157/365: Pickles

157/365: Pickles, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

We are traveling in Japan and enjoyed a traditional 12 course seasonal Japanese meal at the 200 year old ryokan (guesthouse) where we are staying. By course, I should qualify that a course is usually a bite or two. Everything was fantastic and, surprisingly, included very little sushi. Instead there were wonderful pickled vegetables such as this pumpkin and cucumber. Did I mention that Andy ate nearly thirty vegetables and loved them all? Pretty good for an Englishman. The story here: leftcoastcowboys.com/2013/06/07/fast-food-flush/

156/365: Tiny Godzilla and Cheese

156/365: Tiny Godzilla and Chese, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

I'm traveling to Japan to meet Andy after his Taiwan trip. Amazingly, I got bumped up to First Class! This being a trip to Japan, I packed an appropriate monster who I've named Tiny Godzilla. Tiny Godzilla is thrilled to be going back to the homeland. And he agrees with me that, on long flights, a cheese plate is always nice. Read about our first day's adventure here: leftcoastcowboys.com/2013/06/05/konnichiwa-bitches-2/

153/365: Martini!

153/365: Martini!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

One of the best places for Martinis in San Jose is in a hipster Chinese restaurant called Sino in Santana Row. Surprising how well a Martini goes with Chinese food.

152/365: Poppies

152/365: Poppies, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

On the hottest day of the year so far, my hiking group decided on a force march up Windy Hill in Portola Valley. This is a crazy scramble with 1500 feet of elevation change in less than two miles on a 10% grade (which is steeper than it sounds.) Did I mention the hill is completely exposed to the South side? Needless to say, it was brutal, but the view was fairly good once you took into account the smog and haze. But I think I'll table this particular hike until the cool weather returns.

151/365: View from Windy Hill

151/365: View from Windy Hill, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

On the hottest day of the year so far, my hiking group decided on a force march up Windy Hill in Portola Valley. This is a crazy scramble with 1500 feet of elevation change in less than two miles on a 10% grade (which is steeper than it sounds.) Did I mention the hill is completely exposed to the South side? Needless to say, it was brutal, but the view was fairly good once you took into account the smog and haze. But I think I'll table this particular hike until the cool weather returns.

150/365: Wooden Horses

150/365: Wooden Horses, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Just outside of Sonoma, on the way to Kenwood, someone has made a pasture full of the these wonderful scrap wood horses. Better yet, they are all for sale.

149/365: Turquoise

149/365: Turquoise, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

I love Native American jewelry from the Southwest. I have a huge collection of it. And when I can figure out a way to route myself through the Four Corners area of Arizona, I do so -- even if I meant to go from San Francisco to LA. But what's a small detour when it allows me to buy more Navajo jewelry. I especially like to wear this jewelry when I travel to other countries because the it seems even more unique. Today I was polishing my two favorite bracelets up in preparation for an upcoming trip to Japan. Where I probably won't encounter anyone else wearing it.