A Day in Berkeley & Honu had a Flat Tire

Aloha Everyone,

After two hours, Orozco's Mobile Tire Repair was able to fix Honu's flat tire. The work was completed in the parking lot of our inn. J.J. gladly gave him $100 including a generous tip.

This morning we had a chance to walk around and did some shopping at Trader Joe's.

Here are some interesting facts about Berkeley:

1). Berkeley is located 10 miles north of San Francisco.

2). University of California Berkeley is the flagship of the University of California system and one of the top public universities in the USA.

3). U.C. Berkeley has a student to faculty rate of 17 to 1.

4). America's Free Speech Movement started here in 1964.

5). The median income for a household is $60,908.

6). The city has the highest rate of bicycle commuting in the country.

Our lunch was at Athineon, Greek restaurant on University Avenue.

 

My Greek vegetarian wrap

J.J.'s Gyro plate

One of the best Baklava we've had.

We will be getting ready to go to Richard's birthday party. J.J. looks terrific in his suit, but I know he rather be in his polo shirts and casual pants.

Aloha -- Cathi

Peacock and Peahens visit Honu, Eat Thai and Pizza Moda in Berkeley

Aloha Everyone,

This morning, J.J. called alerted me that there were several partridges next to Honu. The giant birds turned out to be a young male peacock and 4 female peahens hunting for breakfast.

We've woken up to deer, squirrel, chipmunk, rabbit, wild turkey, rooster, eagle, hawk, and turkey vulture but peacocks and peahens was a first.

Our motel, Rodeway Inn is located on University Avenue within an easy walking distance to University of California at Berkeley. I wonder if this was the same streets my Father walked when he was a student at this institution.

With map and directions provided by Jeevan and Poona, we explored the neighborhood.

There are so many interesting ethnic restaurants just a step away from where we are staying.

Our lunch at Eat Thai, located on University Avenue in Berkeley, was a perfect vegetarian meal for me.

Thai salad

Tofu & stirred vegetable

Pizza Moda is literally located just a few step away from our inn. While dishes are on more pricey side, the presentation and quality is excellent.

J.J. and I shared ribbon zucchini salad and fried calamari for appetizer and mushroom pizza.

Mushroom Pizza

Ribbon Zucchini salad

Fried Calamari

Congratulations to the owner, Jeff Davis for creating an Italian restaurant where true food connoisseur seem to be enjoying their meal.

A lovely evening dinner in a trendy restaurant which J.J. commented that it feels like we are in an university town and I concurred.  It was a different dining adventure from our usual comfortable cozy dining room of Honu surrounded by nature.

Aloha -- Cathi

Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwood State Park

Aloha Everyone,

The Redwood National & State Parks in California are located in Humboldt and Del Norte County. Actually there are several parks which belong to this jurisdiction and they are co-managed by National Park Service and California Department of Park & Recreation.

One of the most spectacular segments was the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwood State Park. The scenic 12 mile long road runs parallel to I-101. The gigantic trees nearly blocked out the sun, making it approximately 10 degrees cooler in this area.

Our roadside picnic was under the trees in the small town called Leggett.

Our picnic lunch

Dark chocolate with blueberries for dessert

We had heard that a nearby vineyard offered over-night accommodations for RVers, so we decided to see if we could find it.

Sadly, we were unable to locate this particular campsite, so we decided to stay at the KOA Petaluma Campground located about 60 minutes north of San Francisco.

This campsite is one of the biggest KOA we've stayed so far. In addition to RV sites, there are sites for tents and cabins of several different sizes. They even offer daily tour to San Francisco and nearby vineyards for guests.

Honu is comfortably settled for the night.

Aloha -- Cathi

CCA's Filipino BBQ Stall in Crescent City

Aloha Everyone,

We are back in California following I-101. While I stopped by at the visitor center to inquire about California State Parks, J.J. explored the Farmer's Market being held in the parking lot across the street.

Delightful community of people selling local handicrafts.

I also enjoyed watching two old friends dance to the tune of a saxophone player.

At CCA's Filipino BBQ stall, Chandra and her family were doing brisk business.

J.J. loved his lunch of lumpia (pork and vegetable spring roll), pork BBQ and pansit (stirred fried rice noodles with pork and vegetables).

We took the 35-miles of scenic drive right through the middle of over 51,000 acres of redwood groves. These ancient trees are the tallest living things on earth, some reaching up to 370 feet tall.

Honu sits under the ancient, spiritual healing trees.

We are staying at Eureka KOA Campground. Pine trees in this campground provide shades for now, but later we will be relying on Honu's internal heating system to keep us comfortable.

Aloha -- Cathi