Emily and Linda’s Travel Blog

If you know us at all well, you know that getting up at 5:00 am to catch a plane is NOT on our list of favorite things to do (I was reminiscing this AM about a time in my young life when that was exciting - Linda recalled no such time). But despite our (my) worries about new pandemic rules and horrible wait times, everything went pretty smoothly. Jet Blue remains my favorite domestic carrier. They just don’t make it more awful than it needs to be.  

We arrived in San Francisco and were delighted to see that since we were here last, the new terminal has been named for Harvey Milk, gay activist and first openly gay Supervisor in SF who was assassinated 11 months into his first term.  It was moving to see his pictures and the story of his life all around us as we deplaned. 

Bucking the modern trend, there were a number of comfy lounge areas and even a special one for kids

Our early departure meant we were able to pick up a car and beat it out of SF before rush hour. But really, do you mind traffic delays when you’re in San Francisco? So much to look at and wonder about while waiting. Despite traffic, we arrived in Petaluma, CA in plenty  of time for some of our signature lounging before dinner at the Wild Goat Bistro which was a highlight of our 2018 trip. Linda ordered exactly the same meal as last time - the "4 cheese, fig and pig pizza" (fig, cheeses, prosciutto, and arugula)  and declared it equal to her fond memory 

We shared a pair of crab cakes with corn puree and I had carrot ginger soup and salad - all delicious

Back at the hotel now. Our goal is to stay up until 9:30 PDT. We'll see. 

Tomorrow off to Arcata, CA in beautiful Humboldt County. 

These days we have to take our adventures where we can. Today I had business in Murray Hill (East 30s in Manhattan). I ventured onto public transportation for the first time since March. Since I was right by the East 34th St. Ferry slip, I decided to take the all outdoors ride home.  On the way, I passed this good boy wearing his mask and balancing a full sized taxi on his nose (outside the Hassenfield Children’s Hospital). 

Waited in line for about 10 mins then boarded the ferry

The route took us to Hunters Point first, then stops in Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and DUMBO.  Hunters Point was a surprise of autumn color

Perfect time for a cruise along Lower Manhattan 

Reminders that Brooklyn is still a working Port

Finally landed at DUMBO with great views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan BridgeS And the Carousel just as the lights were coming on.

9 weeks of being on "Pause" in NYS. Some counties are starting to re-open, but Brooklyn will be a while yet. 

Last week we had some visitors from Cologne, Germany - Sam And Hannah (Sam is the son of an old friend from Berkeley). On their last night in New York, we decided to take them out for shuffleboard at the Royal Palms in The Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn. 

It's a quirky fun spot in what used to be an industrial area, but is now part of hipster Brooklyn. 

The first court available was in 45 minutes so we checked out a card game to play and got drinks at the bar. Good thing I chose Uno because they knew the rules Linda and I had long ago forgotten. 

After our brief lesson (included in the court fee), we spent a very enjoyable hour playing badly, but with enthusiasm.  

Then afterwards, we made our way to the bay designed for a rotating roster of food trucks (the specialty that night was meatball sandwiches) and had dinner while watching other folks playing their matches. 

The bouncer outside kindly took a picture of our group before we headed home. 

On Boxing Day, we joined Julie and Chris Larkin and Margaret Cowden for an outing in celebration of Julie's birthday. We started off at the Museum of the City of New York 

It’s always got interesting things going on. We spent some time in the New York at its Core Exhibit which had some fascinating maps on diversity, density, and money from the early 1900s forward and an interactive display where you could learn about various key figures in NYC history of that era.  I confess I was embarrassed to learn that Khalil Gibran was a New Yorker.  

Upstairs I delved into a couple of other interactive exhibits about the census and counting New Yorkers.  There was a table with ipads and a program that allowed you to look at any census tract and note correlations between factors there.  I was looked at the correlation between single motherhood and poverty (not surprisingly it’s strong and more so in some neighborhoods than others). You can also access this tool online at data2go.nyc  

They also have a project going where you sit and answer questions about yourself and your values and then it generates a visual representation of your "profile" and adds your data to a series of collective diagrams.  You can get a button made of your profile at the gift shop.  

Linda meanwhile was designing a virtual park in Gowanus and then standing on a designated spot to have her image projected into it.  Definitely a return visit is in order  

Next we had a great Thai lunch at Malii on Second Ave  (food was good, but believe them when they say it’s spicy).  Photos are of pumpkin curry and spicy basil chicken  

The Larkin sisters:

After lunch we strolled down Second Ave. to see The Women Street Photography exhibit at PS109 which includes Linda's entry.  On the way some interesting sights  

Here’s Linda's photo and one of the group with gargoyle (they rescued the gargoyles from the school facade when it was being turned into an art space)  

Our visit to the Huntington Library included the desert garden which I remembered fondly from 30 years ago. It’s grown more spectacular since then. Such a variety of textures, colors, and shapes. Fascinating and beautiful. Here are some of my favorites:

Where they get toothpicks?

Thursday we made our way to Pasadena to visit some dear family friends, Linda and Bruce Calkins whom I've known since childhood (Bruce was the associate pastor at Soundview Presbyterian Church and then took over the pulpiit when my dad left). They now live in a community developed for retired Presbyterian ministers and their spouses. We had a walk around their community followed by a trip to the Huntington Library and Gardens where Linda and Bruce are members.

 We lunched in the Chinese garden. 

And afterwards took a stroll around the Lake

Towards the end of the path, this fellow was giving an afternoon concert. You didn’t have to know anything about his instrument (I confess I don’t even know the name of it) to know that he played it beautifully and with deep feeling and precision. 

Wednesday Linda an Maxine and I flew out to LAX and then drove over to Venice Beach where we had booked a couple of suites in Su Casa, a hotel right on the boardwalk. Venice Beach has changed a lot from the grungy surfer hangout we remembered from our college days, but it is still definitely rough around the edges, particularly at the end where we were staying. We realized our hotel was actually right next to a Phoenix House center (Max, who works in harm reduction, noted that maybe her work was following her. 

The night scene was a little daunting, with an odd mix of hipsters at boardwalk bars, skate boarders, street musicians, and homeless people.  But the next morning we had breakfast right by the ocean with a much brighter (though hazy) vibe. We weren’t sure how much of the haze was mist, or smog, or smoke from the nearby fires in Southern California.

Breakfast was at the Figtree Cafe where we particularly enjoyed the corncakes and the chicken sausage hash

Monday the weather was spectacular - a cool clear day with low humidity after a few weeks of muggy, sticky days. We met our friends Jane and Susan for lunch in DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge). We started at the fairly new Time Out Market - an upscale food court - and brought our purchases out to the picnic tables by the river. 

A kind fellow diner snapped a group pic for us  

Jane and I wanted to go on the carousel (which turns out to be called "Jane's Carousel"), but our partners were less enthused. We initially had aspirations to ride the stationary horses, but abandoned that plan as we contemplated how either of us was going to mount them (or perhaps more concerning, how we would dismount without an ER visit). Instead, we demonstrated our excellent adaptation skills and claimed a carriage seat (Jane's inner Brooklyn came out as she scrambled over to grab the best spot). 

Next stop was the roof deck at 55 Water St which has a spectacular view of the river, the carousel, and both bridges.

Susan gave the reclining bench a try and pronounced it enjoyable.

Before we left the neighborhood, Jane and I sampled the wares at Jaques Torres' chocolate shop - only one piece each, and insanely priced, but well worth the calories  IMHO

We've been in Greenport on the North Fork of Long Island for the past 5 days. We've had a great visit with our friends Margaret and Chris as well as visiting with other friends out here.  Last night we took in a local production of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure in Mitchell Park

Tonight we had dinner at a relatively new restaurant Port Waterfront Grill. Great spot with a wonderful view and an interesting menu. 

Then we walked over to Mitchell Park again - this evening for a country western band concert. 

There was singing, line dancing, and at least one very personal interpretation