Kids Love Seals and Sea Creatures in La JollaKids like seals. You can walk right up to them in La Jolla. Then kids get bored so there are other things to do too.
Travel
June 12, 2012
My latest trip for Trip Advisor on Everytrail.com
Kids Love Seals and Sea Creatures in La JollaKids like seals. You can walk right up to them in La Jolla. Then kids get bored so there are other things to do too.
June 11, 2012
Captain Fred
Captain Fred briefs the passengers with a tight, funny speech that covers all the bases.
People who are perfect for their jobs fit a need, fill a niche and make everyone who comes in contact with them better. And I've only met one such person.
Captain Fred. Captain Fred owns and operates the Lu-Lu Belle out of Valdez Alaska and he is the best charter captain in the state of Alaska. And, because Alaska's waterways are probably the most challenging in the world I'm putting Captain Fred at number two or three in the world.
Fred Rodolf came to Valdez Alaska in 1979 and he's been, by his own admission, "marrying, burying, touring and ferrying people ever since. He took us to the Columbia Glacier, and blew our minds. But before that, he introduced is to dozens of otter, allowed another dozen Dall's Porpoises to surf his wake, brought us close at least five humpback whales and about a thousand Steller's Sea Lions.
And loved every minute of it. Captain Fred, his crew and passengers as well as the animals he so lovingly showed off to us. As if they were treasured members of his family.
Though we didn't see Puffins -- those black and white birds with amazing beaks who nest in caves -- the search for them was one of the highlights of the trip. Captain Fred took the Lu-Lu Belle into a cave that was only a foot wider and about 30 feet shorter than the boat. We didn't see the birds but we got the best display of boat driving from the most unassuming man you'd ever want to meet.
A view from the stern walkway shows the Lu-Lu Belle crammed into a cave as his spotter measures his distance to the rocks in inches.
And you'll want to meet Captain Fred. While shoe-horning his 65' boat into a cave, or through an ice field, Captain Fred discourses about maritime issues, local history, the many famous explorers who visited Alaska and shares a few ideas about oil and the state. And all of it in a conversational, low-key tone that leaves his passengers hanging on his every word.
A kindly older gentleman, a wise humorist and a top notch story teller would be enough for me -- and probably anyone who visits Valdez Alaska. But Captain Fred runs a clean, tight, perfectly appointed ship. His crew love him, which was apparent by the awe and respect they showed in his presence and his touch on the rudder and engines is probably legendary throughout Prince William Sound.
I asked Captain Fred if the Coast Guard sent their captains in training to him for lessons on how to navigate the craigs, islands and ice fields of Valdez and he laughed and sheepishly said, "I guess they do."
The wildlife was truly spectacular, as was the view but the seamanship of Captain Fred is what I took away from my seven hours aboard the Lu-Lu Belle. Here's information because I will hound you until you go: http://www.lulubelletours.com/
Columbia Glacier of Lu-Lu Belle's stern bow.
June 01, 2012
My latest guided walk on Every Trail
La Jolla Shores, Scripps Pier and Two SwingsA walk from La Jolla Shores Beach to Scripps Pier, across a pedestrian bridge to two hidden tree swings.
May 28, 2012
#RollerDisco
So a group of friends met me at Skate World in Linda Vista. The event? Roller Disco (or #RollerDisco as we call it in the age of Twit). The reason? To have fun.And have fun we (for the most part) did. There were some bruised knees, my bottom hurt for a few days and one lucky unfortunate twisted a knee exiting the hard wood rink floor. Good news? The carpet landing was at least a little softer.
See the photos here... and you can watch the video below. Maybe the next time you are invited to an event called Roller Disco, you'll go...
May 20, 2012
May 19, 2012
April 17, 2012
March 23, 2012
The Origin of the Doushey Basket (#dousheybasket)
The hashtag #dousheybasket can be used to refer to anything you pay too much for, especially if you pay too much for it in order to look better to the people who shop at the Little Italy Farmer's Market.
Besides, no matter how hard you try my wife and I are the doushey-est people there.
It all started on a normal Saturday afternoon at the La Jolla Farmer's Market -- oddly the second doushy-est farmer's market in the county. Jennie wanted one of the robo-baskets that a nice European-looking woman was selling. We asked the price. $40.
After her pitch (it was made in Germany with strong materials and Eurpoean design touches and better engineering), we thought it was worth the price. Especially because it would complete our doushey traveling-to-farmer's-markets-ensemble: a Smart Car.
This became apparent when we went to the Little Italy Farmer's Market in the Smarty (only we can call it Smarty; because you don't own one, you have to call it The Smart Car). We tooled past all the Range Rovers, Fiats and Priuses; we popped into an impossibly small parking spot and -- the piece de resistance?
We opened the back window (you can do that with the touch of a button in a Smarty) and pulled out the $40 basket. We knew it was cool because people didn't look at us until after we'd passed. It was such a pleasure paying extra for things and putting them in out too-small, over-heavy and exorbitantly expensive Doushey Basket. How do we know we paid too much for it?
The only thing we do that hipsters don't do, apparently, is shop at Safeway, where we saw the very same basket for $9.
It's still worth it, though.
The Origin of the Doushey Basket (#dousheybasket)
The hashtag #dousheybasket can be used to refer to anything you pay too much for, especially if you pay too much for it in order to look better to the people who shop at the Little Italy Farmer's Market.
Besides, no matter how hard you try my wife and I are the doushey-est people there.
It all started on a normal Saturday afternoon at the La Jolla Farmer's Market -- oddly the second doushy-est farmer's market in the county. Jennie wanted one of the robo-baskets that a nice European-looking woman was selling. We asked the price. $40.
After her pitch (it was made in Germany with strong materials and Eurpoean design touches and better engineering), we thought it was worth the price. Especially because it would complete our doushey traveling-to-farmer's-markets-ensemble: a Smart Car.
This became apparent when we went to the Little Italy Farmer's Market in the Smarty (only we can call it Smarty; because you don't own one, you have to call it The Smart Car). We tooled past all the Range Rovers, Fiats and Priuses; we popped into an impossibly small parking spot and -- the piece de resistance?
We opened the back window (you can do that with the touch of a button in a Smarty) and pulled out the $40 basket. We knew it was cool because people didn't look at us until after we'd passed. It was such a pleasure paying extra for things and putting them in out too-small, over-heavy and exorbitantly expensive Doushey Basket. How do we know we paid too much for it?
The only thing we do that hipsters don't do, apparently, is shop at Safeway, where we saw the very same basket for $9.
It's still worth it, though.
December 07, 2011
Repurposed Vinyl, Recycled Records
Repurposed Vinyl. It's about time. How long have those records been collecting dust? Want the song on Mp3? You can find it! Want something cool to hold stuff? Made out of retired records? Look no further! Record Holders! (http://coolrecordholders.blogspot.com/) sells, well, cool record holders. Records made into boxes, bowls, pencil holders and... well. It's just a really coo concept. See for yourself! Click a photo and go crazy!
