A Colorful Bike Ride to Downtown San Jose & Lunch at the Iconic San Pedro Square Market

For the most part Bill and were able to avoid car traffic during most of our 23-mile bike ride to downtown San Jose by accessing established biking trails. What keeps it fun and exciting is that you never know who or what you’re going to encounter. For example, we found ourselves riding alongside an old, funky, cartoonish-looking sedan. As we got to the stoplight ahead, we noticed large, bright yellow letters spelling out the words Lil unda. It practically took up the entire space of the passenger side of the car. While waiting for the light to change I asked the driver who was riding with a friend, if I could take a photo of the car. “Sure, bro, no problem,” he said. It turned out the car belonged to local rapper and hip hop artist that went by the name of Lil unda, who has a large presence in the Latino community.

Bill and I rode past the old Del Monte water tower, a park with the same name, a homeless encampment before we arrived to the downtown area. We rode under a big orange sign belonging to the Children’s Discovery Museum that read "Voyage to Vietnam Celebrating the Tet Festival, an exhibit that was open through the end of the year. As we approached Guadalupe River Park, The American Heart Association had a "Heart Walk" fundraising event. After stopping at one of the booths we continued on past the San Jose Civic Center. We then found ourselves riding between the shooting vertical fountains of Plaza De Cesar Chavez Park. A short time later we rode past the colorful San Jose Museum of Art that was featuring Portrait of the Artist, Yolanda Lopez. We saw the iconic Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph on Market Street.

Our final destination was colorful, outdoor lunch at San Pedro Square Market, a large open-air plaza surrounded by some historical landmarks that go back to the 1800s. Bill ordered a slice of wood-fired pizza and a side of salad from Pizza Bocca Lupa. I had a Chicken Banh Mi sandwich from On-a-Roll, Vietnamese Cuisine. After eating and taking a few photos of some colorful murals and paintings of the old Santa Clara Mission circa 1851, we headed back home.

Romantic Dinner with Cecile at Teleferic Barcelona Authentic Spanish Cuisine

“Food, in the end…is something sacred. It’s not about nutrients and calories. It's about sharing. It’s about honesty. It’s about identity.”

—Louise Fresco

I love the promo of Teleferic: A dinning experience that transports you to the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain without the need for a passport. Cecile and I love the Tapas Style model of sharing meals with loved ones. It allows you to try a wide variety of flavors and cuisines in a social and cultural setting as well as a culinary one.

The Mediterranean-style decor includes whitewashed, latticework, hand-glazed ceramic tiles. Our attentive waiter was Julio from Columbia. Cecile ordered a glass of Sangria and I had a bottle of Estrella beer brewed in Barcelona since 1876. We essentially shared four dishes: Empanadas: Roasted chicken served with spicy aioli. It is brought to the table on a metal rack with the empanadas situated sideways; Spanish Meatballs: Tender beef meatballs in a flavorful ‘canary masala’ sauce and cream; Crispy artichoke with light pistachio foam and red curry; and the fourth dish we ordered was a Southern Kebab: seasoned beef skewers with tomato hummus and basil dressing. Everything was delicious.

Teleferic Barcelona Barcelona is located between Sephora and Anthropologie in Old Town Los Gatos. it features a large outdoor patio in front, an expansive indoor dining area, a hidden private dining room, and a Spanish Market with high-end imported products from Spain. They have a signature open kitchen and marbles 360 bar. Other locations include Palo Alto, Los Angeles, Walnut Creek, Barcelona and Sant Cugat.

Special thanks to Kim and Al Chien for the gift card to Teleferic given to me for my birthday last August that we finally got around to using and it was worth the wait.

Sunday Brunch at Jack’s Restaurant with our Daughter Michelle and our Cherished Granddaughters Lyla and Emmy

Jack’s motto: “Make Great Food. Be Nice.”—Mama Eleni

Granddaughters bring to life a world of joy, laughter, endless love, and precious memories. They are a reminder of the beauty of life and they keep our hearts young.

We met our daughter Michelle and our granddaughters Lyla and Michelle at kids-friendly Jack’s Restaurant at Westgate Shopping Center for Sunday brunch. It is the fifth and newest restaurant established by the Marcovici brothers, second-generation restauranteurs.

The hostess provided the girls with crayons and a coloring sheet of paper. The first thing Cecile and I notice when eating out at a restaurant with the girls, is not only how much sunshine and smiles they bring us, but to couples in neighborhood booths. Lyla was wearing a red long-sleeved shirt accented with an abundance of hearts and Emmy was wearing a red short-sleeved shirt with a carousel horse that we brought back for her from a Riverfront shop in Spokane over a year ago that she had grown into. They both wore long necklaces and Emmy decided she wanted to bring along her blue balloon that she got at Lyla’s school friend’s birthday party. They both had pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and fresh fruit from Jack's extensive kid’s menu. We left the restaurant with our stomachs and hearts full. Kudos to our kid-friendly waiter Joseph—who has a five year old—for taking care of our needs and whom we awarded with a generous tip

Dinner at Jack's Restaurant with Friends Nelson and Susie Bye

“The only thing better than talking about food is eating it.”

—John Walters

Jack’s bills itself as an all-day, any day—as in seven days a week—family-run eatery with genuine, old-school hospitality that reflects the owners Greek-American heritage. It is a great place to celebrate life’s milestones like graduations, birthdays, engagement and weddings or one’s friendship. Since the beginning of time, cultures around the world have enjoyed a simple ritual: the act of sitting down with good friends or family to share a meal. It’s a time to break away from electronic devices and engage in the lost art of face-to-face conversation, sharing thoughts, ideas, laughs, future plans, and concerns which has a way to ease the stress of everyday life. Communal dining offers us a chance to learn more about each others’ favorite foods and drink, sample food you wouldn’t normally try when eating alone, and add new favorites to your culinary repertoire.

We decide to eat on the outdoor patio to avoid the echoing hustle-bustle and chatter in the inside dining areas. They also have a full bar and serve 16 beers on tap and a varied wine list. Nelson had a Blue Moon Belgian White and I ordered a Hefeweizen draft by Widmer brothers. Susie had a lemon drop martini. Nelson ordered a Coconut Shrimp appetizer for the table with Asian coleslaw, and sweet and sour dipping sauce. Cecile ordered a Jack’s mixed green salad for the table and for her entree she chose a Grilled Double Chicken Breast with veggies on the side. Susie ordered a Gyro with Lamb and Beef combo, on warm open-faced Pita bread with all the fixings including tzatziki. Nelson and I would normally choose something more substantial but decided instead to have Jack’s Burger with thousand island dressing, sautéed onions, American cheese on brioche seeded roll. Nelson also had the best onion rings I have ever tasted. For dessert we went to Yogurtland nearby chose our favorite flavors and toppings, before heading home.

Dinner with My Son Jason at Chika Mex-Cal Kitchen at Santana Row

As we walked to and from Chika’s Mexican Restaurant, we heard The Jinx Jones Trio performing to a large crowd. Jones who once played with Chuck Berry and other greats, is one of the top rock-ability guitarists on the music scene today. People were up and dancing outdoors en masse in front of the main stage and the American Bar (photos). For those not from around here, Santana Row is closed off to car traffic and is reminiscent of a European community.

Jason and I were on a mission to grab a drink and dinner at Chika, a restaurant that bills itself as a gourmet Mexican Rosticeria and doubles as a sports bar. Chika, in Spanish means close female friend. It was a windy and cool evening so we elected to eat indoors.

As we walked in, we saw a neon sign with the words Taco Love, teal tile flooring and a huge bar with well lit hanging basket lamps. Jason and I ordered a Chika-Rita, made up of Cazadores Blanca, Mama Pomegranate Liquor, Agave, Fresh Lime, and Fresh Orange Juice. For dinner Jason ordered Steak Fajitas with bell peppers and onions with cilantro rice, beans, warm corn tortillas and tomato salsa. I had a Chika Chicken Burrito. We’ll need to come back sometime for some of their more gourmet offerings.

There was unusual activity at Santana Row. About forty people were walking their dogs. It had to be a planned event and it caught everyone’s eye (Photo). After leaving the European setting and heading back to Cecile and my townhome, we also spotted about fifty bicyclists riding on Campbell Avenue (Photo). Again, it had to be a planned event, and seeing more than 10 biking enthusiasts riding together is also rare.

Bike Rides to Villa Montalvo & Guadalupe Reservoir in Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”—Joseph Campbell

My friend Bill and I went on two notable bike rides this past week. The first one was a 25-mile outing to Guadalupe Reservoir a part of the Almaden Quicksilver County Park, which at its highest point is over 1,700 feet above sea level with sweeping views of San Jose. The park got its name from their New Almaden Quicksilver Mines, named after the mercury mine in (old) Almaden, Spain. It produced the mercury that was used to process ore during California Gold Rush. The Guadalupe Reservoir is located high up along Hicks Road on Guadalupe Creek, a tributary of the Guadalupe River. It is so quiet, that if you see more than one car pass you by every half hour, that is a lot. Upon our return we stopped at Bill’s wood carver contact and supplier for some of his woodworking projects.

The second 17-mile ride, closer in, that we did today was to the iconic Villa Montalvo, the privately owned blooming Peach Tree Road gardens in Saratoga, and parts of Los Gatos, all located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Villa Montalvo is composed of a magnificent Mediterranean mansion with surrounding gardens, a cultural arts center and walking trails is one of the last great estates gracing the Santa Clara County countryside. The estate once belonged to James Duval Phelan, son of an ambitious Irish immigrant that made his fortune during the Gold Rush. Phelan became mayor of San Francisco and a United States Senator. Upon his death, the former senator with philanthropic bona fides donated Villa Montalvo to the San Francisco Art Association along with income to maintain the property as a public park. Currently, Villa Montalvo serves as a center for the arts. Today, resident artists live and work on the magnificent estate.

Postscript: Back in the day, I was part of a watercolor group called Saratoga Community of Painters for several years that included a retired CEO of Lockheed. Montalvo was not only one of our prized spots to paint, but our group also had an exhibit there and I was humbled by the fact that the director of our show at the time bought one of my paintings of the main mansion.

Parting Shots of our Recent Two-Wheeled Utopian Ride of the San Francisco Bay & Jimi Doing the Irish Jig

My friends Jimi and Jennifer Hunter, and Bill Rothenberg have done this group ride several times since COVID began and there were hardly any tourists to be seen. My son-in-law Kyle joined us on two of our rides including this one.

It was our port of call in the midst of a worldwide crisis. You can hear birdsong everywhere, especially the seagulls catching the thermals over the ocean front. The hardest thing for me to do is to edit the photos that I and my fellow cyclists take. As you know, I love to blog on Facebook and publish them on my blog site: enjoyyourlifenow.net

By doing so I get to relive and celebrate the experience anew. As joyful as it is, the task at hand is editing the photos I and those of my fellow cyclists take. These are some parting shots of our fabulous ride we took in San Francisco, Tiburon and Belvedere islands that include Alcatraz, Aquatic Park Cove, Fisherman’s Wharf, Battery Park, Bay Front Park, Fort Point, the Marin Headlands, Pier 39, the Sausalito downtown Waterfront, and a few more of the Golden Gate Bridge that we traversed. There is also a short video clip of Jimi doing the Irish Jig in front of a duet who were playing a small accordion and violin.

Cycling Over the Golden Gate Bridge & Taking the Ferry Back to SF from Tiburon & Belvedere

“There are some cities that don’t need a filter; they don’t need an introduction either. Once you experience them for first time, your heart gives in to their subtle charm, you lose yourself in the city vibes and you’re left longing to return. San Francisco is one of those cities.”

—Katrina Barriga Albring

My son-in-law Kyle, and good friend Bill loaded our bikes onto Bill's SUV at 8:15 AM Sunday morning and caravanned to San Francisco with our biking buddies Jimi and Jennifer Hunter out in front. It’s not often that the stars align so that we can take a group bike ride in the City. After parking at Fort Point, the Hunters led us on a frigid and invigorating ride over the mostly car-free Golden Gate Bridge, a historical landmark known worldwide. We had expected sunny skies, but the fog shrouding the bridge hadn’t lifted yet. After navigating the bridge crossing we rode along the waterfront to Sausalito, with its colorful home and Italian ambiance, nestled on the shore of the Marin Headlands. We then continued on to Tiburon and Belvedere. After lunch we cycled back onto the Marin ferry at 2:30 PM to return to San Francisco. Bill, Kyle, and I got back home just before 6 PM. It was a long but fulfilling and exuberant day, having completed about 34 miles.

With beautiful views of the coast, and picturesque neighborhoods, San Francisco is the ideal playground for anyone who enjoys exploring a city and the best way to experience what the City by the Bay has to offer is by hopping on a bike whether it’s your own or a rental.

Postscript: On the ferry back from Tiburon, Kyle and I agreed that in spite of the bad rep San Francisco gets in the media, by and large it is quite safe for visitors. Some places may be tricky to navigate like the Tenderloin, the Mission, and sometimes Union Square, and car break-ins, especially near the beach are extremely common, but for our purposes as bike riding enthusiasts, it is not a problem. And, in general people were out en masse along the Bay having a great day, walking their dogs, playing soccer and dining at the favorite restaurants, and riding their bikes all over town.

Cozy Outdoor Family Dinner at Trattoria 360 Italian Restaurant

Our daughter Michelle and husband Kyle treated us for dinner at Trattoria 360 in downtown Campbell for a belated birthday celebration for yours truly. We weren’t able to connect for my actual birthday on August 26, as they were on a beach vacation in Del Mar in San Diego County with our granddaughters and Cecile and I were at the Seascape Resort Beach in Aptos. So last night was the night, an early dinner on the eve of the long Labor Day Holiday weekend. It was such a treat to see them and our granddaughters, Lyla and Emmy again. The hostess escorted us to a cozy outdoor table. The girls told us about their beach vacation in colorful, animated ways that you’d expect from a child. Trattoria 360 was a first time event for all of us, so we weren’t sure what to expect.

Our charming waiter, who spoke with an Italian accent, introduced himself as Damiano. I asked him where he was from and he said Rome. He sized me up and asked me how about you? I said my mother was born in Sicily, I have cousins in Sicily, in Rome, an aunt and uncle and cousins from Torino (Turin) and the tone for the evening was set. Of course, I added that Michelle and Kyle had spent several months in Florence during their school abroad program while in college.

Kyle ordered an IPA and I asked Damiano what kind of Italian beers he had. He pointed to beer section of the menu. I didn’t see the more popular Italian beers like Peroni or Moretti, so I chose a Mendbrea Bionda, a light premium lager beer. Michelle and Kyle ordered up some starters for the table. Cozze Al Pepe (Steamed Mediterranean Mussels, with white wine marinara broth, served with toast); Burrata Casareccia (Fresh Burrata Cheese served with tomato, basil & Arugula; Insulate Pomodori (Tomato, Gorgonzola, Basil, Olive Oil Dressing). We also collectively ordered Tagliolini (long like spaghetti with Italian Sausage); Gnocchi Formaggi (Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Cheese), and Salmon All Livornese (Wild King Salmon Fillet grilled, with capers, olives, Cherry tomatoes, Garlic, Fresh herbs over Farro and sautéed Spinach). Lyla and Emmy had pasta with butter from the kids menu and the burrata cheese, and Italian bread rolls.

For dessert, Kyle had Bread Pudding (Italian style with Zabaglione sauce and dark rum); Cecile and I shared Zabaglione (Italian custard with strawberry gelato); Lyla and Emmy shared a Lemon Sorbet packed inside a real lemon that had to be scooped out. They were in heaven (photo). The waiter brought out an additional birthday dessert and shot glasses of Limoncello while the waiter sang Happy Birthday to me, partially in English and the rest in Italian. It was a beautiful evening, the food and service was excellent and I can't complain about another birthday celebration. There is a saying: "Never look a gift horse in the mouth," meaning never refuse something good that is being offered to you. Of course the real gift is family, especially the little ones. Thank you Michelle and Kyle.

Lunch at Zelda's Restaurant on the Beach at Capitola & Ukrainian Art Exhibit & Dance Performance

Cecile and I had Lunch at Zelda’s Restaurant in the heart of Capitola Village this past weekend. Located on the beach with views of the Monterey Bay and the Capitola Wharf. Zelda’s has been serving locals and visitors from all over the world for over forty years. They feature an expansive beachfront outdoor patio. We shared scrambled eggs with sautéed mushrooms, Kale, Cheese, and a side of fruit and a bowl of New England clam chowder.

Next to Zelda’s is a small alley that takes you right to the beach, offering a great view of the painted houses.

Capitola Wharf which was built in 1857. The upper platform succumbed to the regular slamming of the waves during rain storms and high surf making it unusable and in need of major repairs. We checked out the Ukrainian Art in the Park and a stage performance featuring Ukrainian dancer sponsored by the Capitola Art & Cultural Commission.

The riches of the river and sea have attracted people to this area for hundreds of years. The Soquel Ohlone Indians once hunted and gathered in nearby valleys and along the shore. Later came the Chinese and Italian fishermen who harvested the bay’s fish and shellfish. In the late 1800s, visitors seeking relief from the valley heat were attracted to the cooler weather and scenic coastal beauty.

Celebrating My 73rd Birthday with Cecile at Bittersweet Bistro Aptos, CA

“You know you’re getting old when you get that one candle on the cake. It’s like, ’See if you can blow this out.”

—Jerry Seinfeld

Following a recommendation from some friends, we decided to have my birthday dinner at Bittersweet Bistro, recognized by locals as one of the top restaurants in Santa Cruz County for over 30 years. Cecile and I shared the chef special for our starter appetizer called “Arancini," a well-known Italian classic that hails from 10th century Sicily, when under Arab rule. It’s composed of breaded balls of risotto stuffed with spicy corn risotto, mozzarella, coated in breadcrumbs and fried in hot extra virgin olive oil to a crispy golden-brown perfection. It was served with marinara sauce, basil oil & parmigiana reggiano. We sopped up the marinara sauce with pieces of the complimentary sour dough bread. I had a bottle of 805 beer and Cecile ordered a glass of chardonnay.

While savoring every bite, Cecile and I recalled my late Zia Cettina who made them for us when we were visiting my relatives on my mother’s side in Roccalumera, Sicily, Province of Messina. My aunt was without a doubt a great cook and could have given the chefs on the food channel a run for their money.

For our entrees, Cecile and I shared a fresh Nectarine Salad with caramelized onions, roasted garlic, gorgonzola cheese, smoked mozzarella and hoisin sauce; and, Chicken Piccata: pan seared organic free-range chicken breast, white wine, demi-glace, lemon and capers sauce; au gratin potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Last, but not least, we ordered the special blackberry crisp with vanilla bean ice cream and one lit candle:) Our waitress began the Happy Birthday song. At the end I clapped my hands and the compressed air from the clap extiguished the flame. Another beaufiful sunset awaited us when we got back to our Seascape suite.

Beach and Pool Time at Seascape Resort & Dinner at The Hideout

hanging over the horizon had lifted. Most people were just sunning on the beach while others were walking their dogs along the surf. We then hung out at the pool, swimming and letting the day unfold. Before we knew it, was dinner time. We ate dinner at “The Hideout” just a few miles away. Though it was packed they seated us right away next to the fireplace.

For starters Cecile ordered a glass of Charddonay and I had a bottle of Corona. We shared a platter of Caprese (fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, Basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze with crostini. For our entrees Cecile ordered Roasted Beet arugula salad, with goat cheese, sherry vinaigrette and balsamic reduction with Salmon and I had the special: Fresh Halibut, served mediteranean-style relish, silky smooth polenta and fresh veggies.

Every restaurant has a story to tell. The owners transformed an original 1930s Aptos home into a new restaurant and full bar. The original Hideout opened in 2015. Just four years later it was destroyed in a fire (see photo) With overwhelming community support the partners were able to rebuild the Hideout to the beautifull and thriving restaurant it is today. Our evening ended with a stunning sunset.

Weekend Getaway with Cecile at the Tranquil Seascape Beach Resort Overlooking the Santa Cruz Coastline

"The sound of waves crashing on the shore in the backdrop is one of the most relaxing sounds on Earth."

At the recommendation of our friends, Nelson and Susan Bye who hosted a large family gathering there, Cecile and I opted for a special long weekend getaway at Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos, to embrace tranquility and serenity in a coastal retreat setting. One stood out immediately was a classic car between the waterfall and the front entrance. Rumor has it that belonged to the resort’s previous owner. Our suite includes a fully-equipped kitchenette, gas fireplace with ocean views and sounds of the crashing waves of the Santa Cruz coastline. We decided to have dinner at the award-winning Sanderlings, one of the best restaurants on Monterey Bay.

Cecile had the Atlantic Salmon and I had the special lemon chicken soup and the special Beef Stroganoff with linguine. We savored every bite. We had three friendly staff members catering to our every need. For dessert we shared a mini round cheesecake with blackberries and raspberry sauce.

After dinner we sat in a comfortable cushioned chair around an outdoor fireplace before heading back to our suite.

Treated to an Early Birthday Lunch at Opa's Restaurant by my Former Protege Dr. Douglas Robinson, DPM

“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your image but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.

—Steven Spielberg

Dr. Douglas Robinson, who has over 35 years experience in the medical field is a board-certified podiatrist who specializes in sports medicine and foot surgery in Campbell. He invited me to an early birthday lunch yesterrday at OPA’s Authentic Greek Cuisine in downtown Campbell. My official birthday is Sunday, August 26. He arrived in his signature red surgical Scrubs with his name emblazoned in the right top corner of his shirt, as well as his specialty, and an aspirational slogan: "Limp in and Dance out!"

Doug was in college when a family member recommended he visit me at the Park Avenue Foot Clinic in San Jose that I founded in 1975. He was at a crossroads of deciding on a career. He was going to either be a endodonist or prostadonist. He spent time observing me treat patients whenever he was in town on school break. I was used to having doctors visit my clinic from all around the country. But, this was the first time I had a really motivated student shadow me from treatment room to treatment room, who wasn’t an associate. At some point he made a life changing decision to become a podiatrist and attended and graduated from the California College of Podiatric Medicine. When I retired in the early 90s, I assigned him my clinic phone number, sold off some equipment to him that he intended to utilize in a freestanding building he bought and converted Foot and Ankle center on E Hamilton. As the years went by he became a successful practitioner in his own right. I was very happy and proud of him, and over the years—since I retired—I referred quite a few patients to him.

Looking back in time it was apparent that we had developed a mentor/protege relationship. A protege is focused, teachable and flexible. A mentor provides a culture of appreciation, is protege focused, willing to pass on whatever a protege can absorb. I myself, had several mentors that were influential in my deciding to attend the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine, and podiatrists who allowed me to visit their offices, learn surgical techniques and how to operate and manage a practice. I was merely passing it forward. What I love about Doug is that he has expressed his life long gratitude to me for mentoring him with open arms, and has shown it in a number of gratifying ways over the years.

Wanderlust: An 18-Mile Bike Ride to the Historic Port and Town of Alviso and Lunch at Rosita's

Bill and I off-loaded our bikes across from the San Tomas Aquino Trail head which offers a paved route approximately 5 miles through Santa Clara along its namesake waterway. We made a stop at Levi’s Stadium, then onto to Sunnyvale Baylands Park where we were struck by acres of native grasses, open meadows, a protected Wetlands Preserve providing habitat for plants and wildlife. Bill and I road up and down series of dirt slopes that felt like skiing (photo), before continuing on to Alviso.

Alviso is a peaceful residential community known for natural areas along San Francisco Bay like Alviso Marina County Park, that reflect the area’s historic past. First known to the Ohlone Indians, it is now known as a popular birdwatching spot with paths and boardwalks, and Baylands Park, another wetlands reserve.

Nearby, was the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which is the first urban wildlife refuge in the United States. The refuge includes 30,000 acres of open bay, salt ponds, salt marsh, mudflats and a ghost town, called Drawbridge which is accessible via the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks that draws many curious travelers. Drawbridge is also home to diverse species, including shorebirds, seals and foxes. If were so inclined, one could shove away from land and float through the reeds on a kayak from Lain’s Bates and Rentals, enjoying the marsh birds and narrow waterways, that connect into the San Francisco Bay. We simply road along the shoreline on wooden docks.

Alviso also has a number of homestyle Mexican restaurants including Rosita’s Restaurant which is a mainstay in the area. The exterior has charm, boasting a fenced—in patio with outdoor seating. We were amazed that there is a grand looking crystal chandelier hanging from the a wooden beam in the lovely rose garden. We were surprised it hadn’t been stolen. Perhaps it was because the Blessed Mother of the Catholic Shrine was the devout owner, Rosita. Bill had a fish taco and I had a Chicken Tostada with rice and refried beans.

We had a nice breeze and the wind chimes echoed gently. If there a hammock at Rosita’s I could have easily taken a siesta. Enjoy the photos!

The Donkey Story: Keeping the Legend Alive

A period piece souvenir photograph of Cecile and I atop a colorful wooden mural of a donkey in the lobby of the Crazy Water Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas, where guest and family were staying for our nephew, Michael Augustine and his beloved wife, Lauren’s wedding that took place at Clark Gardens Botanical Park in Weatherford, the next town over . This meme represents a reenactment of the visitors to Mineral Wells, around the twentieth century seeking entertainment. Legend has it they found it in part, by donkey rides up a trail that crossed a 1000-step staircase, built in 1905 to the top of East Mountain. About half way up, photographers, J.C. McClure and later J.L. Young, took souvenir photographs of visitors at this popular crossing.

Fiesta Mexicana at Rinconda Hills Featuring an Aztec Cultural Dance Performance

"The Aztec dance is meditation in motion. It brings the dancers into a meditative state, with the repetitive rhythm and movement, channeling energy to the gods. It represents the connection between man and god, of body and soul, and is a form of prayer and communication."

Cecile and I with our friends and neighbors Susan and Nelson Bye, Sarah and Bill Rothenberg, and Jane and Murray Cook reserved a table for Fiesta Mexicana at the Clubhouse at Rinconada Hills in Los Gatos, CA. The event featured fresh, delicious gourmet-style Mexican cuisine prepared by assistant manager, Ray Ramiriz. The room was colorfully decorated. Beer, wine, and Margaritas were served with appetizers followed by an authentic spiritual Indigenous Aztec dance performance by Esplendor Azteca—Xipe Totec. Most of the dancers are from Mexico City. The group is dedicated to promoting the traditions handed down from their ancestors. It is a form of prayer, that involves

dancing and singing. Dancers, who move as one in a circle, wear angle rattles known as chacayotes, and some rattles in their hands. Before dancing begins, one dancer uses the ceremonial copal incense burner (resin from tree sap) to clear bad energy. They ask permission from the elements and the four directions. Moreover they ask the universe for permission to touch the Earth. Two of the elders stood by tall Aztec drums known as huehuetl that is made from wood and animal skin. As the drum beat picks up and builds, the formation. These magical dance performances is another way for Mexican Americans to reconnect with their history and culture.

Dinner was served buffet-style and strawberry shortcake was served for dessert, after the dance performance. Thanks to the many volunteers like Dee Blumenthal, Kathy Ramos, manager, Mike Yarman, and his assistant manager, Ray Ramiriz, this was a fabulous evening. I and many others had the opportunity to speak and take photos with the dancers. It reminded me of the time I spent in retreat with others in Mexico with world renowned shaman, Brant Secunda, the founder of the Dance of the Deer Foundation. I got to experience ancient teachings and rituals, and sacred dances, including the “Dance of the Deer,” after which his foundation is named.

Hanging Out In the Midst of Taylor Swift Fans Outside Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA

“Life isn’t how to survive the storm. It’s about how to dance in the rain."—Taylor Swift

Bill and I road our bikes on the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail to Levi Stadium yesterday afternoon. We've done this route many times exploring the extensive amount of biking trails around and beyond the perimeter of the stadium. Bill worked at Levi Stadium for five years back in the day, and knows this area like the back of his hand. This time, by design we found ourselves in the midst of thousands of Taylor Swift fans who were partying outside the stadium gates many hours before she took the stage—whether they had tickets or not. Security was tight including bomb sniffing dogs, cops on bicycles and motorcycles to secure the perimeters.

It was the Bay Area’s first sold-out Eras Tour and the “Swifties” were all decked out with pink cowboy hats, cowboy boots, sparkling glittery ball gowns, and T-shirts emblazoned with the words “we love Taylor.” I took a photo of one fan wearing bright pick pants, several friendship bracelets on her right wrist, carrying a poster that read: Swifties All The Way From NEWFOUNDLAND. Even Bill good-naturedly got into the act by donning a pink cowboy hat:-) It was reported that the concert was expected to become the highest-grossing musical tour of all time, exceeding more than One Billion Dollars in revenue. Unfortunately, there were only 60,000 seats and a million Taylor Swift fans that wanted tickets. Disappointed fans had to content themselves with congregating outdoors together and enjoying clips of the three-hour performance.

Credit for the two Taylor Swift Photos: Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

25-Bike Ride to and Round Lexington Reservoir at the Foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains

“Riding a bicycle is the closest you can get to flying.”— Robin Williams

Bill and I took a 25-mile mid-morning bike ride (round trip) to the Lexington Reservoir (an artificial lake) via the Los Gatos Creek Trail to beat the heat that was forecasted for the mid-afternoon the other day. Once reaching the Lexington Dam in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, we took a clockwise road loop which placed us on the side of the road closer to the water allowing us to catch respectable views of the lake thanks to the series of rain storms awhile back that made it more full. The only real climb along the ride occurs as we approach the farthest point of the reservoir. There is a half-mile climb that averages 8% grade. It’s a nice rollercoaster-like ride with a high number of turns and curves that goes around the reservoir in about 45 minutes. However, during the last quarter of the ride, the road continuing on was blocked due to construction crews repairing sections of the road that had collapsed due to the heavy rains according to one of the crew members. No problem, we simply circled back and were able to complete our ride, none to worse for the experience. We saw three paddle boarders a few hundred feet below us and noticed that the previously dried out lake bed leading to an arch was now full compared to previous rides during the draught conditions (photo).

Lexington Reservoir is the third-largest reservoir in Santa Clara County. The reservoir is contained in Lexington Reservoir County park which includes hiking trails and great views of the reservoir and Silicon Valley. The towns of Lexington and Alma are submerged ghost towns under the reservoir. Lexington used to be the halfway stop for stagecoaches running between San Jose and Santa Cruz.

The First Annual Summer Jaw-Dropping Car Show in Downtown Campbell was a Blast

Though I’m not a car buff in the strictest sense of the word, I do appreciate it as an art form, and so does my riding buddy Bill, whose idea it was to ride our bikes to the show this Saturday morning. In some sense it was better than the classic cars I saw at the San Jose Parade on the 4th of July. This car show in historic downtown Campbell was more accessible

from the standpoint that the cars were stationary and car buffs and admirers of these impeccably maintained machines were able to take their time viewing them from all sides.

Young and old alike were drooling with envy at the jaw-dropping classic beauties. The owners of were available to ask questions and lavished with praise for their creations. Though I don’t use the term often, it was utter “eye candy.” There was Aqua BMW that appears in one of my photos that had the words "Wedding Gift" on what would normally be a license plate. There were even a few custom-made bicycles and their owners that we got to speak to.

The every day culture of Downtown Campbell is generally a place that dazzles residents and visitors alike with mouth watering eateries, fashion forward boutiques, and fun retail and ice cream shops, along with live or piped in street music. There was popcorn stand, petting zoo, bounce houses, and face painting for the kids.

Postscript: For those who live locally, and enjoy riding bicycles of all kinds, there is a family friendly “Pre-Ride” bike that rolls through the streets of San Jose. It is being hosted by “The Others BC” on Saturday, July 29, that will be meeting and departing from San Pedro Square located at 87 N San Pedro St. San Jose, CA. The Pre-Ride will be followed by the 2023 Shiny Side Up Show that will take place on Sunday, July 30th from 10:00 am-4:00pm. More details will be posted on the link below as we get closer to the event.

https://www.shinysideupbikeshow.com/