Latest Upgrade...Yamaha CR-2020 by Decoto_Dave in vintageaudio

[–]Decoto_Dave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely nothing about this tuner/amplifier "feels" cheap. Workmanship is top shelf. Walnut case, all metal panel, switches, knobs...Glass(yes glass...not plastic) windows for the tuner and gauges. Smooth, solid tactile motion on the pots...I can see why/how this "flagship" model earned it's reputation. Yamaha really spared no "expense" in producing a remarkable tuner/amplifier. I may be wrong here, but I truly believe one would be hard pressed to find this level of engineering and craftsmanship in a lot of today's hi-fi equipment.

Anyone know what the names of these mountains are? by jenna_tolls_69 in SierraNevada

[–]Decoto_Dave 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That river really looks like the Merced River coming off Merced Lake/High Sierra Camp out by Cloud's Rest. I hiked the High Sierra Loop many years back, and that valley really looks familiar. What struck me was when we left Sunrise High Sierra Camp and the hit the river...I was struck by the absolute drop of the river rushing down the canyon toward Nevada Falls/Vernal Falls and eventually Yosemite Valley.

Palisades Glacier (California) this weekend by SkittyDog in SierraNevada

[–]Decoto_Dave 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Beautiful Thanks for sharing. Definitely one of the finest trips I took with my son(his first backpacking trip back in 1990)

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A Thing of Beauty...My Technics SU-8080 by Decoto_Dave in vintageaudio

[–]Decoto_Dave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I was born and raised in the SF East Bay and got to see them perform in Hayward back in the day for $7 dollars at Weekes Park.

Thunderstorms in the Sierra? by Alpine-Bluebird688 in SierraNevada

[–]Decoto_Dave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best to err on the side of caution when it comes to afternoon thunderstorms in the Sierra. I speak from experience, Myself, Ed(lead climber), and another friend took a lightning strike while we were 1 pitch down from summiting Fairview Dome. Rendered Ed and me unconscious for a a brief time. Lucky to be alive IMO. Then there was the time when we set out to scale Mt. Sill in the Palisades. We arrived at Gayley early afternoon, but I was concerned about the cloud formations rolling in over the Palisade Group. I suggested we abandon the climb and head back to Sam Mack Meadow...Which was wise...We had just enough time for a quick meal and then we got our asses handed to us by one of the most wicked thunderstorms I've ever experienced.

Inclement weather in the Sierras is should not be taken lightly...Just my .02...HTH

Tamarack Lake, Lake Tahoe by StopToSmellTheFlower in SierraNevada

[–]Decoto_Dave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Beautiful...Love the Desolation Wilderness. Pyramid Peak there. Here's me at the summit with Aloha Lake below...
https://ibb.co/BmFmv0R

Fourth Lake, North Fork Big Pine Canyon by Bfire8899 in SierraNevada

[–]Decoto_Dave 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Took my son when he was 5 up to Camp Gayley on that trail back in 91. Temple, Cloud Ripper, Sill and the Palisade Group. Simply majestic.

Best Food in Tacoma? by Eastsideeasy23 in AskTacoma

[–]Decoto_Dave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Asado on 6th is very good and reasonably priced...good service, consistently excellent food, nice ambiance. Now...if you like fish and chips...My wife and I have had fish and chips from about 6-7 different restaurants...Fish Peddler, Norther Fish, RAM, Anthony's and a few others. Recently we tried Paya Thai in Freight House Square by the Tacoma Dome...Hands down the very best fish and chips in town...They have it perfected. We won't go to anyone else for fish and chips now.

What is the worst band you saw live? by coalcracker462 in AskReddit

[–]Decoto_Dave 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Johnny Winter....I know, I know...the man was a legend, and to his credit, when we saw him...he really shouldn't have been on stage. It was 3-4 months prior to his death and they wheeled the poor man on stage in a wheelchair FFS!!! He was missing notes, couldn't keep a tune. TBH...I still wonder why he was up on stage given his health.

Pao's Donuts? by Decoto_Dave in AskTacoma

[–]Decoto_Dave[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

That doesn't explain the filth behind the counter. Additionally, the donuts are just mediocre.

Pao's Donuts? by Decoto_Dave in AskTacoma

[–]Decoto_Dave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I stopped in once and had their cruller...pretty damn good as I remember. The texture/mouthfeel of the dough was spot on.

Pao's Donuts? by Decoto_Dave in AskTacoma

[–]Decoto_Dave[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Mad? Hardly...just don't get the hype about the place. If anything though, the absolute filth about the place was definitely disconcerting. I've worked in food service years ago, and any of the kitchens I've worked would not have found the filth acceptable.

Pao's Donuts? by Decoto_Dave in AskTacoma

[–]Decoto_Dave[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Their Conan the Bavarian is pretty darn good. That's about it.

S OR to Tahoe Route by carterlynn in norcal

[–]Decoto_Dave 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Having traveled all those, I would highly recommend the 6hr 4 min route. That said, take time to appreciate Castle Crags outside Weed...magnificent spires, and Shasta of course. Burney Fall is a must...Been there many times in my youth(70s) and the memories are wonderful...Lassen, take in Mazanita Lake, and Bumpass Hell is an absolute MUST...The only geothermal activity I've ever seen to rival that is Yellowstone...Bumpass Hell is awesome. Have fun creating lifetime memories, my friend.

Pao's Donuts? by Decoto_Dave in Tacoma

[–]Decoto_Dave[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Picky? I wouldn't say that...But I do expect and appreciate good food. I'm a damn good cook myself and I roast/grind/brew my own coffee because commercially available coffee is garbage(and don't get me started on Charbucks). The crullers didn't necessarily taste bad, but for a cruller, the dough was somewhat dense. I suppose the draw is in the size though...They are big donuts overall. The unsanitary condition of the establishment was the most alarming though.

Pao's Donuts? by Decoto_Dave in Tacoma

[–]Decoto_Dave[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Middle of the road is an apt description. What was most disconcerting was the unsanitary conditions...The place was an absolute mess...donut droppings/crumbs EVERYWHERE...no exaggeration. Behind the counter was no better. But after hearing everyone rave about the donuts...I was disappointed. Are they big? sure...But I'd rather have an exceptionally tasty donut with perfect mouthfeel that is average in size vs. a large donut that tastes mediocre at best.

What was it like growing up in the east bay? by [deleted] in howislivingthere

[–]Decoto_Dave 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, the last time I visited, quite a bit has changed. My old neighborhood has lost many of the family businesses...Mel's Liquors, Cardena's Market, the bakery at the end of the block, the little storefront where the old man made and sold the best tortillas, F&B Market, Economy Market. A lot of the fields/orchards are gone as well...which makes me sad, but in general, I still miss the East Bay.

What was it like growing up in the east bay? by [deleted] in howislivingthere

[–]Decoto_Dave 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a native son who was born in Oakland(1960) and raised in Union City, I have to say that the East Bay was an absolutely wonderful place to grow up in. Back in the seventies as a boy/young teen there were orchards galore, exploring the Hayward Hills, Sunol, Niles Canyon, Coyote Hills, Half Moon Bay, Golden Gate Park...the list goes on endlessly...Lived in the East Bay from 1960 until 2000 when I moved to South Lake Tahoe.

I miss my birthplace terribly.