The Path to Efficient Contracting

Purisima Creek Trail Let me begin by stating the obvious, namely, that these are my personal views, and not those of any employer, past or present.   First, some background, for those not familiar with me or this personal blog.  I have practiced law in various in-house and law firm settings for the past 20+ years and … Continue reading The Path to Efficient Contracting

Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve

Some stats, notes and observations:  View of Half Moon Bay from Harkins Ridge Trail Duration: 4 hours (including a few stops for water, snacks, etc.)Distance: 9.3 milesElevation Gain: 2,109 feetWeather: Clear and warm (75 degrees F) at the beginning of the hike (8:00am), no wind, cooling off a bit once closer to the coast and … Continue reading Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve

Tales from Montara Mountain

Some stats, notes and observations:  Duration: 3 hours (including lunch)Distance: 7.11 milesTop elevation: 1,898 feet (North Peak)Weather: Overcast (64 degrees F) at the beginning of the hike (9:30am), light drizzle, clearing once above 1,500 feet Location: Just north of Montara State Beach, south of PacificaRoute: Grey Whale Cove Trail to Old San Pedro Mountain Trail to … Continue reading Tales from Montara Mountain

Calistoga

View from the Oat Hill Mine Trail above Calistoga Some notes and observations:  Calistoga is a wellness resort, founded in 1862 by Samuel Brannan, who, legend has it, had hoped to create the Saratoga (a renowned hot springs in New York) of California, and instead, after a beverage or two, founded the California of Saratoga, … Continue reading Calistoga

Saturday Morning Coffee

New roast The San Mateo Farmer’s Market seemed, for lack of a better word, normal this morning.  Tons of vendors, lots of people, a cool breeze from the Pacific, about ten miles away, the fog trying to surmount the coastal range.  California officially “reopened” this week.  Roughly half of the patrons were still masked, despite high vaccination rates … Continue reading Saturday Morning Coffee

Working with Legal

San Andreas Lake, viewed from Sweeney Ridge Let me begin by stating the obvious, namely, that these are my personal views, and not those of any employer, past or present.   First, some background, for those not familiar with me or this personal blog.  I have practiced law in various in-house and law firms settings for the … Continue reading Working with Legal

Morning Musings

It should bother me, perhaps, that in my late forties I have gotten no closer to visiting Brazil than these Mundo Novo beans (pictured above), from one of my favorite local roasters, Liminal Coffee, discovered earlier this year at the San Mateo, California farmers’ market.  In response to my third posting in the past week of … Continue reading Morning Musings

Mori Point

Mori Point, Pacifica In contrast to Windy Hill, this one was really windy, putting even the weather-beaten Cliffs of Moher to shame.  Sustained, gale-force (some exaggeration perhaps) winds, pulsating, relentless, nature’s air conditioner set to really, really high. In 1888, Stefano Mori, an Italian immigrant, purchased farm and ranchland overlooking the Pacific. Now part of the … Continue reading Mori Point

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

View from the Eagle Trail To be accurate, this was part II.  Part I happened two weeks ago, a six-mile hike up Betsy Crowder Trail and Spring Ridge Trail, to Skyline, and back.  It was wide open and, not to disappoint entirely, somewhat windy.  Part II, yesterday, was not at all windy, traversing the heavily wooded southwestern quadrant … Continue reading Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

San Francisco Days (and Other Ramblings)

In the past year, I have become a semi-prolific (day) hiker. A friend pointed out that real hikers go on multi-day treks. I do not disagree, but I am not much of a camper, and a one-day 10-mile loop suits me just me.  A multi-day Alps trek is very tentatively planned for Fall 2022.  Huts, not tents, … Continue reading San Francisco Days (and Other Ramblings)