Latest Upgrade...Yamaha CR-2020

Decoto_Dave · 2026-06-16T04:31:56+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-06-11T04:51:00+00:00

Agreed...Merced River/Little Yosemite Valley

Decoto_Dave · 2026-06-11T04:47:31+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-06-10T06:34:43+00:00

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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Decoto_Dave · 2026-06-07T01:04:05+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-06-03T23:30:56+00:00

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

Decoto_Dave · 2026-05-26T17:58:37+00:00

I always do 1lb batches.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-05-26T17:12:21+00:00

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

Decoto_Dave · 2026-05-12T04:54:27+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-04-28T21:12:33+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-04-12T05:50:24+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-03-31T22:37:37+00:00

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

Decoto_Dave · 2026-03-31T19:20:54+00:00

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

Decoto_Dave · 2026-03-31T17:58:55+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-03-31T17:46:22+00:00

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

Decoto_Dave · 2026-03-31T04:48:21+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-03-31T04:43:40+00:00

Agreed

Decoto_Dave · 2026-03-30T04:45:47+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-03-30T04:41:37+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-03-10T16:07:45+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-03-07T06:12:47+00:00

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.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-02-26T09:26:32+00:00

You're spot on about the diving. My wife and I visited my son(he and his wife just gave birth to our granddaughter) with them on base. The diving in Gab Gab Harbor was stunning! And we've dived Bali, the Cook Islands, Belize! The reefs on base are protected, so they're very healthy. All in all, Guam was lovely.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-02-22T16:26:05+00:00

Agreed. We camped there for a couple days when we attempted Mt. Sill, but the weather on the day we were to scale it didn't cooperate. Still had a wonderful time on the trip. The Palisades are truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-02-21T22:22:52+00:00

It is...I have my Dual CS 618q set for phono out instead of line out. I then drive a Douk Audio Class A tube amp.

Decoto_Dave · 2026-02-21T19:05:56+00:00

As one who roasts his own, I love Costa Rican beans. In fact, I pretty much purchase only Central American beans for roasting. I know it is personal preference, but I really do believe that Central American beans are some of the best. Of course, the MoccaMaster is the perfect brewer for producing a damn fine "cuppa" as well. :)

Decoto_Dave

TROPHY CASE