Tormod Posted March 21, 2007 Author Report Posted March 21, 2007 It was raining when we were at Google, about 60 degrees I think, but at IBM the sun broke through and we had a very nice evening. Just found out that getting from SF to Mountain View on a workday morning is crazy, so were going by Caltrain instead. Up at 6am...aaaargh.... Quote
Queso Posted March 21, 2007 Report Posted March 21, 2007 280 and 101 in the mornings is ridiculous! Quote
Tormod Posted March 23, 2007 Author Report Posted March 23, 2007 So we ended up taking Caltrain on Wednesday morning, and that was a brilliant idea since the sun came up as the train pulled out of the station and we had a great ride down to Mountain View. I must admit not quite understanding which mountains they view from there but who cares. It's a pretty place. The visit to NASA was stunning - they were truly welcoming and it was a nice change after three extremely intensive days. I learned a lot about how NASA Ames works with new business and entrepreneurs, which is the reason I went to visit so I was very happy with that. Very friendly folks. Around noon we took Caltrain back to SF, and after a short stop at the hotel we crossed the bay and had a meeting with some folks over at Berkeley's Lester Center for Innovation. They run an incubator for startups, so we talked with the professors who are in charge of it. Interesting stuff. The "We" above are myself and my co-student Bjorn, who is the CEO of a private innovation centre about an hours' drive south of Oslo. We're writing a project paper together on the national innovation system, so visiting NASA and also the UC incubator was extremely relevant for us (for those not in the know, I work at the Norwegian Space Centre in my "real" life). Today the entire class of students have spent the day at Berkeley, where we have had several lectures by staff from the innovation studies, and we also participated at an innovation network social function, which was focused on renewable energy sources which is all the rage in California (and also back home) so that was extremely interesting. Now it's bedtime and only one more day to go before I am off for three days of quality holiday time. Still no sign of any hypographer's who'd like to meet me so I guess I'll not get the chance at all this time. Quote
Tormod Posted March 23, 2007 Author Report Posted March 23, 2007 BTW I have rented a car for Sunday and am thinking about going up to Sonoma/Napa valley to see the wine district. Any travel suggestions are welcome! Quote
Buffy Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 I'd go the other direction. Napa is great if you're going to hit the wineries, but I find that is best when you're with a couple of people. Its pretty but not stunning. If you head south on 1 you'll hit some of the most stunning coast there is, then come back over 17 (or 9!) to 280 and back to the city. Keep going and you'll hit Monterey and go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (worth every minute and dollar!). Have lunch at the Hog's Breath Inn in Carmel and you might run into Clint Eastwood who owns the place. If you really want to go north, drive along the coast to at least Stinson Beach or Bolinas, or keep going to Bodega Bay. Stop in Sausalito for dinner (Scoma's or Horizon's, are right on the water and really great food but bring $$$) on the way back. Have fun!Buffy Quote
Queso Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 Yeah, you have to drive down 1, and definitely drive on high way 9. Those are THE funnest drives. The monterey bay aquarium is sooo zen.Sunfish and sharks and jellyfish and the bay . . Hope you brought some good tunes! Quote
Queso Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 Hey Buffy, have you ever been to Ciao Bella? That's the craziest restaurant on Earth!It's on highway 9 in ben lomand...The waitresses get up and dance on this stage that they have set up to this crazy music, and they serve this amazingly delicious italian food, and the whole place is decorated so insanely. They just break out in random dances it's so absurd. I love that place. Don't know if you'd like it though, Tormod. It's bizzarre. :eek2: Look:http://www.ciaobellabenlomond.com/ California is crazy. Quote
Buffy Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 Hey Buffy, have you ever been to Ciao Bella?Yes, but only for lunch. I hear its crazier at night.California is crazy.No arguments from me there. Heck, I figure I'm partly responsible for it! If everybody had an ocean, :eek2:Buffy Quote
Queso Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 Remember that TV show Bay Area back roads? That's how my mom found out about that place.:eek2: Quote
Buffy Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 Yes, and boy did we cry when Mutley died....sniff... Cute puppies,Buffy Quote
Tormod Posted March 23, 2007 Author Report Posted March 23, 2007 1 and 9 sounds like it, then! Hoping for good weather. (I'm sitting in on the last presentation of the week and we still have some group work to do but my brain is full...thank George for wireless...) Quote
Queso Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 I don't know how far you plan on driving . . but Big Sur is a good 2-3 hours down highway 1. Magical forests. Also, at the very top (summit) of highway 9 there is a trail that takes you to this rock that over looks almost the entire bay area. (Amazing) If you're interested I can write you a map. Quote
Tormod Posted March 23, 2007 Author Report Posted March 23, 2007 Orb, a map would be really nice! ;) I plan to leave quite early (before 7am) so I have plenty of time. Quote
freeztar Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 Too bad you don't have more time...northern Cali is Awesome! The redwoods are amazing and Mt. Shasta is a sight to behold. But, Big Sur and Monterey are very cool too! I would second the suggestion to go to the aquarium there. It is the best I've ever been to. Definitely stop in Santa Cruz. It is a cool town right on the ocean and is famous for its surfing. There's a long pier you can walk out on and there is also an amusement park right on the beach. I would make Big Sur your end point. The drive south from there is beautiful, but not worth it with the amount of time you have. There's so much to see in Cali-Yosemite, Sequoias, Joshua Tree, etc...Here are some places worth checking out in Big Sur:Big Sur California - Picnics I've been to Jade Cove and it is really cool. I'm a rock hound so it was great finding some really nice pieces of jade and serpentine there. Take lots of pictures and share them with us when you return home! ;) Quote
Queso Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 mmmmm, indeed. Freedom's fun. If you want to check out summit rock: Take 9 from the coast (There is a junction in Santa Cruz near Highway 17, you can use the internet to find out exactly where it's at) And drive ALL the way to the summit. It's like 30 miles of twists and turns thru the beautiful santa cruz mountains. Redwoods galore. Once you reach the summit, there will be a 4 way stop. (You'll just know it's the summit)Go RIGHT! Drive along down for a couple miles, you will pass a clearing on your right (which will unveil to you the mountains you just drove thru. There's a small parking lot to stop and watch the sunset. Someone spray painted "Eagle Rock" on a rock right there. Can't miss it. This means you're close. Keep driving (unless you want to stop)and not too far down the road on your LEFTyou will see a big wooden pole, and a dirt parking space.Park! Get out of your rental car, bring some water (and whatever you want. provisions, a notepad?) Walk up the trail. You're going to come upon one or two forks in the path, I forget.Always go left. It's an easy hike, probaby about 15 minutes. Once you reach the meadow you know you're close.Walk up the steep climb and there will be a giant rock!Climb on top of this rock and you will see the bay area the way I've always seen it. Beautiful, quiet. Think you can find it? Quote
Tormod Posted March 24, 2007 Author Report Posted March 24, 2007 Thanks freezey and orb! I had some free time today as well, so I have explored the area south of Market Street. Most of my co-students are on their way back to Norway while a few of us are still around, but I really needed some time on my own after this incredibly busy week. I found a Borders bookstore and spent hours in there looking for good photography books...and then I got a sandwich to go from a Starbucks and a sixpack of beer from a booze store and am spending the evening in my hotel room for a change. I even bought the Firefly TV series on DVD (it never aired at home, I think, so all I've seen of that universe is Serenity). Tomorrow I'll check out Haight Ashbury, and maybe go all the way to the big park to do some photography. I heard you can rent a bike and cross the Golden Gate, I might do that. I need to find a Circuit City so I can get a polarizer filter (I've had enough of the "discount" camera stores around here). I thought there was one on Fourth street but I was unable to find it...must be further south perhaps. I'll find it on their website I guess. Quote
Tormod Posted March 24, 2007 Author Report Posted March 24, 2007 Think you can find it? Okay, you've given me a challenge so I'll take you up on it - expect a photo sometime late Sunday! :confused: Quote
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