Finally have it again. It's been out for the last few weeks.

Some times plans come together and you get to do something fun. As many of you know I'm spending a lot of time in California this Summer working on Titanium. Fewer of you know that my kids are spending their Summer driving around North America filming for their first documentary Sprawling Apart, Growing Together. The kids just happened to come through the same time my youngest sister and brother-in-law were starting their Summer Anniversary event, Wainright The Gathering 2010. They've rented a cabin in Tahoe Vista for a week of game playing, outings and other mild mayhem. I spent a goodly part of this last weekend playing Dominion -- one of my favorite board games. 

I discovered early on Sunday that there was no caffeine in the house so I took that as an opportunity to take a 1.5 mile walk into Kings Beach to grab a cup of coffee at The Java Hut. The coffee was good. I loved the ambiance. Tip: If it's hot, sit in the back near the walk in freezer, much cooler. 

The only real problem I had in the area is that it's not as pedestrian friendly as I could have asked for. Crosswalks are almost non-existant and you really don't want to cross the main thoroughfare without them. But it made for more exercise which is good too.

Here are several photos I took during the walk.

                                               

Click here to download:

north-tahoe-quick-weekender-fBDfmDqaFayIzbiHzIco.zip (1383 KB)

I REALLY detest this style of broiler pan. They're a pain to clean.

Poor @Marshall_law spending "quality" time with Windows XP.

Sometimes you realize you forgot to teach your kids a necessary life skill. Today, driving from Denton to Tulsa, I get a call from somewhere in the wilds of Pennsylvania.

Daughter: "Dad, you busy?"

Me: "Just driving, what's up?"

Daughter: "Um, how do you start a fire?"

Me: Slight pause to consider: Arson, explosives ... "What kind of fire?" Not really sure I want to know, but I have to ask.

Daughter: "A Campfire."

Me: "Are there other people around you with open fires?"

Daughter: "Yes??? Why?"

Me: "Good. Just wanted to make sure you weren't in a burn ban area. You really don't want a fine or to start a forest fire. Why do you need a fire?"

Daughter: "Smores. We have wood and leaves but it won't stay lit."

Me: "Ok so you need kindling ..."

When I called back an hour later, still no fire.

With Father's Day just around the corner it's good to know there are still a few things left for me to teach. Fire building seems like good a place to start. 

Tallest living dog on record? Has his own queen sized bed? Well, that'd be Giant George.

I was reading through Readers Digest and would have quickly forgotten George except for one simple fact. George lives in Tucson, Arizona and Allison is flying home from Tucson later this summer. That made the fact interesting enough to stick.

Who are these Coffee People? Definitely want to learn more about folks who aren't afraid to jazz up the name a bit. And since it tastes great, Jet Fuel is becoming one of my favorites.

Lately, I've been staying in "Personality Hotels" when I stay in San Francisco. I like the pricing and that each property has a distinct personality. They also have free WiFi. Typically, there is coffee in the morning and they usually have complementary wine between 5 and 6 pm. 

For Google I/O 2010, I stayed at the Hotel Union Square on Powell near Ellis. I had an interior room on the fourth floor with easy access via stairs or elevator. The room was comfortable and strangely enough the seating was very comfortable. 

If you're in San Francisco and want to try out an interesting place to stay near Union Square, I'd recommend giving the Hotel Union Square a shot.

       

Click here to download:

travel-san-francisco-hotel-union-square-HiBbyCzzwylCfpqwnAnv.zip (8627 KB)