Doin' America

So where have I been?  The answer isn't simple but I'll try to make it sound that way:  Asleep.  San Fransisco.  Walgreens.

Recently I received a diagnosis.  Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.  Not surprising considering my Mom has similar thyroid problems, since she was my age.  I should have guessed.  The symptoms were pretty clear, and if you ever even sort of suspect you might have it, don't sleep for two years.  Go get a blood test. In the end, the worst part is that breakfast is sort of forever ruined for me.  I have to take a pill every morning, and then I can't eat.  For an HOUR after taking it!  And no calcium-rich products for 4 hours.  Goodbye cold cereal.

Actually I just took it now.  So I have an hour before I can eat.   And I'm going to post pictures from my recent trip to Northern California.

First of all, the West Coast has these guys.  They are mad lazy and smell bad.  Like most things in California.

Then there were big trees.  I drove through this one.  And yes, it is still alive.  Childhood dream realized.

The whole tree.  It costs $5 to drive through this piece.  And there's a tacky gift shop that has almost nothing to do with trees.

Our view from dinner.  Crab House, Pier 39, San Fransisco.

Haight-Ashbury.  They have a ton of murals there.  "Don't gain the world and lose your soul. Wisdom is better than silver & gold."

San Fransisco is known for its Chinatown, but I thought Japan town was better.  Less scary.  And exactly like Japan.  They even had an American Version of a Japanese 100 Yen store, except everything was $1.50.  Damn exchange rate.

Wine-tasting at Ravenswood in Sonoma, CA. 

Mt. Shasta on the way back.