Top 10 Pics, Part II

… since I had a really hard time picking only 10, and knowing I’m in charge of my blog, I decided to pick ten more.

Themes I have noticed:

- I’ve only picked one image with a person in it (and even that one is sort of stealth). This was not entirely accidental, as I did think about trying to keep anyone from having feelings hurt. I love you all equally.

- I like sunsets (and sunrises were I awake at that time regularly). Does anyone not like them?

- They’re geographically diverse, which reflects my affinity for travel, and to some degree, my professional career as well. 

Generally, I enjoy taking pictures of places, architecture, & nature the most. Not to imply anything about people, but there’s something about the “grandeur of nature”, let’s say. 

The iconic drinking fountain at Jarling's Custard Cup, Champaign, IL

Gleam Art Festival, Madison, WI

6" Banana Slug somewhere in Northern CA (they named a college mascot after these!)

Sunset at Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel, CA

Sunset at Excelsior Commons Beach, Excelsior, MN

I-80 Truck Stop, somewhere in east Iowa

Manai Gastronomia stairwell, Sao Paolo, Brazil (this was a tasty lunch!)

UCI World Cup Track Event, London, UK (this was awesome!)

The Well at Winter, south of Minneapolis, MN

State Capitol building at night, Madison, WI

Barrel House Tavern, Sausalito, CA

This place is like an oasis in a bustling tourist town. Right on the ocean or bay. Great space, plenty of light and views. Awesome decor. And it only got better from there. We started with a great seat on the windows, looking out over the bay, then grabbed the menu...

We were very hungry and were basically wanting everything on the menu. Luckily, one of my fellow diners was nice enough to agree to "going splitzies" on two sandwich options. We chose the Steak Sandwich and the Burger (if I recall... ate too fast for many picks). We ordered a daily special of crudo for our table too...

And this steak sandwich - Mama mia! Plus sweet potato fries - we did good.

And sure, the food looks good, but I do feel remiss for not getting some shots of the views from this place (up on the 2nd floor, overlooking the bay) - it's just peaceful and serene. A really great setting to have a superb drink and/or meal.

Honestly, as soon as the next group of visitors, friends, or a date suggests anything near Sausalito, I'm going back to this place. It's not the cheapest of establishments, but the service, products, views, and overall feel are simply worth it.

Sunday Marin Civic Center Farmers’ Market, San Rafael, CA

How could I stay away from the State of California's 3rd largest farmers' Market? I can't. And why would I want to? Sure, it was a little rainy out, but the food, the people watching, the community, and the FOOD.

Breakfast needed to be sourced, and it was hard... to decide which amazing offering I wanted in my belly! It turned into Deli vs. Pork?!

Pork won (and deli was out of salmon anyways... I know, it's rough)...

I added a local coffee purveyor too...

They also do something special for local chefs - they have carts available for them to handle their daily shopping, which I thought was genius.

If you can't tell, I am sold on this market. If you're anywhere near on a Sunday morning, I would very much recommend.

Replanting the Transplanted Chicagoan, Morgan Hill, CA

It's time again for this Transplanted Chicagoan to replant myself in a new location. I will soon be in Morgan Hill, CA, working at the company that makes the bikes below. This is what you'll see if you visit me at the office (hint, hint)...

Current designs, historic bikes, and projects of the future too.

Even funky old stuff too...

Like my previous employer, I've been around this brand since '92, at my first bike shop. I have some old product still at home, and some old pics of the first real MTB I ever owned.

(these gloves were the shit in the 90s)

1992 Stumpjumper M2, bought as a rigid bike and fork added later.