This is a photo of a cement ship abandoned and taken over by sea birds. The cement ship in Aptos, California is a world war 1 relic (SS Palo Alto) which was built out of cement because there was a war time shortage of iron. It never was put into military service as the warContinue reading “Cement Ship”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Inventor of the Bicycle
The gravesite in Karlsruhe of the inventor of the bicycle. Another pilgrimage I must make. Karl von Drais was the inventor of the bicycle in 1815, among many other inventions. He was born in Karlsruhe Germany. Around the age of 30, Europe was experiencing famine because of years of war. Then the Indonesian volcano TamboraContinue reading “Inventor of the Bicycle”
Bicycle Tools
After reading the excellent post by John in Finding Hand Tools For Wood Working about how to collect hand tools inexpensively, I thought I would write a little about my own tools and bicycle both of which are very important to me. While not inexpensive, tools can be collected over years. I feel a visceralContinue reading “Bicycle Tools”
The Last Hill
Looking back on this photo, I feel great nostalgia and pain. This is my wife walking down the last hill of El Camino de Compostela a few kilometers before Santiago. She had to tape her feet every morning because of the many blisters. The fatigue is palpable because we have both walked more kilometers thanContinue reading “The Last Hill”
Valencia Road, Santa Cruz
I wanted to ride this hill again and use the All Trails app to see the grade. It is 21%, just as I guessed. The All Trails app is easy to use, one just has to remember to shut it off:) At the top of the hill is a clearing and an apple orchard. TodayContinue reading “Valencia Road, Santa Cruz”
Where is the Way?
This is the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) is a walking pilgrimage that winds through ancient paths over long distances. Some routes are well waymarked, others are not. Regardless, the waymakers appear fairly regularly. If you have not seen a waymarker for fifteen minutes,Continue reading “Where is the Way?”
Redwoods
This is a very nice hill going through the redwoods next to Nisene Marks State Park. I had recorded this on my app but I messed up the recording and I cant get the accurate numbers of the steepness. My guess is that it has a 20% grade. I will find out next time ifContinue reading “Redwoods”
Gratitude
4 mile beach outside Santa Cruz, California I am thankful to be able to walk around this beautiful planet. Soon I will be able to walk around Spain again. Things are always working out for me. I wish the same for you.
El Acebuchal
We walked from Frigilana to the tiny village of El Acebuchal. Frigilana is the city where the Moors were defeated. El Acebuchal was the scene of fighting between socialist sympathizers hiding from the Franco fascists, leading to the abandonment of El Acebuchal. Despite all the political and religious chaos of the areas past, it isContinue reading “El Acebuchal”
25 Foot Buddha
Looking through the doors is the Buddhas knees. His head looks out the upper windows. I went back to the steepest hill in Santa Cruz. This time I did not make it to the top. I was halfway and peddling very slowly. A person could walk faster than this but that is not really theContinue reading “25 Foot Buddha”
Head for the Hills 