California Travels

Berkeley Kite Festival

We have had this date in our diary for some time now and were both looking forward to it.  I have only been once before and enjoyed it very much.  The night before though there was some doubt as to whether we would actually be able to go.  We had nine cubic yards of cedar bark delivered and spent all of the afternoon trying to move and spread it.  It was back breaking work.  By the end of the day we had moved only half and were exhausted.  Would we be able to even get out of bed in the morning?

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Amazingly we were both fine when we woke up.  According to the weather forecast it was going to be a beautiful day, although the temperature in Berkeley would be a bit cooler than in south San Jose.  There didn’t seem to be too much wind about but closer to the Golden Gate it would be different.

Our route is easy, north on 101 and then 880 all the way to the Bay Bridge.  Berkeley is a short hop from there.  880 is almost as devoid of scenic interest as 101 so there wasn’t much to grab my attention apart from noting how rarely you see drivers holding a cell phone these days.  I wonder whether there has been a decrease in accidents since the new law came into effect of July 1st.

The roadworks south of Fremont are nearly complete and it looks like there is going to be a carpool lane on this freeway.  The road surface is much improved as well.  In fact it was smooth most of the way to just north of the Oakland Coliseum.  Then suddenly we were driving on one of the worst road surfaces ever!

After an interesting breakfast at Cafe Durant in Berkeley, we made our way down University to the Marina.  There were traffic signs warning that there would be congestion between 11 & 4 due to the kite festival and you’d better believe it.  As it is only just 9 we were fine.

There still doesn’t seem to be a lot of wind about but a few flags were waving slightly.  Last time we came we were able to park for free but no more.  There are no parking signs up everywhere and just one designated parking lot where the charge is $10.  We had to go for that as there was nowhere else to park.  All the available spaces were taken up SUVs and trucks with boat launches attached.  The car park is not very big so I’m guessing it will fill up quickly.

The festival is held in Cesar E Chavez Park and there is no fee to enter the park.  We followed the path uphill and could see a couple of small kites up in the sky and came to an area where they were offering free kite lessons  Now I’ve never flown a kite and would like to one day but not today.  Next came the vendor and food booths.

More and more kites were getting into the air.  Tom and I stood and watched as a huge rainbow colored sting ray was slowly hoisted aloft.  It was part of the static display and tethered to a pick up truck.  While we watch the slow progress, two other amateur photographers joined us.  We stood and chatted for a while.  They were both retired and spend most of their time traveling.  They talked about the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, Bryce Canyon, Tall Ships in San Francisco and several other places they’ve visited.  Can’t wait until we retire!

Out in the main arena there were several kit fliers practicing.  The three keen photographers wandered off for a closer look to take photos.  I decided to sit on the grass, write and enjoy what was happening all around.  I had nothing to sit on but the rather scrubby and pot holed ground but I didn’t mind.  There were a few family groups settled nearby with their rugs, chairs, food, etc.  More and more spectators gathered all the while I  sat there.  I tried to keep an eye on Tom but somehow he wandered off without me seeing in which direction he went.  I knew I would bump into him somewhere later.

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August 01 2008 | Special Places | 2 Comments »

Cafe Durant, Berkeley

Before we left this morning, I looked up breakfast places in Berkeley.  We usually eat at Bette’s Ocean View Diner but decided to try somewhere different today.  Cafe Durant was well recommended so we programed the address into Mollie (affectionate term for our GPS) and set off.

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As we turned onto Durant Avenue in Berkeley, we began to have doubts.  Maybe we had put in the wrong address.  But Mollie deposited us right outside.  I had read a few reviews which mentioned it being upstairs and I could see the tables, chairs and umbrellas on the second floor but still the entrance is very hard to find.  There are several restaurants in the same building so look for the clues.  First clue is on the big sign outside.  There is an arrow pointing downwards.  So we walked into a dimly lit entry way.  The next clue is on the wall to the right on which is another arrow and a sign saying ‘Upstairs and turn left’.

It is unashamably a Mexican restaurant.   At first we were a bit reluctant to enter.  For a start the place was almost empty - never a good sign.  Also it looks a bit run down.  We decided though that if we could stomach the Video Cafe last weekend we should be able to manage this.  We had to find out why the reviews were so good.

There was just one customer inside and he had obviously overheard our conversation.  He was a young man and he told us that, indeed, the food was very good.  We asked where everybody was and he said that this was early for Berkeley (8 a.m.).  Even the 7-11 does not open until 8 a.m.  He also said that we could sit anywhere but we had to go to the counter to order first.

The menu is huge and displayed up on the wall.  I had difficulty finding the oatmeal, due to the glare of a badly placed spotlight, but it was there.  I asked if it was cooked in the microwave but was assured that it was cooked in a pan, so I went for it ($2.95).  I also order a fruit salad (3.95).  Tom ordered Huevos Con Chorizo (not sure of the price but about $7).

(Again, click on the thumb for a larger version.)

The seating was different.  No booths.  White linen talecloths with a sheet of glass on top.  Underneath each one were colorful soccer posters and every table was different.  All the chairs were made out of bamboo and had cushioned seats.  Out on the patio were twelve plastic tables and chairs.

The rest of the decor was bright and cheerful.  Big colorful pictures on the walls plus painted plates, plaques, hanging bunches of ceramic fruit and even a wonderful black sombrero with silver decoration.  Most impressive were two large, intricate, tiled mosaics.

The food was served to our table pretty fast - well we were the only customers by now.  The oatmeal arrived on a large, blue, ceramic plate in a wide, shallow, round, plastic bowl with cinnamon sprinkled on top.  Sugar, raisins and milk came in small plastic pots.  There was not enough milk so I had to ask for more.  The fruit salad came in an identical bowl to the oatmeal and contained cubes of green & orange melon and apples with slices of bananas and strawberries.  It was a large portion.  Tom’s Huevos, with its rice, refried and black beans with a flour tortillas, looked truly Mexican.  My oatmeal was so-so but Tom was well impressed with his, so the reputation of Cafe Durant is well founded.

One word of caution, do not use the restroom - it’s pretty disgusting.  To get to it you have to walk through the kitchen.  When I told Tom he commented that it was part of the charm. Yeah right.

Conclusion.  If you are up for trying something different and you like Mexican food, this is the place for you.

Note from Tom:  Bette’s is much better.  Not Mexican but wonderful scrambled eggs.

July 26 2008 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »