over the hill 13 August 2023 : Caspar Institute

Very quick summary. Long day and I'm tired.

We breakfasted at Parkside, excellent #1 Bennie.

Up the mountain past a welter of Sunday drivers and bicyclers to the East Peak of Mount Tam, where we walked the Verna Dunshee Trail around the top of the peak. Great views, but HOT on the south side.

Love the tongue of fog coming through the Gate.

Fairly clear, considering. Rare to see Diablo from here.

Perfect lighting on a Manzanita bush.

On the way back down, the fog had pulled away from Bolinas (far right) but was still pillowy over the ocean.

scrolls way to the right . . .

Got to Sausalito a little early, found a parking spot. The meter was broken, so we eventually got a ticket, but I'll contest it. It's their job to keep the meters working.

Lunch with Damiana and Rich at Poggio. Fabulous.

Pesca: mixed baby lettuce, peaches, goat cheese, candied pecans, radishes, fried shallots
Caprese: heirloom tomatoes, bufala mozzarella, basil, aceto balsamico
White corn & leek soup (had a better name but it's gone from today's menu): creamy, delicious
Fegatini: chicken liver mousse crostini, cherries, pistachios, aceto balsamico
Agnolotti; polenta & scamorza cheese filled pasta, chanterelles, corn puree, grana padano, pea shoots
Costata: oak grilled ribeye steak, yukon gold potatoes, garlic, arugula, red wine jus, lemon – Rich said it was one of the best restaurant steaks he's ever had

Shakespeare at the outdoor theater at Dominican in San Rafael. Brilliant small cast production of Twelfth Night. Lots of dancing, gorgeous language well spoken. Unobtrusive updating (but Rich hated it: not 'classical'.) Olivia was superb, willowy, seductive, desperate, intense. The Fool was brilliant, and her costumes were spectacular.

[ click here for our 2024 expedition to CalShakes As You Like It ]

Malvolio was malevolent and then pitiful. His mic gave out halfway in, but he was man enough to make himself heard in the tight little (500 seat) theater.

The players played through the fourth wall, and the audience responded. A good Shakespeare hit! to help us get over the loss of OSF.