Tristan's thoughts

...as the vultures circle the carcass of what once was "Google Plus+"  I want to ploink down a couple photos that I took the other day  of turkey vultures soaring along the Carquínez Straits. 

Owl. Hole in a tree. Grumpy, because photography. —Basho

https://youtu.be/98mRyZSm0R0

Just remembered that I have the tristanmorrow.com domain... I should probably stick something here. Even if it's just a quick note to show that I'm still alive :-)

"The Crookedest Railroad in the World" was the scenic early-1900's Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway.  It is no more, but one can still see it's crooked ways in this rugged day-trip hike up the many turns and twists of the old railroad grade trail to the summit of Mount Tamalpais. Rail-truck climbing up the grade at Double Bow-Knot.  (Wurm & Graves) The hike starts at the Panoramic Highway, which is itself worth the drive.  The parking lot is across the street from the old Mountain Home Inn, a B&B and nice-enough restaurant.  Their wine and cheese list will make a great finale to this hike -- something to look forward to!  There are two ways to do this summit hike:  steep and short(er) or long and steady.  Either way is a 1500-foot climb. The railroad maintained an average 5% grade with the steepest bits being only 7% uphill. The steep and short(er) uphill climb starts by going past the fire station up Hog Back road.  This is a graded fire road

↑ ...isn't that how every blog starts?  Or is it better to start with promises to move old stuff over and about how one will be posting daily from now on? "A hero in the beginning."  I don't know if it's true that there's an ancient Sanskrit word for that idea, but Æsop's hare and many bloggers start with a burst of energy and enthusiasm—and then fizzle.  So, lower the expectation and divert the disappointment.