Our trip from Half Moon Bay to Moss Landing

Here's only two photos from our trip on September 13th. Tiamin didn't want her photos downloaded so sorry.

Redwood City was forecasted to have temperatures in the high 90's. I planned a trip starting from Half Moon Bay. We arrived early and walked Main Street. Not hungry, we skipped Barbara's Fish Trap on 281 Capistrano Road and Sam's Chowder House. I also forgot to stop by Mira Mar Beach and so we continued South to see San Gregorio Beach, Pompornio Beach, Pescadero State Beach and Ano Nueva State Reserve.

San Gregorio is a great beach. The cost is $6 for parking at all the beaches. Coming early, there was lots of parking space. And at the trail head leading down to the beach were benches and barbecue grills. What a nice place to have a family outing. Walking down to the beach, the coves lie in the background like you'd see in Pt. Reyes. The smell of the sea air was clean. So was the sand. Walking down about a mile, we came across two friendly fisherman who talked to us about how and where they fished. So far, one had about four surf perch. I didn't ask how much the other fisherman had. Anyhow, time passed and we gave our farewells before turning back. We worked our way down the coast and I'd have to say, it's a good way to spend a day!

Around lunch, we stopped at the town of Pescaderos. It's a small town I noticed on my way to Loma Mar early in the week. A bakery is here and it turns out a lot of bicyclists were stopping here for a break. Having parked we walked into some of the artist galleries. They have nice work and if I had the bucks and space, I'd buy something. we walked to the other end of town - which was about a block -  and walked into the Arcangeli Grocery Company ( and bakery ). Walking into a wooden two story building, you'll find the groocery stocked. In the back is a deli. To one side is fresh bread and cheese. The french bread was being stocked and still warm! Tianmin and I chose the  Artichoke Garlic Herb bread for about $3.50 and walked outside, pinching through the hard crust and scooping out with it the soft inners. Not as tart as a french bread crust, the aroma of the bread is like the soft and moist inners. The artichoke tastes like that in the jar. And, the herbs gives it a flavor where you just don't need cheese!

In short, Tianmin and I left Pescaderos and continued down to Santa Cruz. We stopped at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse for some photos. Tianmin's first comment was, "why do you like light houses?" My answer was, "because there's not to many around and it's something unique to see.." We took some photos and soon left.

We arrived in Santa Cruz. We've been to the Boardwalk and the Downtown before... Spending a day here is a separate adventure to discuss another time.

We continued south to Moss Landing. It's farther than I had wanted but wanted Tianmin to have an enjoyable dinner. Tianmin was getting tired and slept in the back seat.. The heat on her stomach was becoming annoying. In short time, we arrived at Moss Landing. You can't miss the place with the giant smoke stack landmark. I pulled into the beach but we didn't stay. Instead, we continued down the highwayto and took the second turnoff  that lead us Phil's Fish Market and Eatery, located at 7600 Soundholtd Road. The top pick was the Cioppino and Blackened Scallops. As appetizers, I could pick the steamed clam with medium sized littlenecks or the stuffed arichokes. We settled for the steamed artichokes.. The total mean came out to be $52. And, while the price was high, the bowl and plate were huge, with the dishes coming with bread and salad.

To describe our meal, the Cioppino tasted like a tomoto soup with red peppers and sea food. Included was shrimp, crab, fish, and muscles. It was missing something but I can't put my finger on it. I'd give the dish a B+. The steam clams had a butter in the broth with parsley and onions in it. It was pretty good too. And last, was my order of blackened scallops. The least best of the three. The scallops were grill fried so your initial bite began with the texture of the scallop. The slight tart taste from the carbon and then the sour lemon taste added multiple flavors to the scallop just as you began chewing and tasting the sweet scallop meat. Maybe that's why this dish is so popular. The grill fried french bread added character to the meal. But the quality of the bread could have been better. I think I'll try the friend Cod next time.

I was stuffed and was getting sleepy. We did make it back to Redwood City to rest and prepare for out next adventure the following day.

Uncle Matt's Wedding

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Here are two photos from Uncle Matt's wedding.

July 4th at the Shooting Range

Thanks Jeff, Daniel, and Ryan for coming to the Shooting Range with your Uncle B and Unlce Matt. I really had a good time with you guys.

The day started at about 10am shooting handguns and finished around 5pm shooting rifles at the Chabot Shooting Range. Gee, the day went by quick. I got carried away sighting in my Swiss K-31 so there wasn't any time for a competition. I can spend a whole week here. Since Daniel shot a 1" group with a handgun ( "lucky"! ), Ryan's got some competition! Jeff needs to bring his glasses next time. Shooting up the wooden target frame by accident (oops) is still against the range rules..

Next year let's have a shooting event with semi-auto rifles and shotguns plus a barbecue.

Don't forget, Uncle Doug's Diving event is on September 19th.

Uncle B

MamasRestaurant&Leaving,Maui.March13,2008

13 March 2008

1. 0700   We walked on the Kaanapli Beach for the last time. Tianmin and I wake up at the same time. I throw on my shorts and t-shirt and leave the room with her. The day iss warm and the sky is clear blue. We walk to the beach and decide to hang out at the pool instead.
2. 0900   The pool is shaped like a whale. The tail shaped portion of it is very shallow for kids. So is the jaw shaped portion. The rest is deeper for the adults. Some blogs said the pool was dumb looking but I think it is fine for families that don’t want to go to the ocean. A father was in the pool with his kids as we sat down. The mother complains, “we come all the way to Hawaii and you (kids) want to play in the pool”. Her husband is more accommodating and plays with the kids in the pool until the wife motions him to get out. He still keeps an eye on them as the mom sits in her recliner reading a book.
3. 1015  We check-out of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. We prepare our clothing and leave the room, pass the lobby, Iand retrieve the car. Tianmin drops off the keys. I remind her to give them my note for the needed repairs.
4. 1100   I need to refuel the rental car before returning it. Driving into Kahului, I pull into the first gas station we see. The line is long, the attendant brings the gas hose over to me than have me drive up. The other customer is in line paying for his gas. As I fill up, the tank overflows. “Great”, now my pants will smell like gasoline in the plane. The attendant apologizes and I both nod and then walk over to pay for the gas. We drive out immediately past the familiar Kmart I use as a landmark, and then a left at the T-shirt Factory. Tianmin asks, “Where are we?”. I ignore her as she realizes that I know where I’m going having seen Thrifty Rental Parking lot. The attendant greets us and scans a bar code on the car, takes down the mileage and gives us a receipt. He says, “please park as far as you can over there ( to the right)”. Doing so, we unpack and load onto the shuttle. The shuttle is held up for a few minutes as some late tourists stop the van and scramble up to the van.
5. 1100   Leaving OGG. Unpacking from the van quickly and having our luggage scanned, we stand in a long line. I start a conversation with couple from Palm Springs who is finishing their 4 day honeymoon. The line is moving too slow and Tianmin reminds me that our flight is at 1115. I pause, then leave the line and ask a staff member if we could be moved faster. She recommends using the sky cap. Returning to the line, I tell Tianmin who walks over to them. Running back she says, “come here” and we bring our luggage to the sky cap, paying him $4. We are free to go to the gate. The guy gets a $2 tip. Then, we pass through security.
6. 1115   For brunch, we have a sandwich. Tianmin says, “it will taste better than the ones in the plane”. It better for a dry skimpy sandwich that costs $7 with a drink that came out to $12. With a few minutes to spare, we sit on a bench and watch people board the plane as we eat some of the sandwich. We board.
7. 1115   OGG to SFO. Depart 1215/ Arrive 2015. United 0034/777, seats 20A, 20B. Boarding the plane, I realize that I didn’t bring anything to read. I spend the whole flight listening to the radio stations and watching the move Alvin and the Chipmunks. I’ll have to remember to bring my own entertainment next time. My trip back was pretty boring.
8. 2045   Super Shuttle. Getting our luggage has been pretty easy. We’re like the first to leave the carousel and walk out to the Shuttle Port. I wait in the enclosure because I’m wearing shorts and sandals now, having changed out of my long pants with gasoline. Tianmin says, “you’re going to be cold”. I said, “I’m not (  because I’m wearing a hat and a jacket)” I want to say that I’m a diver and about 90% of the heat is lost from the head and upper body. But I just keep quiet. Eventually, we board the shuttle and the van smells like my Dad’s Fishing boat with drying bait. “This brings back old memories”, I say to myself. Whispering, Tianmin says, “it stinks”. I nod my head. The Driver has his hair uncombed like he just woke up. As we drive off, he turns on the radio to NPR.”Gee”, I say to myself, “he could atleast put on some nice music for us”. After directing him to Shoal Circle, Tianmin asks me to have the driver drop us off at the front entrance. She almost immediately bursts out of the van as we park. The Driver says, “wait, you can get out of the van yet until you sign this receipt”. I tell Tianmin that she can wait outside and I climb back in. I forget to look at the passengers to see how green their faces are. We finally wheel our luggage into the front door and leave for food.
9. 2230   Dinner: We decide not to eat at home and drive to the Supermarket. Looking at what's available, we settle for Amici's Pizza. The only places open for food is Nob Hill Supermarket or Amici’s Pizza. Both are bad because I don’t’ care for Amici’s Pizza. But, we settle on sitting down and just before they close, we order a pasta and salad. The meal isn’t so bad because we’re home.

Molokini,Maui.March12,2008

12 March 2008

1. 1000   We check-out of the condo. Tianmin reminds me that we need to check out in time. I begin packing as she takes a shower. In a short time, we’re ready to go. This is a nice place for the price. It’s clean and quiet. The sliding door leads out to a small deck with nice flowers and a grill. We have a washer & dryer. Plus, the owner has diving gear for us to use. The owner, Gabi, happens to meet us as we’re leaving and we exchange goodbyes when giving her the room key. As we drive off, the quiet beachfront neighborhood is very peaceful. It’s a nice place. We drive out of Kihei which I’d describe as  a Maui’s City where the mainlanders live. It’s not a Tourist Town like Lahaina or a Locals City like Wailuku, the Commercial Center like Kahului, or the Surfers/Artist City like Pa’ia, or the Isolated/Quiet City like Hana.
2. 1055   Shop. We drive out to the main street and stop at a Longs Drugs for my souvenir mug and some snacks. There, we find Home Maid Bakery goods. Tianmin only allows me to buy a pack of Mochi Anpan which is like a mini bun filled with beans or sweets. I picked the buns filled with Azuki Bean. It’s a bit pricey at almost $5 for such a small pack but I’m buying the experience of trying something new. If I had my way, I’d buy one of each item and bring it home for everyone to try.  I look around the store for more interesting things. Down one isle are packs of Asian Treats like Wasabi Dried Plums ( Wasabi Mui ). I find a Portuguese Sausage and add it to my cart. Tianmin grabs a bag of chips, approves the purchases by not complaining, and we drove to Lahaina.
3. 1300   Lunch: Aloha Mixed Plate. Arriving in Lahaina, I first look for the House of Saimin, I discover that it’s out of business from a local. Laughing, he says, “there’s no good Saimin Shops in Maui”.  Having parked already, I return to our car and drive to Aloha Mixed Plate. Tianmin says, “we’ve been here before”. She doesn’t want grilled food anymore but agrees to look at the menu. I want to eat at a place that serves authentic Hawaiian food for a good price. And, it’s in the tour books I read. We sit down and order and a blond takes our order. The only Hawaiians I see at the restaurant or sitting down eating. Tianmin orders and I order the grilled special with Teriaki chicken, Beef, and Korean Beef. The Teriaki Beef tastes like Teriaki beef jerky. The picnic bench and deck where we’re seated has a view of the ocean and blue skies through some palm trees. The weather is cool, not warm or cold. I pesky fly ruined the experience for Tianmin.
4. 1530   We check-in to the Kaanapali Beach Hotel again. It’s nice to be back here. As I can see on her expression, the front counter clerk isn’t so impressed with us staying one night. I didn’t tell her it’s our last night and we want to stay here. She gives us a room on the fourth floor of the Kauaii Building. I’m worried. The photos on their website don’t’ look as impressive as those in the Moloki Building where we first stayed. Entering there people are younger as compared to the Moloki. I observe a Filipino staff member using a puddy knife to apply glue to the outside of the peeling wallpaper. A yellow streak shows the dried glue from a previous repair. The Hawaiian portraits hanging on the wall near the elevator is nice. We go to the fourth floor. The room turns out to be better than I thought. However, there is a distinct Best Western Motel Smell in the room which we either get a use to or air out. I didn’t care for the bathtub shower unit but then, we were staying for a day because it looks worn. The sink backs up later with a black debri which floats out of the drain. I inform the hotel of it later. Why is there a refrigerator on a cheap mini-table in the closet? I walk outside to the deck. It faces the other hotel. Looking down, I saw a pathway leading to the beach. I think to myself, “.. not much of a view”. And despite these issues, I’d still say the room is worth it because it serves it’s purpose for cost. I’d suggest not staying in the Kauaii Building unless you choose the view facing the pool.
5. 1939   Dinner: After unpacking, Tianmin and I walked out to the beach. I want to dive at Black Rock Point one more time. I change my mind when I find out it's too late in the day and the cost of renting a mask, snorkel, and fin is for 24 hours. We relax on the beach instead.  Afterwards, we go over to the Whaler’s Village Food Court for dinner. Tianmin wants something inexpensive because the food in Maui hasn’t proved itself exceptionally good for the price. . As we enter, I glanced over to the MacDonalds, the Chinese Food stall and then turn to Tianmin who’s looking at the Pizza menu. “Do you know what you want?” she says. I settle on having pizza like her. We buy a garlic bread, two slices of pizza and a drink. That cost $21. Overall,  the pizza was a “D” and it was about as good as a college dorm pizza or Dominos. Tianmin buys a Rosalini Ice Cream later for dessert. It’s suppose to be the best in Maui accoring to my my internet search. To me, it’s okay. I’d say the Lapperts was better, which I tried just after the whaling tour. It’s not as sweet as Hagendas or Cold Stone but smooth.