(pronounced RogueDOG BLOG)
Early, I arrived early for several reasons. One, to get a good parking location near the location of the ship tours. Two, Sunday affords free all day parking on Bay St. Three, I wanted to get in, take the tour, then Im out. Unless I decide to change my mind, the all day parking affords that option.
The drive along the Embarcadero is quiet and serene with the glow of the sun behind me. Farmer's markets were a thing on Sundays at the Ferry Plaza.
Without further ado, the few videoes I took of the ships while waiting to board. Previously referenced, no videoes were allowed to be taken aboard and only the Monsoor was visible beyond the piers. The Monsoor was a showpiece and garnered attention as well as turn heads while in its berth. Thew newer of the available warships, the radical design stands as a sign of future design for military maritime vessels
Also on Sunday, I went to browse the other ship open to the puglic. The other two ships are part of the Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyer as opposed to the newer Zumwalt class of the Monsoor. Outfitted slightly differently, they are more like fraternal instead of identical twins.
Tours of the ships did not allow for video on and in the ship. Pictures could be taken of the exterior and selected internal areas. The Monsoor was docked on the side that faced Pier 39 and presented itself very well in the morning light
About 2 weeks ago, I was up in the Sacramento area to view the California Capital Airshow. Now the US Navy and Marines are in town as the City celebrates their service. Though virtual last year, the festivities are back in-person this year. Along with that announcement comes the familiar accutrements like the ship tours and the popular airshow, that performs over 3 days(Fri, Sat, Sun), headlined by the Navy's Blue Angels.
I wish I could find the footage that I took one year of the parade of ships sailing in under the Golden Gate Bridge and filming the Blue Angels show from the vantage point of the bridge and along the Marina Green. That year, a submarine and aircraft carrier were part of the line up. They even launched off of the angled deck while in the bay. Internet research states they had done this a handful of times over the years.
I forgot to preface this in part 1. One, it was a hot day in Rancho Cordova during the airshow. Luckily, it was a dry heat. All day long under the sun and heat, it eventually got to me. By the time the Thunderbirds started their show, I had to sit on the ground to watch the show. I should have drank more water but lesson learned. Also, I thought my camera was malfunctiong at one point. I could not take any video no matter how hard I hit the bottom. Later I realized the memory card was full with over 2 years worth of vacation pictures and movies. Over a thousand pics/videoes were deleted. Anyway...
Saturday morning and I took the drive up to Mather Airport in Sacramento. Weekend morning meant an easy 1.5 hour drive from the city. I got there at the wrong time because I ended up parking very far from the event grounds. They were directing people in rows from closest to farthest. They should have done closest cluster then next closest cluster, working their way out to give the earlier arrivals the better parking. Other people who arrive 2 hours after I did, recieved a shorter walk to their vehicle
Some friends told me about an event held in Pleasanton. It had its origin in southern California and it was brought to the bay area in 2018. Got in the car for the hourlong ride to the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Arrived a little after 4pm to a dry 95 degrees. The gates opened at 3pm and runs until 11pm. Entry at this time through the metal detectors and ticket gate was very quick. A contrast to much later in the day when I left.
On to the main attraction in Santa Cruz, the boardwalk. Moving away from the pier, a number of structures border the boardwalk. The first building houses the largest of the arcades. There are some smaller arcades as you walk toward the San Lorenzo river end.
Today in June 2021 was a most enjoyable day. The state relaxed mask mandates a few days ago and many businesses, restaurants, and entertainment/recreation spots have opened up. Its a Friday that I have taken off from work. Went out for breakfast, ran some errands and embarked on an 1.25+ hour drive down to Santa Cruz for the beach/boardwalk. After all that's what most of us go to Santa Cruz for.
Along the way, the car recorded exterior temps of 100 degrees at the peak of noon. Some congestion on Highway 17 at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It cleared up relatively quickly and it was smooth sailing into the city. Following Google's directions, I entered the beach/boardwalk area from the north. Normally, I would exit at Ocean and follow it down to the south side.
It had been over a decade since I had last visited Reno, Nevada. So, I decided to take the drive and stay overnight before returning. The video below needed to have audio removed due to copyright issues. There wasnt much to hear except for the music that I was playing.
As the vaccines become more widespread thoughts of travel can begin to take form. I will be getting my first shot soon with the followup several weeks later. All well before the summer months. For the first time, I have planned a trip for August.
In the northern area of Aomori, you cant throw a rock without hitting a neputa. And, I will try to hit as many neputa as I can, figuratively. Neputa or sometimes nebuta, are wire-frame floats that parade through the streets of many cities. The brightly colored floats come to life when they are lit and night time descends. The parading lanterns pop against a darkened sky with drums beating in time and flutes lifting spirits. These festivals land on specific days no matter what day of the week it is. But many will last long enough to occur one or both weekend days most times.
Aomori is the most well known of the festivals. Usually Aug 2-7. Here it is called nebuta. Back in 2011, this area was a layover on a train ride from Sapporro to Tokyo. There is a nebuta museum that I stopped into and saw some of the past nebuta that made their way thorough the city streets. Neputa are typically fan-shaped floats. There is none of that. Nebutas are large floats depicting scenes like battles between samurai/gods/dragons or moments in japanese lore to even whimsical themes. The commonality is the wire-frame structure, paper like covering over the wire-frame, lit from within, and the use of bright bold colors.
Hirosaki, Aug 1-7, to the southwest has their neputa festival and it comprises both neputa and nebuta. Instead of a loop around a certain part of town, they have different routes depending on the day. I was able to book a room at the Toyoko Inn near the station and hope to have a room with a view as one of the routes is directly in from of the station.
Goshogawara, Aug 4-8, is north of Hirosaki and they have tachineputa. Where Aomori is wide, Goshogawara is tall. 7 meter floats being carried by human power around the center of town. Adults and children pulling miniature neputa.
To the areas south and west of Hirosaki are Hirakawa, Kuroishi, and Owani. They too hold neputa parades but to a smaller extent. So small that I will end up dropping Owani from the list so I dont get neputa overload. Kurishi runs from Jul 31 to Aug 5 with 2 different parade routes. Hirakawa only lasts for 2 days, Aug 2-3. As I will be arriving in the area around 8/3, this will be the first one that I hit up. It happens, conveniently, in front of Hiraka station. It will be a good primer of the things to come over the next few nights.
From what I have seen, there will be several yatai at each of the parades. That being said, I will be indulging in unhealthy faire food for dinner for so many nights. Must try to sneak in vegetables or a nice salad in the afternoon.
Expect pictures during the trip and I will edit vidoes after my return. May post some short clips during the meantime
In August, I will be getting my neputa on!!
