with her roommate at home
In the morning of the day that I wrote this my friend and I went to Masonic where we got coffee. Then we took the five to Embarcadero and ate crepes before getting the bikes out and boarding a BART train to Pleasant Hill. I showed her how to use my cargo bike and then we rode to Heather Farm Park.
The ride was perfect up to that point. We made a stop, and then we rode to San Miguel Park. After that we rode past the high school to the entrance of Castle Crags. Again I was totally surprised at how easy things were.
We continued to Mammoth Rock. The terrain had changed so she hiked and I put the foldable on the back of the cargo bike and rode with her. After sitting and observing Mammoth Rock we climbed up to look at the sandstone there. There are wind made holes in the rock which are very unique looking.
Later we walked up Buckeye Ravine and I made a mistake and we ended up walking up the Diablo Scenic Trail. It was ironic because it afforded us a great view but changed the outcome of our hike – I had wanted to go through Shell Ridge but it was late once we had gotten down to Elise Court.
So, instead of going to Borges Ranch we descended to Castle Rock Road and retraced our steps down Castle rock Road to San Miguel Park. As we headed back to Pleasant Hill we made a brief stop in Diablo Hills Golf Course where we found my hat which I had sadly left in Heather Farm Park.
From there we opted then to go to Zachary‘s for dinner. We rode the Canal Trail to the East Bay Municipal Utility District trails and then we rode into the business center where Zachary‘s is.
When we were done eating we went to Monument. I noticed that the ride to the BART station was really hard because it was dark and it was on a major road. However, we did a really good job. When we got to Pleasant Hill station, I packed up and, after a short trip, we said bye at 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.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Running to Bike Party
On January 16 I wrote that the previous Friday I went home and was worried about being alone instead of running to Bike Party but I made it out the door just fine. I had purchased some beer at Fred’s earlier. I saw a bunch of ride participants on Market. I rode BART to Rockridge with one of them and hung out under the freeway with a couple of others. I had took a few photos and shared them with people on social media.
The ride went up Claremont and doubled back on Keith. We then rode up to Lake Temescal. I hung out with the regulars plus a new reveler who I knew would be around a lot. I almost lost my gloves - which I actually needed given the temperature outside. I also had a hard time finding water.
We rode through Montclair. The climb was hard actually and then we ended up at the park in the center of town. I looked for water there too. I looked everywhere, and eventually bumped into a couple who was doing the same.
A short while later, when I finally found the water fountain, I saw the ride leader wearing waders and walking around inside the lake. I caught up with a few acquaintances and noted who was absent.
When we all got on our bikes again, the ride went down Moraga Avenue and that was fun, but very dangerous. I was riding with one of the ride volunteers for a while. We meandered along Piedmont and up Broadway to Lake Merritt for the final stop. I hung out with the core group for the ride there and later rode with them to Grand Lake for donuts
Sadly I had to leave quickly to catch the last Bart train. I saw a Bike Party acquaintance on the platform along with a few others.
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 went up Claremont and doubled back on Keith. We then rode up to Lake Temescal. I hung out with the regulars plus a new reveler who I knew would be around a lot. I almost lost my gloves - which I actually needed given the temperature outside. I also had a hard time finding water.
We rode through Montclair. The climb was hard actually and then we ended up at the park in the center of town. I looked for water there too. I looked everywhere, and eventually bumped into a couple who was doing the same.
A short while later, when I finally found the water fountain, I saw the ride leader wearing waders and walking around inside the lake. I caught up with a few acquaintances and noted who was absent.
When we all got on our bikes again, the ride went down Moraga Avenue and that was fun, but very dangerous. I was riding with one of the ride volunteers for a while. We meandered along Piedmont and up Broadway to Lake Merritt for the final stop. I hung out with the core group for the ride there and later rode with them to Grand Lake for donuts
Sadly I had to leave quickly to catch the last Bart train. I saw a Bike Party acquaintance on the platform along with a few others.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)