Adventure 608: Half Moon Bay-Redwood City/Post F

Mansion Cookware.

This morning the needed rain came down in sheets, sluicing across our roof like the soft riff of a jazz drummer's brush. It was ever so cool, some would say cold, and for sure a chill gripped our marrow like a sad memory whenever we left the trailer. By afternoon, the sun peeked over the horizon, not quite sure if it was welcome, and certainly not full of warmth . Nonetheless, we ventured out in the bright light to Redwood City to the home of John and Sarah Ulmen, where we enjoyed not only John and Sarah, but also their daughter, Emma and John's mother, Liz. The quiet pleasantness of their home, which is nestled in a culdesac along the ravine bordering California's coastal mountain range is just a short drive from Half Moon Bay. It seemed like a bit of mystic fairy land after the incessant beating of the surf. From there, we spent the afternoon wandering through the magnificent estate, Filoli. It was built in 1915 or so, ranges some 654 acres, presents a 54,000 square foot mansion, two or three formal gardens, a swimming pool, a fruit orchard, stables, and an expanse that can only reference the glory of riches reaped from gold mining, a shipping fortune, and water rights for most of the Bay area. I can't even fathom the kind of riches it takes to own such a home, much less "just" a country estate. And despite its magnificence, it seemed in now way pretentious. Rather, its ambience lived up to its motto: Fight for a just cause (FI); Love your fellow man (LO); Live a good life (LI).  It was time well spent. Afterward, John BBQ'd exquisitely delicious artichokes, and baked three fabulous margarita pizzas. To say the least, life is good, especially today.

 Judy with Miss Emma.

 John dough.

 Pizza pie.

 One of the formal gardens at Filoli.

 John and Sarah's deck.

 One of several magnificent marble fire places in the Filoli mansion.

 Mom and daughter.

 All around the mansion were bouquets of fresh flowers, which the garden society changes out each week. This week, the boquets featured orchids. 

 John's artichokes. Wow!

 On the drive up, this grove of olive trees welcomes guests.

 Mom and son.

 Selfie of the day.

 Grandma and grand daughter.

Adventure 607: Half Moon Bay/Post E

My Bunny commented that maybe I've been emitting a few too many negative waves, so despite the fact that I'm smothered by the sludge of oleaginous deceit, I'm choosing today to bathe myself in the perspective of Mary Oliver. In that vein, I'm taking the day off.

Today

Today I'm flying low and I'm
not saying a word.
I'm letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep.

The world goes on as it must,
the bees in the garden rumbling a little,
the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten.
And so forth.

But I'm taking the day off.
Quiet as a feather.
I hardly move though I'm traveling
a terrific distance.

Stillness. One of the doors
into the temple.

Mary Oliver

Adventure 606: Half Moon Bay/Post D

Last night's sunset. Liz gazing to the future.

Let the finger pointing begin, but before that take note that none of about what you may choose to read in any way reflects Judy Williams' out loud thinking. It's my rant, which is fueled by my seething bubble due to the misdirection, deflection, and out right untruths that emanate from the current administration. It shouldn't be hard to guess which finger I'm pointing at these guys. As you may have heard, It's all Obama's fault that the Trump administration ignored the World Health advice in preparing testing kits. It's Obama's fault that in 2018 the National Security Council's global pandemic director resigned abruptly, and that then national security director, lilly livered John Bolton, dismantled the rest of the team. It's Obama's fault, also, that in 2018, the Trump administration cut the CDC funding by 80%, which whittled the emergency response training around the world from 49 countries to 10, not including China. And naturally, it's Obama's fault that last October, the Trump administration chose to discontinue a Bush era program (That Obama expanded)-called "predict" that monitored the global threat of animal born diseases to humans. And of course, Obama must be responsible for this year's budget proposal to cut CDC's current budget by another 16% (or 3 billion) for global health programs. And don't even get me started on blaming Obama for our immigration woes. I'm quite tired of this malignancy, but Super Tuesday gave me hope. The voting turnout all over the country was way up, and I believe a high turnout of right thinking Americans can rid us of this malice. 

On a way better note, we decided to go to the Stanford campus today. What a spectacular place! We spent time in the Rodin sculpture garden, some time in the art museum, some time in the school's magnificent chapel, and we strolled under the arches of the original buildings. Way cool! But the coolest thing of all was an exhibit of three pieces by a South Korean artist named Do Ho Suh, whose known mostly for his fabric art that comments on how we humans live in our space. My favorite was a 12' x 20' piece of fabric which from two feet away looked like a blank piece of beige fabric. Upon closer examination, each gap in the weave held a face from Suh's high school graduating class. With a smart phone, you could widen the focus to see each face clearly. The piece asked me to consider my individual place in this world.  It is titled: Who Am We? If I ever imagined that I mattered more than the speck of atoms that make up my existence, the piece asked me to reevaluate, which I've been doing all day long (Except during rant time). Thankfully, I've been blessed with an individual existence that accidentally put my genetic foot print here in America where I've been fortunate to bask in the efforts of my ancestors. I consider my good fortune God's grace since I certainly don't deserve the place I currently hold. Regardless, even reduced to the speck that I am, I still  thankfully enjoy a life that is good, especially today.

 The first panel suggests our invisibility as individuals, but surely further investigation suggests that we all matter.

During the Hundred Years War, the French port of Calais was under siege by the English for about eleven months. The officials of the city decided to give themselves over to the English if the English promised to spare the citizens. Rodin sculpted a famous rendition of the Burghers who gave themselves up. Some were stoic; some were grieved; some were horrified. All lived up to their promise. Judy and I are showing our Burgher faces in the selfie of the day.

 The original cordon of buildings at Stanford is simply magnificent. Maybe if I can get someone to forge some test scores, I could get admitted to graduate school.

The campus church proved a quite profound space.

 Let's hear it for the little angels.

 Here's one of our little angels trying to walk before he can crawl. Looks like Stanford material to me.

Adventure 605: Half Moon Bay/Post C

Surfer Dudes!

New day, same story: a leisurely ride along the coastal trail, smothering ourselves in sea air, birdsong, pleasant company, and very few cares. Today, especially nice due to the absence of wind, made our later walk into town also delightful. We also had a special treat. We got to meet John and Sarah Ulmen's daughter Emma who is just about a week older than Falcon. She looked us over as we dined at the very wonderful Pasta Moon restaurant, and then she quite politely fell asleep during lunch. As food lovers, we couldn't have been more delighted at lunch. We enjoyed fresh steamed mussels covered in frites as a starter. Sarah taught us the Belgian way of using one mussel shell to capture and eat the next mussel. Judy had a scallop salad trimmed with mango slices. I ordered the house lasagna, a house specialty that didn't disappoint, and Sarah and Liz shared a rich looking pasta smothered with pancetta. In all, we were quite delighted. On our walk back, Judy and I spied a gelato shop and shared a strawberry basil cup that was also delicious, satisfied our need for a sweet treat after lunch. We rested a little when we got home, our walking totaling 6 miles, and then we sauntered up the beach in the late afternoon. In all, the day has proven quite enjoyable. We've been lucky with the weather, although Californians would love some much needed rain. A front is due to begin moving in tomorrow, so maybe a compromise is in order. Regardless, life is good, especially today.

 This Siren whistled at me as I walked by.

 Miss Emma.

 Seagull convention. Looks like they're waiting for the fish bus.

 Pappadella with Pancetta.

 Seared scallop salad.

 Sarah says she's mostly out of shock a being a new mom.

 Lasagna. Wow!

 Non one has offered to pony up the millions we'd need to live in this cottage.

 Garlic infused mussels smothered with frites and aioli. 

 Selfie of the day: Gelato Judy and her boyfriend.

Adventure 604: Half Moon Bay/Post B

Our first sunset at Half Moon Bay

Woke up this morning to the soothing sounds of the surf's throaty roar. Though a cool 55 degrees, the azure sky and light wind promised a fine day. We made a fine batch of huevos rancheros from some left over black beans, a little bit of corn, some extra hot salsa, and a fresh bit of guacamole. Judy prepared the eggs perfectly, and then I soundly whipped the girls in the morning game of crib. What could be finer? We then set out on the coastal trail for a sixteen mile ride along the beach front. We passed both high and low rent abodes. If just five of our friends could contribute two million each, we could live in a nice bungalow on a little stretch called Miramar Beach. I don't know who lives there, but I don't think it will be us.  We did enjoy the view for awhile, but then we just rode away none the less for the dream. After lunch, we walked into town for a look around and a grocery refill. We totaled a little over 20,000 steps today. One of the nicest things about trailering is that it gets us into a more active routine. We either walk or ride, or sometimes both, like today. This afternoon we entered into the danger zone. A couple from San Diego stopped by for a chat. Before you knew it, we were touring their brand new 27 foot Airstream. Oh, my! Judy's eyes were spinning those hypnotized cartoon characters of old. She was opening cabinets like she owned the place. I had to get her out of there before she brought out the check book. Just kidding. We're quite comfortable in Frac, and I don't think we'll be springing for the seventy thousand dollar price tag the bigger ones cost, especially considering we're down a wad in the last few trading days. But not to worry. As our leadership says, "A lot of people are saying that these things are not that serious, and some are saying it's all just a hoax. Just stay inside, wash your hands, and wait for the warm weather to arrive.  The stock market will right itself. In the meantime, put rubber gloves on before you count your paper money. But seriously,  ignore all that blather. Discover what is truly important, be thankful for it, and realize that life is good, especially today.

 Art shot of the day.

 On our bike ride in 2005, we had fish tacos at this establishment.

 My Bunny says, "I don't need no stinking 27' trailer."

 But if our friends will donate, we could live here at Miramar Beach. I'll take the bungalow with the surf board.

 I get to ride with these two biker babes, which makes me the luckiest guy on the planet.

Quite soon, the beach blossoms will spring to life. All the green you see is a sea of just ready buds.

 Fabulous beach after fabulous beach. I think this is why "several" people still live in California.

Selfie of the day: Say, "Wine and CHEESE!"