A Polar Bear on the 38th Latitude

Port Costa sits on the north finger of the bay, directly across from Vallejo.  Even once you decide to go looking for it, this small town is not easily found.  The road to this biker haven is winding and somewhat precarious in spots.  Once there, the hundreds of beers at the Warehouse Cafe beckon weary travelers.  Entering the bar, one realizes where all of Fred Sanford's "valuables" are now laid to rest after the series closed.  The bric-a-brac and knick and knacks cover much of the free space at eye level and above.  One gets the sense that a bar was just plopped down in the middle of a rummage sale to spice things up a bit.  Perhaps the ultimate flea market item is a taxidermied Polar Bear in a glass case.  ( I think my conflicting fascination and utter revulsion at taxidermy has been well established in this blog, but a Polar Bear?  I am thoroughly impressed and wouldn't mind displaying this misplaced beautiful monster in my own entry way - maybe finally scaring away the most intrepid household pest in the nation - the door to door solicitor).

The restaurant has very limited menu, serving two types of steak, shrimp scampi, or crab legs (with soup, salad, potato and mushrooms).  The cow roaming the hills on our way to the Warehouse shouldn't get too comfortable because the portions are road worn biker size with steaks as big as your head.  While in a food and drink induced coma, one can rent a room from the bartender to the former brothel turned hotel right across the street.

This place (plus a confederate flag) would be typical in a small southern town...the scale is certainly larger and the clientele is not only biker friendly but also mission hipster slumming friendly, but regardless, the run down, be careful where you sit, order a drink or get the hell out feel is the same.  Definitely worth the drive over the hills and through the cows to enjoy cold beer, a view of the bay, good rock music, slabs of meat and potatoes, and a Polar Bear looming large in a glass case.

As the weather turns from cold and gray winter to a relatively warm April, I've been forced to respond to the call of the California wild side.  Lots of local hiking and outdoor activities.

A few quite moments at the Grand Lake Farmer's Market.  Organic fruits and vegetables, gourmet food, and a few artisanal products.  But on the plus side, it is over priced!  

Lovely ladies on Lakeshore...wigs and spring hats, who doesn't find the combination completely fabulous?    

Every beautiful day is a perfect reason to hit the happy hour at the Lake Chalet...especially when rubbing elbows with the Creme de La Creme of Espana!  

 Affordable drinks and flattering lighting.  These evil stepsisters are plotting their next move...

Redwood Park...just minutes away from the house.  Beautiful Redwoods with the incredible smell only achievable on a warm summer day well away from the multiple outhouses.  I feel incredibly blessed by the mother goddess, or whomever, for the ability to take a romp in the woods without braving the bus loads of photo snapping tourists at Muir Woods.

Still early enough in April to feel the chill but simple moments of joy when the clouds finally provide a little blue sky and a hint of warmth.  

A picture certainly worthy of inspiring a few stanzas of poetry...not from me of course.  This view achievable in the Far East Bay...yes, through the tunnel.  The hills were alive with the sounds of birds, babbling brooks, and annoying children.  

Oak trees are ubiquitous and add an other worldly feel on the California landscape.  

A quick weekend hike pretty close to Lake Chabot.  

A five bridge view from Knowland Park above the Oakland Zoo.  An excellent hike with [amazingly] little to no other hikers.  Secluded spot in the middle of the urban sprawl.  The trail was a little difficult to find but in certain spots we felt as if we were sitting at the top of the world.  

Panoramic beauty.

The weather has been cooperative and we have been taking full advantage of the great outdoors, certainly before the summer fog obscures the almost perfect view.  

I recommend spending a few hours in the great outdoors...it's done wonders for my personal disposition!