Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

We go to the very holy town of Togakushi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togakushi_Shrine We stay in a ryokan. Yuko san runs the place. She does everything from cleaning, cooking, business stuff. Her husband watches baseball and does the garden. The three of us … Continue reading →

I go to Nagano. Not much cooler. At zebra crossings in Japan, they play ‘Coming Through The Rye’. This is another demonstration of what a civilized country Japan is. Here is a Japanese take. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDuCBVhFRKE I go to Zenkoji. It … Continue reading →

I am in Tokyo. Sleepless and jet lagged, I set off for Ueno Zoo. I walk there at 07:30 which is very pleasant as the tremendous heat of the day is still nursing its wrath. The zoo does not open … Continue reading →

I head North to find bears, which make the above noises. I drive deep into the redwoods in the North Pacific forest near the Oregon state line and wait for bears. I reason that bears like meat so if I … Continue reading →

Bay to Breakers is a San Franciscan tradition that has been in abeyance due to the virus. Thousands of people, most dressed in outlandish costume, many naked, run or amble across the city from the Bay to the breakers on … Continue reading →

I set off East like a wagon train in reverse. Up the Sierra Nevada, over the Donner Pass, down to Reno and then off across the Great Basin of Nevada. The wagon trains followed the Humboldt River as do I … Continue reading →

Divisadero is a street a few blocks from the house. It used to be pretty run down and a bit shady. It was the home of the much lamented BBQ place Da Pitt. https://spikekalashnikov.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/da-pitt/ It is now much gentrified. James … Continue reading →

The Godhead, the mighty Trinity, looked down from heaven a couple of days ago and noticed that Neil Calder had been having more than his fair share of good luck. This offended their innate respect for fair play and they … Continue reading →

Here is why I am back in California. Keeping legal and up to date in two countries is a challenge. This time the validity of my California driving license is about to run out. Because I am over 70, I … Continue reading →

Munching through some delicious sushi I have a strange grating sensation in my mouth. Yep, I am chewing on a crown that has detached itself. Sushi! You lose crowns by chewing down on Elk bones, not sushi. I fly to … Continue reading →