Twin Peaks

Nothing like a good dog-walk with some company along for conversation. Along the way we discussed addiction, the appropriate and inappropriate uses of botanicals and pharmaceuticals, deadly nightshade and digitalis — teenagers are curious about these things — dealers and ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes, multi-level-marketing (not unlike the latter), goons, the Goon show. Lots to talk about all the way, and with 600 ft of hill climbing spread over the 3 miles at the same time — talking and climbing steep hills, climbing and talking, this was double the workout. With a brisk 40-45 degrees day and blustery wind there was no chance of succumbing to the heat. Plenty of stops for dog curiosities. Though probably not as many as Koda might have hoped.

Almost contemplated windsurfing, but with progress recently after a difficult 6 weeeks it seems like there's some healing, so I don't want to risk screwing it up, prematurely.

Re-Conquering "The Hill" on Foot — a lot Easier in the Cold

With neck discs beginning to calm down a little (re-aggravated in mid-November), it was time to hit the hill for a brisk climb to the top, down a bit, and back up to the top again, to get the lungs used to breathing the brisk wintery air — uh oh, someone's chimney up here needs a good cleaning!

This hill is always a bit of a challenge, especially if one hasn't mounted it in a while - but with a brisk, cold North wind blowing, there was no dilly-dallying. Chaaaarge! K-dog was evidently feeling strong, too, and we were up in near record time, (whatever the GPS says--we have to stop for customary doggy sniffing chores and expanded canine territory marking).

So maybe the air at the, er, "summit" wasn't as fresh and clean as expected, at the lofty height of 280' above sea level, but at least it smelled seasonal in a woodburning, chimney-fire kind of way.

The Waterboys ... Fisherman's Blues

A rather wacked-out little surfing video. But a lot of fun, with a great wacked-out tune.

Sounds like Bob Dylan meets ... well Bob Dylan, but it ain't. And that's a pity, as I'd have like it to have been Bob Dylan, but it's the Waterboys, so ... I get to happen upon a tremendous song I should have happened upon before.

Roy Stewart surfing an 11'9" wooden surfboard. The D 11-9 is a versatile tunnel finned longboard.

Woulda, Shoulda, but Couldn't'a

What a beauty this turned out to be. From behind a coffee cup though. Advil and cyclobenzaprine not sufficient pain relief.

The lineup was full at 9 am on a Sunday. Nice shoulder on that wave. Longboard heaven at 40F.

A Long Beach cam but looks like Lido.