Stinson Beach in Summer

Our closest sandy beach is Stinson and in the Summer it gets really busy especially if it's a clear sunny day along this usually foggy stretch of coast.

Summer update

Summer in Marin has begun. The hills have turned golden yellow which is quite stunning against the blue sky. When the fires all over the state began we were blanketed in smoke for a week or so but we seem to be back to normal most of the time now.  At the peak 1,781 fires were burning and the damage thus far is 675,631 acres of land with 96 homes lost. Big Sur was the most shocking loss and highway 1 is still closed making the traditional tourist route to SoCal impossible to take. The fire risk is still very high here. It has been 100 (38) degrees every day this week thus far and there are already water restrictions in place.

Fairfax Festival

Every town in Marin has its own festival but most will agree that the one in Fairfax is the most fun. First there's the parade, then the eco-fest with vendors filling the town pavilion, the beer garden, outdoor concerts and after parties in homes in the area. It's one big giant party.

A taste of summer

Well, it's May 14th, 7:30 in the evening and 33 (91 for yankees) degrees outside. The house is sweltering. There will be no rest tonight. 

Solution: a glass of ice cold Prosecco, have moved all work to the hammock branch of our office outside and am trying not to make sudden movements.

A normal life begins

Joel has been home for about three weeks now. The weather has been beautiful - though a little windy and Joel has spent every possible minute out on one of his (3) bikes. We've had a steady stream of house guests and have hosted half a dozen impromptu BBQs with our growing circle of friends here. It's starting to feel more like a home all the time.

I have a couple more weeks of school left at the Academy of Art for this semester. It's been fun so far. Not quite as challenging as I'd like but it's still good experience and I'm learning things I will use and tucking things away for my portfolio. I'm also meeting people and getting to explore the city on my own.

Our plans to go to Europe this summer have been put on hold to fund my uber expensive education which we're bummed about but it's also nice to just spend some time exploring where we are.

Farewell to Los Angeles Part Two - Moving Joel back home

After a full day of recovery from the wrap party we packed up Joel's apartment in Marina del Rey and crammed every last jar of peanut butter into a convertible we rented for the trip back to San Francisco. With a bicycle wheel packed tightly between me and the door (Joel is an expert packer) we set off this morning with a tiny point and shoot camera in hand and proceeded to spend a day mostly laughing and taking a series of random and somewhat ironic photographs which I have posted on facebook for the viewing pleasure (or turture) of our friends. It was a long day but a good one that ended with us finally crawling in the door to our house and getting into our bed and being home for good. We made it!! THE END.

Farewell Los Angeles Part One - The Wrap Party

So here we are, four months and four days since Joel came down to LA "for a few weeks". (I think they like him.) He's working his last day today though I'm not sure he is a picture of productivity. Last night was the wrap party - basically the shoot is over and the company threw a lavish party in a West Hollywood night club on Sunset Boulevard. I flew in last night just in time to make it to the party and meet the whole crew from A Christmas Carol. So we cut a rug til 11:30 or so and then 25 of us walked up to Perversion, a Goth/S&M club. It was one of the more entertaining club experiences of my life. I was half expecting to see those kangaroo guys from Tank Girl show up. It could happen. Around 2 when doors of the club were closing we piled into a Stretch H2 Limo which was painted in a Lion theme and had a hot tub on board. Oh boy would my mom be proud. So that was it, our night of debauchery in Hollywood.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea, a set on Flickr.

A beautiful stop along the old #1 (or PCH) headed to see Joel in LA.

Trails of Marin County

Marin is mostly park land with a small network of towns scattered along the coasts and through the valleys where the former rail line used to be. The older homes are craftsman cottages whose early owners were probably from San Francisco and likely used these in the Summers. Many of these places were never insulated and don't have proper foundations. The next influx of development was in the '50s which spread the California bungalow style through the area with the slanted roofs and hardwood floors and giant floor to ceiling windows. Lots are small and most back onto steep hillsides. For many people in Fairfax, San Anselmo, Mill Valley and other quaint little towns, residents have direct access to hill top trails that connect and spread out across the county. The trails are actually fire roads and once on these roads you can get all the way out to the coast if you just keep going.

Many of our neighbours are long distance trail runners, mountain bikers and road cyclists. I'm not much of a runner but I have started to do a walk/run on one of our closest trails. I took my brother up this hill on his visit at sunset. Not a bad view!

A weekend in LA

LA Spring 2008, a set on Flickr.