Hangin' in the Bay Area

Kate and I have been working a program at CAL for the past two weeks, which has taken us into SF, over to Stanford and Santa Cruz, and some time in Berkeley. 

This is the first thing you see after exiting the BART at Powell Street. 

A great organization helping young writers in the Bay.  826 Valencia was founded by Dave Eggers, among others. 

 

Stanford's immaculate gardening and landscaping art. 

These balls are just begging to be thrown.  Sorry, no stuffed animal prizes today. 

A girl and her bike at Stanford. 

Although we did not see any vampires on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, we did see plenty of stuffed bunnies. 

An alley in the Mission that is completely filled with graffiti. 

The empty chairs of the swing ride on the boardwalk. 

This is Kate's favorite California flower - what is it? 

Kate treated me to birthday margaritas. 

My Birthday Lens - Thanks Kate

For my 35th birthday, Kate gave me this great new Canon lens (EF 50mm 1:4).  Here are some of my test pics...

Valencia, from my Iphone

Here are the pics Kate has been clamoring on about: 

Our favorite little bodega - this was a gem along the tourist strip of Valencia.  

This bartender would create miracles in her tiny kitchen.  She would also serve us plenty of canas: 

These little tiny glasses make the beer go down a lot more quickly.  

Another shot of the bar/kitchen. 

We spend a day in Valencia's "City of Sciences"  The highlight was the aquarium, where we were treated to a dolphin show, and lots of sharks, crabs, and these jellyfish.  

More jellyfish...are you happy now, Kate?