Northern California Rennaissance Faire

 Huzzah!  I have returned to the faire and on the final weekend of 2022 no less.  Literally decades since my last visit when they were located in Black Point Forest in Novato.  Additional info in the video following the posts

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival

 A few weeks ago, I chronicled a trip south of the city to the Fog Festival.  This time, I travel further south to Half Moon Bay.  With Halloween and autumn rolling in, they hold an annual street festival to celebrate the iconic gourd of the season.  This time of year, a person's fancy turns to pumpkin spice and Halloween.  Around HMB are a number of botanical green houses, tree farms, and produce growers.  Located right off the coast, foggy mornings can be advantageous for some plant life.  The quick drive from the city would be to travel south via US route 101 or Interstate 280 then head to the coast on 92.  The scenic route, that I took, hugs the coast along Highway 1.  I opted to take the festival at its soutern end early Sunday as the "main" festivities on Main St were officially opening at 9am.

Fleet Week 2022 - USS Kansas City Tour

 Like the year before, I not only viewed the parade but took part in a tour of one of the vessels in the parade.  This time it was just one.  Last year I was able to leave one tour then directly go to the other.  2022 required going back to the end of the long line.  The one chosen is the Littoral Combat Ship LCS 22, USS Kansas City.  Looks like they might have been in a fender bender?

Fleet Week 2022 - Parade of Ships

 In 2021, I ventured around the southern base of the Golden Gate Bridge to witness naval ships sail into San Francisco Bay.  Same idea, different year, different location.  This time, I walked to the middle of the bridge to observe the pageantry.  Spoiler, fog socked in the bridge for the majority of the show.  The fog hovered around the elevation of the road deck.  Below that, it was nice and clear

Pacifica Fog Festival

 Pacifica is a coastal town south of San Francisco.  I lived for a time no too far from its shores to the north.  Its not know for much because it is overshadowed by the big city and literally is in the shadow of Daly City.  

Pacific-a

A visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain, Santa Clarita, California

 Been on a recent bender to get on some roller coasters to recapture the thrills I experienced on these types of rides in my younger days.  Not long ago, I went to the Vallejo chapter of Six Flags, Discovery Kingdom(DK).  Six Flags has three levels of season passes with varying levels of access, benefits and prices.  Thrillseeker gives 12 months access to one park and parking.  Extreme lets you any Six Flags park with parking in addition to discounts at retail and eateries.  Ultimate gets much of Extreme plus premium parking and full access with 10 meal vouchers.  The Extreme pass at Discovery Kingdom costs the same as the Thrillseeker at Magic Mountain(MM).

A few things I ate recently

Recently, I went on a trip and catalogged a few things that I dined on during those days I was away.  These are just a few things.  There were other items that were too mundane to note.  The first stop was in Santa Nella branch of Pea Soup Andersen's

A short day at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, California

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom started life as Marine World Africa/USA in Redwood City.  Its main attractions were the sea mammal shows, water skiing show, and zoological exhibits.  The land now lays claim to Oracle, Electronic Arts, and formerly Sega of America.  The park was moved to Vallejo then bought out by the Six Flags corporation.  Today its a theme park like most but it still keeps some of its heritage.

Grass Valley, CA

Grass Valley is located between the state capital of Sacramento and Reno, NV.  It is just off Interstate 80 and along Highway 49 which winds through Gold Country

Hawaii 2022 The last of it

I usually already have places in mind to eat at wherever I travel to.  I read about this place and a post in Yelp mentioned they would open today.  They were ahead of themselves.  I came here for breakfast the establishment was still renovating the business.  The doors were open but no one around.  So I left.

Hawaii 2022 Sunrise

An early start to the day leads to an early end.  

Hawaii 2022 Diamond Head

Moonset over Ala Moana Center marks the beginning of another day. However, it will still be several hours before I get up and head over to Diamond Head to hike to the summit.  I hiked it once before in my youth and wanted to see if I still had it in me to do it again.

Hawaii 2022 Flea Market and Pearl Harbor

A nice Sunday morning in Hawaii.

I throw open the curtains to gaze upon the enviable view of the top level parking spaces in front of the Macy's anchor to Ala Moana Center  Since I already had breakfast. I was hoping for a snack and ice coffee.

Hawaii 2022 Arrival

Flewout to Honolulu via Maui this morning without much issue. 

First time on Maui and I will only be here for an hour before the last leg of the flight to Honolulu.  Enough time to look around the airport