Tic toc, another year.

The benefits of being a chauffeur. The morning views of the waterfront.

Best seat mate ever. No, not her, the dog. She was nice but the dog later used my lap as a pillow. The world made sense.

Like St John the views never get old.

That used to be me hanging off the side of a building. These type of buildings were my stock and trade for more than ten years. I used to rig and paint the entire building with just one other person. Upwards of three months depending on how many stories and windows. I had a backlog that extended out two years. I could still be doing it now, haha. They would be ready for a repaint after twenty years. The new painters are reading the messages I left for them high up on the buildings. We signed every building. They probably don't believe that only two people painted the building. Unfortunately, after doing these buildings I thought building a house would be a lay-up. Yes, I can be that dumb and naive.

We visit old haunts when family or friends show up. The Japanese Tea Garden.

The professional free loaders showed up, oops, I mean my nephews from Australia. We decided to bore them with the Japanese tea garden in Golden Gate Park one of our favorite spots. Once upon a time it was possible to have the place to yourself during the week and then kill the afternoon drinking tea and eating treats at the tea room. Now, fuhggeaddoudit.

On to the next tourist attractions, Napa, Muir Woods, and our favorite Yosemite.

 Yosemite!

Joni, Spencer and Denise standing for the mandatory picture, akin to the Trunk overlook. Clark had gone back to Australia. More room in the SUV...haha

The entrance to the Ahwahnee Lodge, subject to a name change if the ongoing lawsuit doesn't settle. They can change the name but long time visitors never will.

We always go in the winter. Basically the place is empty, the fireplaces are roaring, and if you get really lucky you will get snowed in.

The Shining....haha

We got lucky. On the second day thesnow arrived. These photos are not in black and white, although they appear that way. It's the light at 7 a.m.

Our room is behind the trees.

I don't think there is a finer place for breakfast on a snowy winter day. Yosemite has to be on your bucket list. We prefer January thru April. No crowds whatsoever, a little skiing on some baby slopes, great hikes, and the falls are gushing in March/April/May. And if you get snowed in, you will never forget it.

The ever present coyote.

Got off our lazy butts and got a tree this year.

Finally, a little culture before heading back to the shack.

SAN FRANCISCO (August 7, 2015)—The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the Cincinnati Art Museum are pleased to announce Sublime Beauty: Raphael’s “Portrait of a Lady with a Unicorn.” This focused exhibition features one of Raphael’s most beguiling and enigmatic paintings. The masterpiece, presented in the United States for the first time, will be lent by the Galleria Borghese in Rome, where it was first recorded in the collection in 1682.

Chinatown prep for their New Year

It was also a great season for movies leading up to the Oscars. The Revenant, Hateful Eight, 13 Hours, Spectre, the Big Short, Brooklyn, Sicario, Macbeth, and Star Wars. We're usually happy with just a couple.

And finally, the year wouldn't be complete without some more stitches!