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September 20, 2023. The AQI in Berkeley was just under 150, about to verge into the red zone, due to wild fires. I decided to go north where it was still about 90, but better. I looked for places to go where I could stay in the car with the air recirculating (online sources disagree […]

Friends have asked how I find my expedition locations. Many ways; reading, radio, conversation, stuff I see from my car and browsing the map are the main ones. Often I pick one spot and then look on the map for stuff nearby, which I did for this one.  I went to the Dunsmuir House for

September 6. For this expedition, I visited the oldest _______ (fill in the blank). Some are just old; I couldn’t verify if they are actually the oldest. My first stop was 301 Broadway, the oldest building in Oakland, probably oldest in the East Bay, built in 1857! It was originally a wine shop, serving this

August 30, 2023. I took a variety of transit for this expedition. I went by bus to Jack London Square to get the ferry to San Francisco. Walked up to Powell and got the Powell Hyde cable car to Francisco Park. The cable car is so fun! I was directed to sit inside at first

August 23, 2023. I went to the Bay Model in Sausalito, which I haven’t been to in decades. It seems a bit run down. Lots of rusty/dirty spots and basic wear and tear, I guess. In addition to water, it contains bridges and piers and that’s about it. I remembered it more featured, more diorama-like. 

August 16, 2023. First stop was the Western Pacific Depot, near Jack London Square, used as a railway station from 1910 to 1970. It has the distinction of being named the first official Oakland landmark. Since the 70’s it’s been occupied by different businesses. I was pleased to see that the fenced in seating area

August 9, 2023. Julia Morgan was a prominent local architect who designed many buildings around here in the first half of the 20th century. Non-locals may know her as the designer of the Hearst Castle. My sister and I visited the Chapel of the Chimes on Saturday, a spectacular building designed by Morgan (so I

August 2, 2023. As I rambled through the Internet looking for stuff to look for, I came across a walking tour pointing out evidence of movement of the Hayward Fault. I already had another spot on my idea list that seemed like it could pair well: the Gateway Emergency Preparedness Exhibit Center. Another local favorite

July 26, 2023. More hills! I found a route online that included 7 sets of steps. I encountered two more (including Oscar’s Alley) so 9 total (two of them go through 2 blocks). The route slyly didn’t say which went up and which went down; it was about even.  I made a few stops before

July 19, 2023. Yesterday’s Wednesday Expedition #2 was so much fun I’m making it official. Every Wednesday is expedition day! I took the bus to Jack London Square. Did you know there’s an observation deck above the ferry entry? Not a heck of a lot to observe but fun to discover. I had a bite