Blog Archives

Today is the 1st birthday for Travel and tribulations…, and I thought I might reflect back on what I’ve seen and done over the past 365 days in the World of Blogger. I began the year with this photo of Old Crooked Head and have posted 243 entries since!

Looking back, I fumbled around for a few weeks trying to figure out what would hold my interest. I quickly settled into a groove of posting photos from day trips, business trips, and holidays. If you read back, you’ll see pictures from Venice, Paris, London, New York, LA, Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, DC, Richmond, San Antonio, Muskegon, St. Michaels, Colorado Springs, Anaheim, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, San Simeon and the Loire Valley.

You’ve seen our garden–the product of Jeff and my sweat and passion. You’ve seen RAIN (lots of rain) and fog and sun and snow and hail. You saw Yoda.

I’ve shared tasty treats. Chili dogs and deep fried twinkies. Ricciarelli from Siena. Sweet potato biscuits. Hamburgers and mojitos. Clementines. BLTs. French crepes. Whippi Dip. Tiramisu. U.S. 31 BBQ. Fresh blue crabs. Homemade Christmas cookies. Smoked turkey, bacon, and monterey jack paninis. Huevos rancheros. And who can forget the Red Velvet Bingles!!

We said goodbye to dear friends and family. Revisiting the photos I posted for Louise, Sallie, and Nancy just remind me how much I still miss them.

I shared an odd string of unrelated poop stories.

But let’s not forget the most popular storyline of the past year: Elena and the spam of the decade. In February, we all met my love-struck Russian pen-pal Elena, who took us all on a two month whirlwind ride of emotion and intrigue. By May, the “relationship” went south, since I wouldn’t profess my love, purchase Elena a visa, and send her cash to meet me in the U.S.

What a blog year!

I’m a sensible man, otherwise I would NOT have blurred out this guy’s license plate. This guy ticked me off when he raced by me this morning while his passenger tossed his paper coffee cup out of the window to the curb. What an ass. BUT, I can show restraint. Sometimes the best justice is just ranting to the world. (Of course, since I just helped to pick up trash on the beach yesterday, its more than a BIT infuriating to see someone perpetuating the cycle.)

But, so that James won’t ask me when my blog turned sour, I’ll close this rant with a happy photo of freaky sheep keychains. 🙂

This morning, I led a hearty group from work to Muir Beach, a cozy cove that is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area just north of SF. Our cool coastal clouds have been hanging on much longer lately, so the morning was cool and misty…perfect weather to help the Park Service to clear the way for native vegetation. Digging, pulling, lifting, and hauling…with many laughs along the way. Jeff and Chris were the heroes of the day when they arrived with fresh sandwiches from Freddie’s in North Beach.

But while it does feel like summer has packed up its bags, I surely know that we’re not ready to leap to Christmas. So, it is with trepidation that I announce my first Christmas sighting of the year: Macy’s in Union Square has their Christmas section of the store all assembled and twinkling. No fair skipping fall…MY favorite season of the year.

Anyhow, here are a couple of photos from my Bayview series. I liked the color and composition of these. And not a mistletoe to be seen (yet)…but some freaky angels, to be sure.

As you might recall from a few weeks ago, I met a new friend Helen when she merged her white Mustang into my car. Well, today, I met Helen’s daughter, who TRIED to merge her white Scion in my car as she cut over abruptly to make a turn. There were TWO right turn lanes, but Helen Jr. decided that my lane was the shortest route. So I sounded my horn as I broke hurriedly. Helen Jr.’s response was to laugh uncontrollably with her passenger, who even threw her outstretched arms through the sunroof in victorious ‘woo hoooo!!’ fashion.

So, with drivers getting dumber each day as we lower the intellectual bar for operating a moving weapon, WHY is it that we allow our out-of-town tourists to rent THESE death mobiles?

Could we leave these folks more exposed to the impatient and clueless? Is this how we plan to thin the herd?

LA is a town of excess. Endless freeways to whisk you away to your next indulgence. Eyecandy for every taste. Food for every palate. All delightfully packaged in artificiality.

Jeff and Chris and I traveled to LA this weekend to meet up with friends for the long weekend. We stayed in West Hollywood, and enjoyed decadent meals and amazing drinks.

We had gooey fried plantains at the Bossa Nova, fiery huevos rancheros from the Beverly Hilton, blackberry mojitos at the Voo Doo Room, 2-for-1 margaritas at the Fiesta Cantina, piled-high pastrami and crispy fried chicken at Jerry’s Famous Deli, mozzarella-stuffed meatloaf from Cafe d’ Etoile, and a silky chocolate cream pie at the House of Pies.

And I left the best for last: the undisputed BEST mojitos from the Abbey.

So yes, this week is about salads and water and rest 🙂 Three days in LA is PLENTY…and I’m sure the whole gang will agree.

So, here are a few of the fun shots from this weekend. I’ll start with my top-two billboards. First is for the local CBS weatherman…gotta love the name!! The next is an add for Joe’s Jeans…uh huh…Joe seems to have misplaced his jeans.

Then its onto the Beverly Hilton, that classic hotel for the stars where they host the Golden Globes. We sat on their roof-top terrace and had a sunny Beverly Hills brunch.

Lastly…a fun photo from the Voo Doo Room. This is a restaurant and bar in the heart of West Hollywood. Very inventive dishes some VERY yummy drinks. Perhaps that’s why this photo is so blurry 🙂