Hit the Ground Running: LA to San Fran

This time there was no question: "I'm coming to LA from [this date] to [that date]. Book your flight and I'll see if we can play anywhere. And where do you want to hike?"

Two mandatory things we do, Clem and I, when the opportunity to subtract 7,400 km between our personal locations arises and we are seated at the same table planning a day of adventures over morning coffees: play music and hike. Or find art. Or seek other mind-expanding experiences. So much to do, so little time.

This blog is only getting written because we finally have some down time. Sitting across from each other writing our respective blogs at a McD's in a tiny town somewhere between Monterey and Pinnacles National Park, it's already Tuesday and I landed Friday night.

A hiccup when I landed: no rental car yet available. So no hitting the road right away. Truthfully, I was relieved as it meant getting a good night's sleep before a six hour road trip. In the morning we finally hit the big wide open by 10 a.m. - after delivering the Philippine Tribune to a local grocery store.

"Boring, boring, boring," Clem sang as he tried to stay awake across six hours of complete and utter flat. "Try doing 15 hours of this," I said. Us Winnipeggers are used to epic drives across the continent to get anywhere other than home.

San Francisco at last...first visit for me, second for Clem who'd been there briefly seven years ago for a tour with his former band. First stop, Golden Gate Bridge, then checked into our hotel in Mill Valley on the outskirts heading toward Muir Woods National Park.

Note to travellers: if considering staying at America's Best Value Inn - Mill Valley, read the reviews first and keep them in mind. If you try to book a room over the phone, make them confirm the quoted price and write it down. Don't be surprised if you end up having to haggle for your quoted price but do stand firm. Despite some odd things, the rooms are clean-ish (albeit very old) and the hotel is right across from a great Italian restaurant.

Bit of a dawdle in the morning figuring out music, set list, and hiking logistics but got ourselves to Muir Woods National Park in good time for a couple of exploratory hikes: one up a dry creek bed and one in charted territory: Dipsea - Ben Johnson Trail (about 3.6 mi).

San Francisco's Pride Parade had been that day but by the time we headed to the HI hostel the crowds had cleared though the streets were filled with dance music and brightly dressed pedestrians.

More on SF and our gig at 50 Mason Social House later....