Josh Levinger

Adventures at home, abroad, and online

Tokyo bound

After a busy year at work with no vacation due to the election, we decided to take off for the holidays. No east coast Christmas for us, instead we are going to the Far East coast.

We packed for three weeks in carryon suitcases: two pairs of pants each, our most outlandish pants, and enough gear to keep us warm. Where we’re going it’s actually winter, unlike California.

Took BART to SFO, and we’re dismayed by the fog and flight delays. Our first leg through LA was postponed, so we would miss the next international connection. We waited in a very long line to rebook, but we’re aided by a man with rockabilly hair and a solver’s attitude, who put us on a direct SF-Tokyo flight.

One sprint through the airport with our light luggage, a few surprised ticket agents later, and we were on board. Didn’t have seats together, but we’ll see each other a bunch for the next three weeks. Sadly there were no in flight movie screens, just a persistent beeping to remind me why I try not to fly legacy carriers.

Now a 12-hour flight over the international date line into the future. Will update this blog as Internet and time allows.

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Oakland holidays

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Making matzoh ball soup while Ruth decorates our tree with lights and dinosaurs.

Send in the Drones

I’m really into drones this year.

Blue Angels

Every summer, the military puts on grand display of the glory of our fading empire for Fleet Week. I got out there and enjoyed the show with the rest of the crowd. The F22 is a pretty impressive machine, albeit one that costs $150 million a piece and has never been used in combat.

Blue Angels and the GGB

Blue Angels and the GGB

Precise Contrails

Precise Contrails


Blue Angels over Alcatraz

Blue Angels over Alcatraz

F22 Raptor, F18 Hornet and P-51 Mustang

F22 Raptor, F18 Hornet and P-51 Mustang

Yosemite

As part of our one adventure per weekend policy, Ruth and I left the city for Yosemite this weekend. Stayed south of the park in a campground in the Sierra National Forest, but drove into the park on Saturday. We know we’re not quite in shape for Half Dome, but we initially considered doing a 14-mile Glacier Point loop as an alternative. But the 100 degree weather and our own inertia won out, and we ended up doing a lovely 7-mile loop off the Tioga road to Cathedral Lake.

On Sunday we woke late, on account of the copious cheap wine and smores cooked over the campfire. Swam in Bass Lake, had lunch in Mariposa, and then drove back to the bay. The air conditioner decided to quit in the hottest part of the central valley, but once we crested Altamont Pass, the cool bay breeze appeared to welcome us home.

Swimming in Tenaya Lake

Swimming in Tenaya Lake

Clouds approaching over Cathedral Peak

Clouds approaching over Cathedral Peak

Half Dome from Olmstead Point

Olmstead Point Half Dome

Sunset from Tunnel View

Sunset from Tunnel View

Sunset and rain

Sunset and rain

Setting up at Tunnel View

Setting up at Tunnel View

Panorama from Tioga Road

Panorama from Tioga Road

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