Author: alohawild

Tuesday was a day full of coughing. I generally get a cough when I have exhausted myself, and it was a fun and busy long weekend in California and Southern Oregon. Matt V piloted Air Volvo and ran the trip; he is an excellent travel partner, and I can’t say thanks enough (thanks, Matt!). I have endless, or so it seems, proof of hydration that is stealing my rest.

I made instant steel-cut oats and nearly burned them, as they are, well, instant. I added some sugar, King Arthur Flour’s fruit, and walnut pieces. They were just wonderful for a quick-made breakfast. But all carbs and thus less wonderful for me.

I spent the day doing chores. I did five loads of laundry in The Machine. The endless drying issue went away after I took apart the lint collector and reached in and removed the piles of lint in there. This is mentioned in the direction of keeping that too clean. Done and back to running normal. Excellent!

All my sheets and clothing are clean and put away. I have some towels left to fold and put away.

I went to Safeway next, taking Air Volvo, and loaded up $240 of groceries (including much meat) into my cart, paid for them, transported them, and then put them away. That left me a bit winded with the cough announcing what a stupid idea that was.

I spent little money on premade or what is now being called overprocessed foods, being aware that I need to cut those down and reduce the portion sizes, too. This aligns with my plans to have time to make and eat better food. I am less interested in various approaches to eating. I think just making good stuff with good stuff and eating regular portions are my directions. I also plan to increase my exercise back to 10K+ steps and swimming if the workout places are not too intimidating and shaming for a 234-pound grey-haired guy. I have not heard good things about them.

To that end, I sliced up a pork loin chop and soaked it in Teriyaki sauce while I pan-fried sliced fresh Brussels sprouts and broccoli in butter (unsalted) until they started to blacken (covering them to let their steam cook them through). I removed them from the pan and cooked the pork and sauce. The pork was tough, and I will have to look into how to fix it for next time (chicken, I think, would fit this, too). I added back in the veggies and finished it with a few stirs. It was a lot of food, but I had missed dinner the night before, and I needed the veggies.

I finished A Dreadful Splender by B.R. Myers, a mix of Victorian social intrigue with murders. The story is told by a con woman making a living as a spiritualist now over her head, having to play detective and fighting to not be hanged as a thief and a fake. Overall, I thought it a great brain cookie, and the ending, while somewhat predictable, was well presented and kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read. It is recommended and likely cheap as it is getting a bit old. I believe it is also a young adult fiction. I picked it up some time ago at random and for cheap.

Dinner was with Dondrea and Z at The 649. This Tuesday night was not a trivia night, so we could sit inside and enjoy an easy dinner. Z was slightly unwilling to pick anything, but we soon, with effort, got her to agree to a non-alcoholic drink. Crystal, one of the bartenders, sampled the blueberry hibiscus mix, and Z was ready for that. Crystal dresses it up like a cocktail with fresh mint and dried orange that Z ate, too. After more lack of direction, we got Birria Tacos for Z. Dondrea, and I shared nachos and the hummus plate (that Z also dived into–she is a teenager and eats and eats now). I had a red ale, Red Zepplin, while Dondrea had a bourbon peach cider, which she said was good (but could have a stronger peach flavor). The food and friendly service always brings us back to The 649.

We chatted about my trip, and I heard about their plans. I will not repeat them here as that is their story. We plan to be in contact while they travel and share their adventures. Dondrea might even write something. Z is happy that Wednesday is the last day of school. She is ready for a break. Soon, we needed to go our ways, and we hugged, and off we went.

The rest of the night was going slow, putting away more laundry and going to bed early. I woke often, but I did feel better this Wednesday morning when I wrote this story.

Thanks for reading!

 

We slept a bit longer as we had an easy driving day. The Jot’s Resort we stayed at is a sportsman resort right on the mouth of the Rogue River and the Pacific. You can hear the breakers on the bar crashing. Matt packed and read his phone while I wrote the blog, and then he cleaned up and dressed. Packing was only a few minutes as we only planned one night here. I took a few pictures of our balcony/deck. Lovely. I will be back to use this place again!

We checked out without issue and soon looked for breakfast, but we did not want to backtrack, so we did not find anything on the north side of the Rogue. So, we decided to find something on the way northbound on Highway 101. I eventually spotted a cafe on my iPhone, and we had to backtrack a few lights in a Veronia, Oregon: The Blue Moon Saloon & Cafe. I had my favorite when you are at these old school breakfasts, the cheap canned hash fried until crunchy, poached eggs, hashbrowns (which I did not finish as the steroids are raising my sugar levels), and an English muffin with jam (which will raise my sugar level against the rules but was sooooo good). Matt ordered The Full Moon and had a huge breakfast, handing over his 1/2 ham steak. We skipped lunch as we had treats and were very full. It was an excellent meal and what we were looking for.

The thrush infection in my mouth is gone. Bell’s Pasley is not getting worse and seems less pronounced on my face. My speech is still slightly impaired, and my left eye still does not close all the way and blinks slowly and not enough. The left side of my mouth is still dry, and food gets stuck there. There has been no improvement in that area. I am optimistic that most of that will return in a month or less. The numbness in my left-hand pinkie has improved but is still pronounced. This was caused by the artery line (I had four other lines!). I have a cough in my lungs that I treat like a summer cold. It has not improved much, and I will have it checked out at a Ready Care-like place if it does not improve soon.

Winchester Bay on the Oregon Coast was our next stop. Our navigation took us on private property! We turned around and followed the local signs and found the Umpqua River Lighthouse, our first really approachable lighthouse. We decided not to pay $8 each for the museum. I was looking for my usual blueprints for gaming and model building. Matt V found one laminated in the museum, and he asked if they sold it; no. Matt got a photo. I liked the look of the lighthouse and got a kitchen towel with its image on it.

Matt V and I discussed that the books and trinkets were not really about lighthouses or the Oregon Coast but the usual junk made in China and India and generic books. I was expecting a good book collection, models of the area and lighthouses, and more local artist stuff. Plans sell well, as folks like to frame them, or they are gamers or modelers like me and look for this kind of stuff. They did sell good, locally-made baked goods, at least.

Aside: Charts, Maps, & Graphics sells the plans online, and for just over $16, I have one on the way.

Again, the navigation led us to private lands and then to Dune City, which is apparently built over dunes that are now hidden below grass and trees. Years ago, the various governments declared war on the dunes near Florence, and this battle inspired Frank Herbert’s image for his book Dune: see here. Matt and I had to see them. But the Navigation was sending us to many poor options. We saw a sign, literally the last stop for dunes, and found the Honeyman State Park, an excellent local to visit, day only. There is a small freshwater lake, and the dunes all but appear to climb out of the lake and fit, ignoring an actual interloping bush, which looks like my mind’s image of Arrakis!  We climbed up one side as it was hard going in the fine yellow sand, unlike any sand I have seen on Oregon beaches, and looked out to see the huge hills further out. I wanted to get a bucket of that sand to use on models.

 

We tried to climb without a pattern. Just trying to be the wind blowing across the sand with no pattern. It was impossible! For campers who want a reason to swim and have a picnic, see the site: Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park. Maybe bring a copy of Dune with you.

Next, Navigation led us astray again, but we did find Heceta Beach, and I did get a picture, but I was growing tired, and the coughing was more pronounced. Time to slow. We drove to the Lighthouse by the same name, but it was an uphill hike to get to it, and I missed getting a photo. I did take one of the bridges for 101 that you drive under to get to the base for parking to reach the lighthouse. Not store to get plans or anything (but are available online from the same source I used for Umpqua River Lighthouse).

Our last stop was Depot Bay, where we looked for whales. None were out in the afternoon in the Depot Bay area, and I have only seen them here in the mornings. I will have to check where the whales are, but fall is coming, and then they will be easy to see and ubiquitous on Highway 101.

The tide was coming in, and soon, the tourist water would begin when the waves hit the rocks and highway walls. The Salmon River Highway is an easy, mostly straight drive out and my favorite. It passes through McMinnville and the wine regions. I plan to return soon to the Evergreen Aviation Museum and also see if I can get a few friends to do the water park with me, where you jump out of a 747 onto a slide in the fall.

With no issues, Air Volvo returned to the Volvo Cave with Matt V following a slightly improved path as 209th is closed, and the navigation assumes it is open. Matt unloaded for me, and we said goodbye. It was an excellent trip with only minor issues.

When Corwin returned, I had given him some cleaning and picking-up directions. I had already done the dishes, some from before my trips. Corwin took the directions without complaint or surprise. He was happy not to be alone again; the house can get lonely if all you do is work, sleep, and eat there. You must find happy things to do, or it will seem empty. You will also find that you are missing something, Susie, who was always here.

We did not eat much of the treats on the trip, and Corwin was happy to have all the cookies and goodies. I will not eat them to keep my weight and sugar levels down.

I watched some Black Sails on Netflix, a strange Doctor Who episode from this season, Dot and Bubble, and read A Dreadful Splender by B.R. Myers. I showered and went to bed late, after 11 (23:00), and continued to read. My coughing was out of control for a while but soon slowed.

The book is a mixed bag, but I think it has wonderful storytelling that keeps you going. It is always in the first person, something I dislike but that is still interesting. The story wraps up in the last thirty pages and goes down a path I thought was possible but so ridiculous that I did not think it was going to happen, but it did. It seems to work for me, fits the story you read better, and shows you all you missed. So I like it much better. I would say A Dreadful Splender is recommended as a brain cookie set in England around the Victorian times with a young gal charlatan spiritualist trying to make a crooked living suddenly unprepared to be thrown into a Sherlockean or Scooby Doo mystery without the detective or the gang to help. I will finish it soon and comment in the next blog if the final resolution is good.

I soon was too tired to sleep, but the special eye stuff in my left eye and slept. I woke a few times and proved hydration.

Thanks for reading.

We rose at the Best Western before 7 and were ready for breakfast. Matt V found that the pancake machine needed attention, but soon Matt had four pancakes as they tested the machine once it was refilled with batter. I had links, patty, and scrambled eggs.

We packed up, and after I had completed the blog for Saturday, we headed out. The hotel was perfect, and we enjoyed Redwood City. We did have to make a circle as we first headed south, but soon, we were headed to Santa Rose, Matt’s first break point. We did have some traffic issues on a Sunday morning in San Fransico, and we used Matt’s phone to route us around the issue, but soon, we were excited to be crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoying the parks and tunnels that entails.

Matt V’s driving required constant diligence, as the other drivers included a large dose of passive-aggressive and just-aggressive drivers. Speeding up to slow down seemed the norm, and it reminded me of Oregon. But much of this was at above 60 miles an hour and sometimes at much higher speeds.

After a few hours and passing through San Francisco, Air Volvo arrived at Santa Rosa, and Matt V found parking. We discovered a Sunday market at Santa Rosa opening, mostly jewelry and art. We walked through the square and stopped by a two-floor Barnes and Noble to make a pit stop. On the way back to Oregon, we will focus on beaches and lighthouses with the goal of sleeping in Oregon tonight.

We stopped in a small town, Hopland, on US 101 that seemed a good fit: The Golden Pig. I had a BLT with a Czech beer, while Matt had a small pocket-like savory breakfast sandwich in a perfect golden crust. My BLT, while good, was not as good as the ones at Lucky Labadore in Portland. The bread was likely locally made but not airy like that in Portland. Still, it was good.

Next, we stopped at a winery, Jaxon, which had a distillery component. However, they only made brandies, and we were soon back on our way. We set navigation to Eureka, and Air Volvo, with Matt V in the pilot seat, flew North. We gassed up and soon headed out, trying for our first nice beach. We were also searching for Asian food, but that quest will have to remain for lunch in Oregon on Monday.

We arrived and parked and then spotted the ocean a few miles walk from Air Volvo. Nope. We changed to Moonbeam Beach, which we found was only a dozen safe steps from parking and quite lovely. Matt brought out a few treats that also interested some dogs on the beach. The dog owner finally got the dogs back. It was cold and breezy, but we did see some people in the water. While I was tired from the previous long days, it was excellent to be out walking and seeing the Pacific.

The weather went from sunny to damp and rainy as we headed North.

Trinidad Beach is near the Trinidad lighthouse, and we soon found a miniature one that is a memorial. There was no sign showing how to reach the real one. We later learned it was a hike up the big rock and over to the other side. You cannot see the Trinidad lighthouse from the bay and the town!

The Lighthouse Eatery was right there, and we got on the waiting list. I had a glass of Malbec and Matt a stout while we waited. We were offered the counter, or we could wait longer; we took the counter to the cheers of the other people waiting as they would then get our table soon.

The place was slammed, and it took some time to get our order in and for our food to appear. But we were not in a hurry, and the folks were friendly and helpful. We both had fish and chips as the menu was priced a bit high for more fancy dishes. I tried a cup of the chowder, and while homemade, it was not great but good. My tastes are off from the thrush and treatments, so I don’t count my vote against them. The fish and chips, three pieces, were in a light, perfect batter, with thin fries that were perfectly fried and served with malted vinegar. The little coleslaw on the side was creamy and matched the excellent tartar sauce. An excellent meal. Matt V finished my fries as I am still using steroids. The gal next to me had a slab of local salmon, and she said it was perfect. We also heard some folks from Atlanta praise the cooks. So, our good karma continued with our random choice. Just let the universe pick for us while paying attention to the usual signs and portents (that there was nearly no parking at the place, which was the best karmic influencer for us).

Following the drift of the place’s currents, Matt V found Jot’s Resort online at the Rogue River for much less than other lower-rated places nearby. Matt ordered a room with two beds unseen, and soon, we were back on the road. Two hours later, we arrived, having just crossed the Oregon border. The place is excellent. It is right on the river and has a little balcony and a view of the river.

Soon, we were in bed early, and I was fighting the steroids to find sleep. I managed to sleep after midnight and woke two times for proof of hydration, but I was able to soon fall asleep after each event. So, more sleep tonight.

Thanks for reading.

The morning started with Matt V and me rising at about 6:30 and heading to a wonderful breakfast at the Best Western. The breakfast included chorizo, which Matt declared as good as you can find. Matt also tried out the pancake machine and loved it. I have to reset carbohydrates and anything that might raise my sugar levels. The steroids are already hammering my sugar up.

First, Matt piloted Air Volvo to Stanford, and we saw a nice garden, their Arizona garden. However, there was no parking, so we just looked from Air Volvo. After that, Air Volvo delivered us to Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, which is a couple of acres of flower and shade plants. We walked through it, and the hummingbirds enjoyed some morning lectures and were not scared of us. It was an excellent place to help center yourself.  Recommended for a short visit.

Next, we headed to the Intel Museum only to learn that their website had not been updated and the place was open only during work days. We then drove the shore drive in Mountain View just to see it and found, without a plan, part of Google’s WHQ and a section open to visitors. Matt parked Air Volvo, and we walked up to a friendly person with a booth. They explained that the cafe, store, and art were open to visitors. There was a small crowd already, and enjoy the excellent baked goods for sale with coffee at a reduced price. The aesthetics were wonderful and seemed friendly, and you could buy real products at a good price and various tchotchkes, including a Google basketball. I managed to resist both.

We were there to open the Computer Museum, which I think could be best described as a Hardware Computer Museum. It focused on the creation of the computer and its development into what we have now. Less on software but a focus on transformation, including the creation of the modern web browser and the long-forgotten Web 2.0 drive (which now is just called the Internet). The SAGE military items from the Cold War have moved from the Smithsonian (the last place I saw them) to this place, and Matt was fascinated by the 32 mm scale clear model.

A lot of the guts of long-dead systems were presented, and I was excited to see the components and the incredible handwork involved in making these things. The old core memory frames were there, too. I saw an IBM 32 that I had forgotten about (and used). The IBM 1401 was running as a demo, and I once again got to smell that IBM mix of ions and oil in the cold, raised floor room. I had not been in a computer room with IBM equipment and had forgotten the smell, but I recognized it the minute I was in the demo room.

I found my original computer model, a Sinclair ZX-80, the assembled kit version. Dad thought I would find it interesting and maybe something I could get into, so he filled out the Popular Mechanic ad and bought it. We set it up when it showed up, and I wrote my first BASIS program from the book that came with the machine. After hours, we noticed our version did not have the ‘;’ on the line. When we added it, the program worked as expected. My first successful code and debugging adventure; I think I was 14. Dad had only worked in machine language, so this was all new to him. I spent much of my time learning and playing on the machine. I sold it and got a VIC-20 next. I was happy to see one again; it was in fine shape, but mine had cracks and heavy wear when I sold it.

We saw many things and went through the software area, too, which was a bit weak. I would recommend the place to any computer geek.

We returned to the hotel and walked over to the local Mexican place, where I tried the chili relleno, taco, and enchilada. They were not great, but they were good. I rested and then dressed for the wedding, my grey suit with a pocket watch, French blue button-down shirt, and a 1980s Structures tie (Structures, long gone, was one of The Gap company’s attempts to break into Men’s clothing) that seemed to fit the colors. Matt got his hiking stuff, and Air Volvo climbed into the local high hills and twisting roads. I was fifteen minutes early, and the wedding started forty-five minutes late. Jason, the groom, welcomed me. I found David, the father of the bride, and distracted him from talking about anything while we waited for the guests to arrive. Michelle, mother of the bride and David’s wife, also chatted until photos and other wedding items drew her away.

David with his camera.

The view was typical California-lovely, and the day was slightly cool, which was perfect. The pastor was from Canada, and Jason and their family (also present) had known him for years. Soon, a long, Christian-faith-based service started, intermixed with Bible passages and music. Jason and Natasha wrote their own vows, with Jason going on for a while and Natasha to the point and beautiful. Jason took some ribbing for his lengthy speaking habits and being a Harvard-educated lawyer.

Aside: I will not cover what was said as that is Natasha and Jason’s story to tell. They listed Susie Wild as one of the people they remembered on the wedding program.

We moved to drinks and finger food while pictures and other wedding business were being conducted by the wedding party. I tried the chardonnay from the winery, Thomas Fogarty Winery. It was not too sweet. I liked the red better, which I had after finding some cheese and crackers to not have a second glass of wine without some food! I talked to some folks I did not know, going with my usual checklist of subjects at a non-Nike party (an acquired skill after being promoted to mid-level manager while retaining single contributor status). The wine helped, and the steroids pushed me a bit, too. Also, weeks of being homebound made me very interested in talking and listening to people.

Michelle and Cat with a suspicious character.

After an hour, the wedding party joined us. Natasha was a knock-out in her wedding dress, and Cat (the first time I had seen her in make-up) was amazing, with her eyes darkened and now standing out. Michelle was also in a tight, short, colorful dress that made her stand out even with all the young gals in flowing dresses. Excellent.

Soon, dinner started, and I had a seat in front of Jason and Natasha, who were on a balcony one step above me. I had a filet mignon with a peppercorn sauce and grilled Brussels sprouts. I got my third glass of the other red, and it was the best. It was very drinkable, Lexington something. The traditional toasts and first dances were done. Natasha and Jason did a dance routine that included lifts and moves you would see in a dance show. The floor had a raised nail, and Jason fell with Natasha, landing on him. Nobody was hurt, and I was happy they fell inward, as it is a three-story fall over the railing! No more mishaps occurred except for a stopped song, to the embarrassment of the DJ. He told me that never happens, and he was mortified. I told him he was doing a great job.

The sunset and the heaters were lit, and men’s jackets covered most of the shoulders of the bridesmaids and the bride. With the cake cut, we all headed inside for the dancing and distribution of cake (and coffee!), I started to lose my balance and sat with Michelle, David, Barton (David’s brother), and David’s mother (her name was forgotten this morning). I had some cake (breaking the carbohydrate and sugar rule–wedding cake should not be refused). I said my goodbyes to Jason and Natasha. I connected with Matt and David. David, who was dancing through the dance floor with Cat, walked me out. Matt soon found me, and we were whisked back to the hotel without incident.

I was soon showered, and in bed, and even with the fresh steroid dose, I was soon asleep. I got more sleep tonight, and I am sure yesterday’s 6,500 steps helped.

Thank you for reading.

The day started with me waking at 5 and finding breakfast, yogurt, and a banana with liberal coffee made in the French press. I then cleaned up, shaved, and dressed in my Jupiter Disco T-shirt and my blue cloth pants. My belt is pulled to the newest holes and barely holds on my pants. I am still losing inches and some weight. I finish, and then my colon decides it needs attention. I finish all of this just as Matt V arrives at 6. We move his red Prius into Air Volvo’s place in my driveway, and Matt takes over the piloting. We set navigation to Redwood City and head south in Air Volvo.

While traveling, we talked about gaming items. We are both DMs, and we play and run games for each other. We talked about the 5E version of Dungeons and Dragons and the upcoming enhancements coming in 5.1 (most known for correcting the once-popular ranger class, which was less well-received in 5E). We also talked about some history. The time seemed to go by fast. Matt V and I have known each other for decades, but we seldom have taken the time to chat. We are busy playing. It was nice.

At noon, we stopped in Redding, California, and we refilled Air Volvo. We stopped at KFC and had the special two chicken legs plus a side and a biscuit for 2.99. I had three legs, and Matt V got all the carbo-loaded mashed potatoes and biscuits. I had a side of coleslaw.

We have no issues and no close calls until we reach California. Some unusually aggressive drivers came close to scraping the paint, but Matt avoided any issues. We arrived in Redwood City about 4 (16:00) and soon found a Best Western with free breakfast and a nice room with two beds. Matt was surprised by how nice the room was. I find Best Western useful on trips like this with their free breakfast, clean rooms, and lack of price grubbing. We got a slight discount for seniors, and Matt is a former military member.

We have a tire warning for Air Volvo. I will reset it when I have a chance. The tires all look good and are solid. The temperature change usually triggers this, so we will just monitor it.

Once that was settled, Matt let me rest for forty minutes while he got some missing items. Across the street, we have a grocery store with a South American vibe and some Mexican food joints, too. It’s an excellent area.

Next, we headed to dinner at Harry’s Hofbrau House, which I had spotted on the way and Matt V had seen in his research. The rotisserie-cooked turkey leg with the usual Thanksgiving fixings for $12 looked like an excellent choice. Matt also wanted to try the Santa Slay stout beer–he loved it. I had a Spaten Lager. Dinner was, and we were told some of the best food in Red Woodcity, excellent and old school. I did not finish the starch-heavy potatoes and stuffing as the steroids are already playing havoc with my sugar levels. I had warm red cabbage and a cold pea salad with my meal. We also spoke to a local guy who looked great and was 68. Matt and I talked about some weight-loss options, and he told us about some memory-helping drugs he is talking about that he feels helped him. I added comments about walking but mostly listened. I had to turn to the right to hear him as he was on my left side, which is now profoundly deaf.

He told us there was a concert at the square in the old town. We all headed out. We moved Air Volvo and found a coin-pay parking spot. Matt V had coins and paid fifty cents to prevent a ticket. It was a few blocks from the party. The local bars and restaurants were busy. The crowd was not overwhelmingly large, but it was well-behaved and enough to fill the streets. We reached the music, and the Reggie band started to play again, and the streets were full of folks sitting in chairs enjoying the evening. We found Ghostwood and got some more drinks, wine for me, and beer for Matt.

We enjoyed the evening and the feeling. It was an excellent ending to our day. We rolled down the windows, killed the AC, and enjoyed the night air as we were Air Volvo brought back us to the Best Western.

I got some Tylenol and broke the ten-minute limit on walking. I was tired, and my feet were sore. I took more than 4,000 steps today!

Soon, I will be showering and getting ready for bed. I have to take steroids and anti-virals to try to stop the Bell’s Pasley and soon reverse it. It is not getting worse.

Thanks for reading!