….then you might be a redneck
If the bench seat to your mini-van is on your front lawn, and your lawn chairs are in your mini-van…….
Monthly Archive: June 2007
the summer of Kate
Kate moved back from Sac last week and is home for the summer. So great to have her around the house. She’s already lined up work at Togo’s and joined Bally’s for the summer too! You go Katie! You will have abs of steel and some “dough-ray-me” when you head to Sonoma State in the fall. For now, enjoy your summer honey! And don’t forget to sunscreen!
Summer Riding Season
The summer riding season kicked off today with a “Saturday at the Courthouse” ride. Every Saturday at 8am during the summer riding season, Vandenbusch and I ( and the Kahuna when he lived here) will try to meet at the local Starbucks (the courthouse) and head out on the Alameda Creek Trail. I usually take my road bike and stick to the paved trails, but today took the hybrid and planned on going off trail . At the end of Alameda Creek trail, we took a left and headed out on the levee road, taking the off road loop back to Coyote Hills. Must’ve been low tide of the century on the bay as the mudflats went for almost as far as the eye could see. As low a tide as I have ever seen. Back to Coyote and up heart attack, this time with a twist. 
At the top of Heart Attack hill paved trail is a single track that leads up and around the fence line of the old Nike Missile Base. We took that up and around and ended up on the last hill that leads down to the highway 84 over pass and to Don Edwards park. This was our turn around point. A place I’d never been before but have seen hundreds of times when coming over the Dumbarton Bridge. The view down into the quarry was amazing. In the few times we taken another trail over to Don Edwards, we could never see the bottom of the pit. But from the top of this hill we could see the blue pool of water at the very bottom. 
The bottom of the pit had to be 2oo feet below the bay line only a few hundred yards away! Took a couple of pictures to capture the “never been there before” moment, then started the trip back to Courthouse. We were back at Starbucks before 10:30 and had a nice dry-cap while Vandenbusch held court. Steve even pulled the old “I’m paying for coffee” trick where he only had 75 cents on his Starbucks card. Its OK because I somehow got an extra dry cap out of the deal! It really does pay to exercise!
Next Saturday, 8am, at the Courthouse.
Skunk Ride
Met at Starbucks today for the weekly ride. The Kahuna was in town for graduation festivities so he joined us, and it was just like old times. Camello leads a fast pace, pumping his legs so fast that Vandenbusch nicknamed him “the Portugese Piston”. Nice overcast morning as we made our way out to the bay. Caught some pretty stiff wind for such an early hour. Did the off road loop at the end of the trail, then up heart attack and off road again to the tippy top behind the Nike Missile base. We were going to walk down to show Camello the quarry when Steve spotted the skunk.
We decided to head in the other direction and enjoy the view of the bay instead. Heading back down and through Coyote Hills and saw another skunk! All these years of riding have never seen a skunk, and then see two on one ride. Must be skunk season, or the company I’m keeping! Nice ride back with tail wind most of the way. Vandenbusch peeled off to go to a little league reunion baseball game, while the Kahuna and I peddled back to Starbucks and enjoyed a coffee. Great way to start the weekend.
Sacramento River Ride- Part II
Up to El Dorado Hills this weekend to do another ride. Steve picked me up at noon Friday and we were swimming in the Kahunas pool by 3pm. Kick back Friday afternoon on a nice hot day, lounging by the pool, playing some drunken croquette and just having a nice relaxing time. Had a great dinner of chicken kabobs with “Camello grown” veggies. YUMMY!
Up early Saturday and off to the River for our ride. There was a river walk going on so the trail was a bit crowded at first. Once we passed all the walkers it was great. We actually crossed the river and road about 8 miles down stream and crossed back over. Vandenbusch actually tried a river crossing on his bike at one shallow part. He only made it about 2 feet, but then proceeded to pick up his bike and walk/wade across the river to the other side!!
The ride back to the staging area was great. Onto single track for most of the way, through shade covered trails that hug the river. It doesn’t get any better! After the ride it was off to breakfast then back to the house for a quick jump in the pool, ( AAAAHHHHHHHH) and then on the road for the drive home. It was around 1pm as we were heading back. Steve and I were saying that its a great little 24 hour trip. Can’t wait til next one!
UPDATE: VANDENBUSCH CONTRACTS POISON OAK – Steve came down with a bit of poison oak on the ride Saturday. Seems that he went off trail to let a couple of ladies and their dogs go by and ended standing knee high in a patch of the noxious weed. He is paying for the act of kindness today. Should’ve just run em off the trail Stevie!
Puppy Power
We were lucky enough to get to watch the Lewellyn’s new puppy for a few hours yesterday. Bella is one cute pup. Here she is eating an almond from our tree.
Peaking
Vandenbusch had planned this Mission Peak hike about a week ago. Turned out to be a great day for it. Steve and Vicky, along with Michelle and John, picked us up a little after 8am and we headed to the Ohlone trailhead. Felt a little like the Beverly Hillbillys in the van since Steve had taken the middle bench seat out of his van (for work reasons) and replaced it today with a couple of lawn chairs! Nice touch Vandenbusch! No overcast for the first morning in a while. We did our usual 90 minute pace and by 10:15 we were enjoying some snacks and eachother’s company on the peak. Mt. Tam, poking its head out of the fog in the distance to the north. 
Mt. Diablo, bathed in sun and already brown, looming to the east. It still amazes me to stand a top Mission Peak and look down at so much civilization to the west, then turn 180 degrees and see so much wilderness to the east. Singing and laughing and talking as we made our way down, we decided to have a deli sandwhich for lunch/reward. Back in the van and off to Munchner Haus Deli near the Hub. Muncher Haus has been in Fremont for 20 years and offers a real German style deli experience. Triple decker turkey on wheat and a couple of Spaten Optimators and we were good to go!
Mother\’s Day-Father\’s Day-Garbage Day
I can never remember when my brother’s birthdays are. John reminded me this morning that today is Mike’s birthday. My parents used to say that I was born on Valentine’s Day, Anne Marie on Mother’s day, Mike on Father’s day and John on garbage day. That helps but I still forget. Anyway. Happy Birthday Mike. I miss you bro.
And happy belated birthday John. And you too sis!
Anne Marie, baby John, and Mike, dressed for success on a big day in the city.
Irish Night Part II – Bonds #747
Can a men’s night out be any better? Especially on a Monday! Al Shull, friendship circle gold member and holder of Giants season tickets, invited me to “Irish Night” last night. The luck of the Irish comes through again! Al picked me up at 3pm for the 7:05 start. Headed across the bay and up 101 into the city. Made a stop at the local Airgas facility on the way to take care of some business then it was off to the park. We had a little time to kill before the game so we grabbed a seat at the bar in the Acme Chophouse and had a couple of drinks and dinner. Irish dancers outside in Willie Mays Plaza made for a festive atmosphere. Had some quality time with Shull at a place where he may be most comfortable. A bar stool. When we walked in the place was almost empty. As game time approached the place started to fill up with Giant fans. By the time we ordered dinner, the place was hopping. Would the Giants ever score another run? Could they ever win another game? Would Barry ever hit another homer? All these questions loomed as game time approached.
Dinner was one of the best rib-eye steaks ever! Mama Mia! We ordered dinner at the bar. Couple of salads, my steak and Al’s beef (melt in your mouth) short ribs, side of fries and a diet coke. It doesn’t get any better! What I like about the Chophouse is that they have their own private entrance into the park. Very Cool and always less crowded.
Up to the Shull seats on the first base side. I don’t think there is a bad seat at the park and Al’s are no different, second row in the view section with views of Bay Bridge and McCovey cove, and blocked from most of the wind. We watched the Blue Jays finish up batting practice and settled in as the game started. Steve and Phil had taken the train up and joined us to watch the Giants take on Toronto in inter-league play. Toronto took an early lead but Matt Morris settled down and pitched a great game. Barry hit number 747 on a 440 foot frozen rope in the 4th to tie it and Ray Durham scored on a squeeze play to go ahead. What more can a guy ask for?!?!?!? Thank you Al, for dinner and the game. You are a true friend. Thank you God for making me Irish. And thanks for the Giants win!
