Yosemite

If you've never been to Yosemite (like me, as of just before this last April), then you need to start making plans to go check this place out. They recommend making reservations weeeeeeell in advance (something like 5 months in advance?) because they camping spots go very quickly. I also learned that as nice as it might sound, summer is not the time to go, because it gets so crowded it's ridiculous. But just be prepared to freeze your butt off because it gets cold at night during the winter months. I think it dropped down to about 33 degrees while Robin and I were there with my Bio Science class. The class was given a pass, but otherwise, it was around $20 to get into the valley, and for Robin and I, it was $20 for 3 days and 2 nights. It's well worth it. The views are just mind blowing, it's so beautiful. The pictures I added do it no justice. I have some I took with my digital slr which I may upload some day. The waterfall in the photos is actually 3 teirs tall. It fell two more time above the fall section you see, and the drop was maybe twice as long as the one shown. It's such a great place, but such a bummer at the same time because there are little hints here and there (besides the obvious over crowding) of the pollution that is beginning to kill some of the trees from all the cars that drive through the valley all year. I think the camp grounds are actually closed part of the year, during the heart of the winter months, because of snow, but otherwise I think they're open the rest of the year.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/

Juicy Lucys

THIS, is a Juicy Lucy. After watching Man Vs. Food a while ago, Robin and I got the idea to make these. We had a day planned to go to an A's game this last April with an old co-worker/ friend of mine, and figured that would be the day to unleash these things. A Juicy Lucy is like a super hamburger (in this case, veggie burger). Instead of one patty, you make two, and in the middle, you can but whatever type of cheese you like, then you grill that bad boy up, and when you take a bit out of it, you get a super warm cheese explosion.

Casa Latina

This is a great new spot for me. This place is on San Pablo, maybe a block or two from Gilman St. I really like this place, not only because they have really good burritos and a large selection of sweet breads, but this is the place where I first got to know Robin, so this place has some really good memories for me.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-latina-bakery-berkeley

Underdog hot dogs

Man, this place is great. If you're ever in the mood for a really good vegan hot dog, come to this spot. They've got vegan and non-vegan links, potato salad, and tater tots, along with a bunch of other goodies. Robin and I went not too long ago and both polished of two rounds of veggie dogs. I don't remember exactly what we had, but i know Robin had an apple sage dog for her first go, and I think one of mine was a vegan bratwurst. I don't remember off hand what our others were, but they were some of the greatest veggie dogs I've ever had.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/underdog-san-francisco

Ps. I'm a new fan of sour kraut, and after talking to a co-worker the other day, I was introduced to the idea of putting kimchi on a dog. I don't know that I'm up for that yet, but who knows, it could be good?

Swine Flu!

I saw this the other day by my work.

Peasant Pies

A couple weeks ago I was out in the city for a bit and caught up with Justin and his lady Jackie. They were out gettin' some food and were about to stop by this place called Peasant Pies out in the sunset. These are the same ones you can find at whole foods or other health food spots. If I remember right, I got one with black beans and one with curried tofu. They were awesome.
http://www.peasantpies.com/

Tamales!

I went to the farmer's market one Tuesday @ Todos Santos Park in concord and happened upon this little booth that sold tamales (and only tamales I think). The sign above the booth was fairly vague, it read something like "tamales" in really big letters and gave an address on International Blvd., and that's basically it. I think it was some spot from Oakland. I picked up some cheese tamales and the lady gave me some of the greatest green sauce I've ever had. She had it in one of those big jugs usually used to store horchata or agua fresca. Right after she opened it to give me some sauce, the smell hit my nose. It was so strong and so good. The jug was maybe 5-6 ft away, and it carried over to the window where I was standing it was so strong.

Check it out:
http://www.edibleeastbay.com/pages/farmers.htm

Martinez Shoreline

I was out @ the salt marsh in Martinez taking photos to use for a bio science class I was in. I snapped this one (like every photo on here basically) with my celly cell.