I CAN SEE!!

Kenn Louie jokes that he had a roofing nail go into his eye wrong end first.

Dr. Lin not only put it back together, but he took out the cataract as well. They said it was gonna be a half-hour job, but it ended up taking four hours. But Kenn got his eyesight back.

I figured Dr. Lin was the man for my cornea transplant. But he said there was too much risk of rejection in my current lifestyle and he wouldn't do it. But he agreed to fix the cataract in the right. Now, four days after surgery, I feel like I've been reborn.

Thank you to Kenn Louie for telling me about Dr. Lin. And immeasurable gratitude to Dr. Lin and the amazing team at Byers.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

• Fellowship: UCSF Ophthalmology Residency (2012) CA
• Residency: University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine (2011) CA
• Medical Education: University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine (2007) CA



Internship: Cedars Sinai Medical Center Pediatric Residency Ended 2004 (2008) CA
Board Certification, American Board of Ophthalmology (2013)
Board Certification: Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology (2012)
B.A., Harvard University, Environmental Science & Public Policy, summa cum laude (2001)


And to the angels who helped cover the cost...you know who you are, 


Ever grateful!

Comin' Intuh Town

Someone once said, "In California it doesn't matter what kind of car you drive, it matters how shiny it is."

We're hangin' in Menlo Park, next door to Palo Alto which is, as everyone knows, the microdosing capitol of the nation. And as my Mom used to say, "There's nothing we can do about being poor, but there's no excuse for being dirty."

So, once a year, whether she needs it or not....

All Creen und Shynee!!

Vintage Japanese Hummer!

1936 Auburn

She rented us an AirBnb in Menlo Park a few minutes from the Byers Eye Institute where I was having cataract surgery.

Menlo Park is adjacent to Palo Alto, the hub of Silicon Valley and the streets are paved with gold. Property is expensive, an average suburban home can sell for 2.4M. The place is rife with Teslas, Mercedeses, BMWs and, being aware of that, she was gonna bring the Panamera. They'd bought it a few months earlier after attending the Concours at Santa Barbara.

I protested!! EVERYone around here drives a Porsche; they're like Volkswagens! So in deference to my need for distinction, she brought the Volvo.

I'm not the best planner. So I drove to the Bay Area in order to be sure I was close enough to make my evaluation appointment before the surgery. I was camping in a different park every night --- variety is the spice of life, dontchya know -- and sightseeing as I went along.

I'd arrived early at Henry Cowell Redwood State Park and as I was leaving I noticed the Auburn. As luck would have it, Erin and Brett, it's owners, came strolling up as I was photographing it. They very kindly indulged my curiosity and told how it was one of only 58 made and they were taking the roadtrip their Dad didn't live to make.

Now THAT's distinction.

Every Now & Then...

the tender morning light lights upon something you might rather have gone unnoticed.

I try and get it dug the evening before so it's ready for use in the mornin'.

Edo Japanese Restaurant - Boulder Creek

Perched on the edge of the creek, JUST before the bridge (northbound), this unprepossessing restaurant houses the best I've had since childhood in Japan.

The Salmon Teriyaki was tender and succulent without a *hint* of "fishiness." The Gyoza was amazingly equal to it's companion. 

A lovely lady waiting near the door advised on the Bento Box lunch. With miso and salad for ten dollars, it's a find!

Southbound to Saratoga

In January, when last in ABQ, Phoebe got some much-needed maintenance. While she can't compete with a Yamaha 900 or a Lamborghini Countach, she does pretty well.

Ass-ends...

Awaiting Biometry

Up at 6:30, I Ubered across The Bay to make my 10:00 a.m. appointment. Except its at 3:00. But they were able to change it to 1:30.

I strolled down to the marshlands open space next to the Palo Alto airport.

Mildly entertaining to watch the single-engine runabouts practice their landings und takeoffs.




-

Wing on top of fuselage.

Note position relative to control tower.

Nice breeze with only a few shouting children.

Wing below.
Note position relative to Cntrl Twr.

I Don't Know If You Didn't See the Sign...

he was referring to the Road Closed sign a couple of miles back and quite beneficently wasn't actually asking.

I HAD seen the sign but chose to think there'd be another...more specific. But it seems there'd been a fire and they meant the WHOLE road. So, I packed up and left.

Fortunately, the C.G. host at Summerdale C.G. had told of a spot where there was/is dispersed. These fires are really bitin' intuh muh lyf-uh-stile!

But it gave me a chance to swing past the General Store in Fish Camp. The beautiful cashier there gave me a deal the other day and I wanted to show my appreciation. She wasn't home so I left the package with a friend.

Let's Go Here - Jerseydale Rd & Skelton Creek

Piddling arnd the west side of the Sierras. Looks like there might be dispersed camping north of Darrah up past  Jerseydale C.G.

The days get hot for about an hour around 4:00 and the nights are cool, but not cold.

Nice.

Two Women

The First: General Store
Dark-haired Gypsy when I asked about the price of the creamcheese she said, "For you, Darlin', this afternoon, a dollar." The term of endearment brought up my skeptical fur, but when she sweetly placed her hand under mine as she gave me my change, I fell in love. I admit it, I nearly nearly swooned when I looked closer and beheld the line of amethysts adorning her left lobe. Staggering to the car, I imaged it'd be like this Pepe Le Pew cartoon.

The Second: Summerdale C.G.
Sometimes I ask before helping myself, but there wasn't a vehicle in the camp host's drive. The water soon appeared as did a trash bin. On my way out a large white something-er-other stopped. We backed up and she identified herself as the one in charge and asked if I was camping. I said no, I had just gotten water and asked if that was okay? She said it was fine and added she'd been at the lake all day (If you got it, flaunt it!).

She told of dispersed camping off Mt Raymond Rd (see entry on iOverlander) and said to come back for water anytime.

WHERE would we BE without them?

Cognitive Dissonance - Folsom Street Fair

Cataract surgery happens, in Palo Alto, 9/26. There's a followup on Oct 4. In between is The Folsom Street Fair.

For two sensualists who dislike (read: hate!) crowds, this is a wonderful dilemma.

(We're staying in an AirBnb in Menlo Park in case u'r nearby an' wanna confab.)

Piddling In the Sierras - Globe Rock & the Bull Buck Tree

After nearly a week together on Granite Creek, I headed off to find Globe Rock and The Nelder Grove. I got there on Beasore Rd (FR-5507) which goes north from Malum Ridge Rd (also known as Rd 274) at N37.32415 W119.55423. Malum Ridge Rd goes along the east side of Bass Lake. 

Bull Buck Tree in The Nelder Grove.

Dimensionality

Fixing the Truck

They didn't put lock washers on the nuts that hold the camper on and they come loose. It gave an excuse to get supine.

Granite Creek

Friends had been telling her about it for years. They said in the Spring the flow was so strong you couldn't get across. Now, in September, there were a few languid pools with an occasional minnow.

Even a tablecloth!!

Jonathan of Alpha Road

I got a late start and it was nearing dark as I sat recording the coordinates of a potential campsite,.

Jonathan pulled up on his ATV and asked if I'd camped there the night b4. It seems the folks'd gone off and left live embers. As the caretaker of a nearby conference center, he'd had to make numerous trips using an open five-gallon bucket to be sure it was out.

When I asked if he knew if Skillman Campground had water he said he wasn't sure, but he did. He told how the water had been channeled down hand-dug ditches to fuel the nozzles of hydraualic mining. The debris flows, in the mid-1800s, impacted Sacramento so badly they outlawed the technique. But it's still good drinking.

Thanks, Jonathan!

I Had tuh Take a Room - Manteca

Some places have a distinctive flavor. You find it  capitalized on in towns such as Tillamook, Cheeseville and Motzarell, Oregon; Schvaggerschtik, Stubborn und Obschtinate where Germans have settled.

Manteca seems to be an enclave of juveniles.

Wilson Reservoir Recreation Area turned out to be a State Park. It was the holiday weekend and after learning the meaning of "dispersed" and asserting there was none, the woman at the gate surmised the campground was full; I surmised it was too....and went on.

Tripadviser noted prostitutes at YuhWanna Motel and miscellaneous flotsom at the ComeOn Inn. I settled at Best Western.

The room faced the freeway. Out front, a busy intersection mit onramp added regular emphasis to the constant roar. With each light-change, Manteca's juveniles - whether actual or vestigial - roared off the line, their sore egos bolstered by fake semi stacks (mufflers).

I felt sorry for Phoebe. Not even a Thule in the bunch...let ALONE  another Overlander.

The palm tree gave a bit of cheer.