Sacramento

Spent the day up near Auburn and along the old Lincoln Highway. Had lunch at one of my favorite taco stands, Jimboys. Every Sunday, you can get their ground beef taco at a special price. I love these tacos, greasy and horrible for me but soooooo good. When I lived in Sacramento in the late 80s, my kitchen staff and I use to all pitch in on a Sunday morning and buy a few dozen tacos for a late breakfast/early lunch. Nothing cures a hangover like a Jimboys taco.

Stopped at Ikeda's above Auburn and bought a fresh apple pie for dessert tonight. The place was swamped from skiers coming down the hill. The pie was still warm when I bought it. The kitchen in back seemed to be barely keeping up.

Denver

Just got back from Denver. Cold and it snowed on Thursday night. Had to drive up to Conifer to visit a Safeway kiosk on Friday morning. The drive up was beautiful with the snow on the mountains and on the trees. Got a few shots in on the drive back down.

Sunday Morning

The best part of being home is Sunday mornings and the Hollywood Farmer's Market. Jim and I have our routine: Coffee at the local coffee house on Selma and Cahuenga and then a leisurely stroll through the market. The colors, the choice of food and the mounds of fresh produce are unbelievable. Early in the am, the local chefs from Hollywood and West Hollywood buy their produce for the week as well. The sampling and snacking options make breakfast optional.

Some agua fresca to sip while walking....

The blind Spanish guitarist that plays half way up Ivar is a constant. I love the fact that he ties his tip bucket to his chair.

Oranges and tangerines are in season...





I love the pupusas stand. Always hit it on the way out for a quick snack before we head up the hill for breakfast. Hot, spicy with cold crunchy slaw and fresh off the griddle. Doesn't get much better than that.

home for the week

Just flew in from Norcal. Grey and rainy boo! Hopefully this will pass in a day. Last weekend was awesome

Portland

Staying downtown tonight. Spent the day in a company workshop. Had a chance to grab my camera and wander for a few hours. Went through the Pearl District and down broadway. Beautiful night, clear and dry. This is a beautiful city.

neon signs

I love neon. Living in Vegas sent my brain into overload looking at everything at night. I especially love old neon signs. Had dinner with Bill and Dana last night at Casa Vega in the valley. Old school Mexican with an old school sign. Usually it seems whenever I eat there, Brittney Spear's ex is having dinner at the casa as well. No Federline siting last night though.

In Portland now for a meeting tomorrow morning. Got in late this afternoon and took a few shots downtown before heading to my hotel.I love Portland's Chinatown. One or two streets that still have the old chinese cafes that advertise chop suey and chow mein.

Day off!

Finally have a Saturday off and spent it with the Damianos at the model train show in Long Beach. The boy was out of his gourd, trains galore.


Dante got to play with the controls at one booth

Had some hot dogs and gave his pop the evil eye when Chris tried to horn in on the dog action.

He was also decked in the full addidas track suit. Some gold chains and a pack of cigerettes and a shaved head and he could pass for the locals around Hollywood and Western.

Downtown Buffalo

My flight doesn't leave until 5:30 so I had time to "explore" Buffalo this afternoon. The downtown is a work in progress. Lots of empty buildings and empty lots. The older buildings that are still standing though, are beautiful. The city Hall is a perfectly preserved 1920s stream line deco building. Lots of detailed work on the outside and murals that are a tribute to the agricultural bounty of the city and county.
The monument in front is a tribute to William McKinley, assassinated in Buffalo at the turn of the century. Millard Fillmore rates a statue on the side of the building but not quite as arresting or beautiful as the McKinley monument.

heading out

Finally!
Leaving Buffalo to head home where cold is 60 degrees. I didn't plan this transition well. I should have done the Northeast first and then Florida and the Bahamas. It is snowing and 10 degrees right now in Buffalo with a wind chill that cuts it to minus 3degrees. Whoof. I haven't been this cold since I lived in Chicago.
Looking forward to NorCal this next week.

New York and Pittsburgh

In Pittsburgh now, one city away from being done. It is cold. Very cold. So cold that when I took these photos, I couldn't feel my hands after a minute. A clear and beautiful night, great for taking photos. The reflection from the bridge to the water fascinates me. Not sure I completely captured how the bridge looks but it is beautiful.

Spent the am in NYC with a new franchise partner in the 30 Rockefeller Center. Clear, sunny and cold.



ON to Buffalo tomorrow. Not sure if we are nuts or what but John and I couldn't get a direct flight to Buffalo so we are driving from Pittsburgh tomorrow.