Hiking Adventures in the San Francisco Peninsula and Beyond
Happy Saturday! Lots to discuss. Peruvian Coffee First, coffee. Papachay Coffee Co. in San Carlos, California. Bought a bag of magic (I hope) beans, light roast from Peru. Plus, there’s nothing finer than a good nitro brew (no milk or cream needed) on a hot day. Next, local politics. Posted above is the silliest (and perhaps most toxic) political mailer I have … Continue reading Saturday Musings 5.21.22
Dear Readers, I had hoped to find time to write about each of these in detail, but no such luck. I hiked these in the course of a week. I am sure you can do the same, if not more. Enjoy. Soldier's Pass Trail - Giant Sinkhole (be careful), fabulous cave at the top (be … Continue reading Hiking Arizona
South Rim, Grand Canyon Have you ever taken the perfect photograph? Nailed the timing, the light, the atmospherics? It had been raining on/off all day, with snow showers at higher elevations, especially on Highway 180, from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon. The South Rim stands at a very respectable 7,000 feet, higher than Lake Tahoe. … Continue reading The Grand Canyon
Pacifica below and Mount Tam to the north Some stats, notes and observations: Duration: 3 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.)Distance: 6.7 milesElevation Gain: 1,669 feet Weather: 54°F at 9am; 60° F at 12pmStarting Location: San Pedro Valley CP Visitor Center (Pacifica, CA)Hike (URL): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/north-peak-via-montara-mountain-trailSan Pedro Valley CP Information: https://parks.smcgov.org/san-pedro-valley-parkLunch: http://www.milagrosrc.comNotes and Observations: This is a quick and … Continue reading North Peak via Montara Mountain Trail
Paraduxx Winery You might wonder how I might be able to tie these three disparate topics into one post. Continue reading. It's been another tumultuous last seven days. In October, I "won" a wine tasting package at a local charity auction. I had been a Board member of San Mateo-Foster City Education Foundation (https://www.smfcedfund.org) and … Continue reading Napa, Rick Steves, and Ukraine
The Meadows Some stats, notes and observations: Duration: 4.5 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.)Distance: 12.3 milesElevation Gain: 2000+ feet Weather: 36° F at 8am; 46° F at 12:30pm Starting Location: El Corte de Madera Parking Area (16040 CA-35, Redwood City, CA 94062)Hike (URL): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/skyline-bear-gulch-alambique-and-meadow-loopWunderlich CP Information: https://parks.smcgov.org/wunderlich-parkLunch: http://www.milagrosrc.comNotes and Observations: Wunderlich … Continue reading Wunderlich
It has been another tumultuous and exhausting week. Some thoughts and observations: I had dinner a few days ago with a good friend at my favorite local taqueria (La Cumbre). In the same year I became naturalized (1986), he escaped from Iran, as a teenager. He had grown up in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War … Continue reading Day 9
As some know, I teach a Comparative Privacy Law course at a local law school. Before my Monday night class, I was able to attend the tail end of a program on the invasion of Ukraine and why it matters. The student audience was engaged and the discussion robust. I spent the first few minutes of class … Continue reading Kyiv
The California Poppy, captured during our last hike (Mount Diablo) I have been enamored of this concept for quite some time. Not exactly minimalism or disposing of anything that does not spark joy. Decluttering, yes. Not exactly essentialism or mindfulness, although both can be worthwhile, for different reasons. Not shorter, less strenuous hikes, although next … Continue reading Less is More
Summit (3849 feet) Some stats, notes and observations: Duration: 7 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.)Distance: 13 milesElevation Gain: 4,200+ feetWeather: 47° F at 8am; 75° F at 3pmStarting Location: Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center, 96 Mitchell Canyon Road (Clayton)Hike (URL): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mitchell-rock-mount-diablo-and-north-peak-loopMount Diablo Information: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=517Lunch: BYO. Notes and Observations: Leave early. Parking lot opens at 8am sharp. Bring $6 (exact … Continue reading Mount Diablo
The Peninsula Hiking Club 