Lighthouse and Sea Lions for Christmas

{Our trip begins with Day one.} I had told Arno the night before that I wanted to be on the beach Christmas morning for sunrise photos. It helps to tell someone else when there’s a good chance I’ll blow off my own plans. “Sunrise is at 7:52,” he announced as soon as I started moving. […]

Mono Lake, then north again

I was surprised at the numbers of birds there, assuming the water was somehow poisonous. But it’s not poisonous, just salty.

Dante’s View and Scotty’s Castle

Not one of them saw a return on their investment except Johnson, who got a mad storyteller and a desert guide out of the bargain.

Below Sea Level

Obviously the main attraction of Death Valley is the fact that one can stand on dry land below sea level. Moses ain’t got nuthin’ on southern California.

Northern California feels like home

I lived in Humboldt for over 7 years and Miss T has been coming back to see her dad her whole life. So the redwoods and the northern Pacific are home to us.

Other things you can do in Nagasaki

Spectacles Bridge was built by Zen master Mokusu Nyojo, and is the oldest stone bridge in Japan.

Yumihari Observatory above Sasebo

When we were done taking advantage of our hosts’ incredible balcony, they told us there was an observatory at the top of the mountain. Observatory turns out to mean, in Japan, a viewpoint.

Shinkansen from end to end

I hadn’t even time to settle into Iwakuni when it was time to hit the road again. Or, should I say, hit the rails, because I traveled by train. The Shinkansen is called the bullet train for good reason. It’s FAST! I envisioned spending my day leaned back in a comfortable seat, gazing out the […]

Shinjuku, then Iwakuni

I was never so glad to have an actual bed, rather than trying to sleep upright in cramped airplane seats.

Visiting the Treasure Valley

Tara’s Spring Break was last week, so I took the week off work, and we made plans for a road trip. Arno suggested going to Moab, Utah, since that is what he and the boys have done multiple times in the past. T and I were game. We went in separate vehicles, since I could […]