Tag Archives: Tourism

Off To Holland

Our long awaited Home Exchange has at last begun in earnest. This trip is special as we were fortunate to be able to enjoy some time with our Dutch exchangers Jan & Anneke. A great couple that we exchanged homes with 5 years ago. Adventurous, smart, fun, generous, let’s face it the Dutch are cool.

Anneke

Anneke

Jan

Some gadget time with Jan

Over the years quite a few folks have expressed an interest in Home Exchanging but admit to a slight apprehension. All I can tell you is that there seems to be a little Zen in it. The nicer everyone is to each other, the better it works.

For those of you who have never ventured into Home Exchange before, exploring is the key. As lovely as Jan & Anneke’s home is, we didn’t come all this way to sit around the living room. Holland is a fascinating country with Amsterdam, de Hague, Harrlem and hundreds of picturesque towns. Copenhagen, Berlin, Hamburg, Bruges, are all in relatively easy striking distance by car or train. And with fairly inexpensive short European flights, the net gets even wider.

That been said, we are going to spend the first bit exploring Friesland when the sun is still low in the sky and spring is just now waking up slowly.

Canal side homes in Sneek, NL

Canal side homes in Sneek, NL

Cloverdale to Hebo

I tend to think that Oregon has one of the nicest shorelines in America.   Generally when I drive up the coast, I try to stay as close to the water as possible. That usually means turning off 101 north of Lincoln City and driving up through Pacific City, Cape Kiwanda, Netarts and Oceanside, then sneeking into Tillamook the back way. This time I decided to change my usual route and stayed on 101N as it twists inland through Cloverdale and Hebo.

Hebo, Oregon

Fishing is what we do.

Cloverdale, Oregon

Downtown Cloverdale

Cloverdale, Oregon

Downtown Cloverdale

Cloverdale, Oregon

The monument on this much neglected corner in Cloverdale should be anything but. It's there to commemorate hometown hero, Kenneth L. Reusser (1920 – 2009). Kenneth, a United States Marine Corps aviator, is considered the most decorated Marine Aviator in history, having flown 253 combat missions, earning 59 medals, including two Navy Crosses while flying in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He is the only aviator to survive being shot down in all three wars. An American hero for sure.

Approaching Garibaldi

Grapes and Gravel

Bits and Pieces.

 A little of this and that with some of these and those.  Whenever we’re finishing up one of these roadtrips there are always a few images that don’t really fit into any group.

So these are just a few loose ends. See you all soon.

A Happy House

A Happy House

They're Watching!

They’re Watching!

 

Market Street, San Francisco

The Provocateur

 

The Inspector

The Inspector

Nap Time

Nap Time

The Beach at Cardiff By The Sea

The Beach at Cardiff By The Sea

 

The Sign Doesn't Fill Me With Confidence.

The Sign Doesn’t Fill Me With Confidence.

Bryar Is Ready For His Road Trip.

Bryar Is Ready To Go.

The Butcher Boy - SD Maritime Museum

The Butcher Boy – SD Maritime Museum

Johnson Outboard Motor

Johnson Sea-Horse

So Simple But So Scary.

So Simple But So Scary.

This is where the torpedo goes.

This is where the torpedo goes.

Stylin'

Stylin’  

 

 

 

 

 

Kindness Bus Tour 2012

The Hippies Are Back! And Not A Minute Too Soon!

I bumped into this “smile on wheels” today while in Encinitas.

The Kindness Bus Tour

The Kindness Bus Tour

Apparently Bob Votruba and his dog, Bogart, are dedicated to spreading one million random acts of kindness all over the nation. Ya gotta love it!

Check them out at http://www.onemillionactsofkindness.com/.

Money For Nothing – Part 2

Oh Goody Another Tip Jar

Money For Nothing

Tip Jar

What the hell’s with the tip jars, those ever present containers that are constantly soliciting for funds on counter tops from coast to coast. In the last few years these little beggars have sprung up everywhere. I blame coffee vendors. They clearly need to pay their employees more money and stop asking us to subsidize their wages.

The price of a cup of coffee has risen faster then a helium balloon. We obviously like and want our designer coffee, and are willing to pay for it. That’s fine, but tips are not gratuities for simply doing your job. They are extra remuneration to show appreciation for providing exemplary service. In a coffee shop I have to wait in line, decide and order with no guidance or suggestions from the staff. I have to pay and tip when I order, before I even know if the product is any good or my order is correct or how long I will have to wait to get it. Then I generally have to stand around until it’s done, get my own lid, straw, napkin, sugar and cheap wooden stirrer, bring it all to the table myself and bus the table when I’m finished. Damn, I almost feel like I should come back after hours to empty the trash and mop the floor. What’s the tip for? Smiling at me. Making the coffee. I know what you’re thinking, What’s with the bitch? Just don’t tip. I’m sure your right, but there is clearly pressure to tip. The placement of the evil little tip jar. The cute little “My College Loan Thanks You” sign with the little stars and smily faces. The slightly pleading look in the cashier’s eyes. The blank tip line on the credit card slip. The cashier’s awareness of who tips and who doesn’t. Why not just put a forlorn looking panhandler next to the cash register. “Thanks A Latte”.

What really set me off was when I saw a tip jar in the dry cleaners the other day. The dry cleaners! Really?? I even saw one at a flea market yesterday. What’s next, Home Depot? The DMV?

No Tipping Please

No Tipping Please

Torrey Pines State Reserve

Spent a great day hiking Torrey Pines State Reserve. This is a terrific park. Crowded in the summer but pretty much perfect this time of year. Lots of trails. Easy hikes. Great for the kids. It’s sad to think that there is very little undeveloped Southern California’s coastline left, but there is this. So check it out.

Torrey Pines Reserve EntranceTorrey Pines State Reserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Torrey Pines State Reserve

Torrey Pines State Reserve

Torrey Pines State Reserve

Torrey Pines State Reserve

Torrey Pines State Reserve

Torrey Pines State Reserve

 

 

Run Forrest Run

Bikers in Solana Beach, Ca

I’m pretty sure that I’m in the heart of the exercise universe.

Southern California is a place where everyone seems to be moving. Constantly. They’re running, jogging and marathon training, both with and without baby carriers. They’re biking, road, mountain, unicycle, tandem, recumbent, and cruisers, all with and without baby carriers. Walking, speed and regular, again with and without baby carriers. Trail hiking. Surfing, parasurfing, windsurfing, body surfing and boogie boarding. Skateboarding and skating, both regular and inline. There are pilate studios, yoga studios, fitness studios, spinning studios, health clubs and gyms. Swimming, pool and ocean. Wind gliders and, of course, driving. Millions of them are driving. All the time. Now technically driving isn’t exercise, but with the aggressiveness and anxiety level applied to it here it will certainly burn off a few calories.

Biker in Solana Beach, Ca

Beach Music v.1

Our month in Southern California has begun.
Wendi & I are very familiar with the area.
In the early 80’s we explored coastal towns from Chula Vista to Oceanside
and were captivated by the laid back surfer hippie feel.
Well, those days are gone!
You could write a thesis on the sociological significance of the economic and cultural shift that has transformed Southern California in the last 30 years.
So, let’s just not go there.
Instead let’s listen close and see if we can still hear some Beach Music.

Beach Runner

Beach Runner

The View

The View

Redondo Beach Power Station

Redondo Beach Power Station

Show Dogs

Show Dogs

The Poop Deck

The Poop Deck

Lifeguard Station1

Lifeguard Station1