Published in THE SIX FIFTY·Sep 23, 2021How a local writer joined extreme kayaker Scott Lindgren for the Netflix doc “The River Runner”Thayer Walker discusses navigating the turbulent waters of the Grand Canyon, masculinity and mental health for a powerful new documentary. — From raging Himalayan rivers to navigating the Nile, Northern Californian Scott Lindgren has made headlines for his worldwide kayaking expeditions.Kayaking11 min readKayaking11 min read
Published in THE SIX FIFTY·Aug 5, 2021The most epic day hike in PacificaOften underrated for its fogbound climate, the lengthy but rewarding Pacifica Grand Tour Loop connects an incredible network of diverse trails — and it’s dog-friendly — If you’re looking for an epic foot-powered Peninsula adventure, venture no farther than the route I’m calling the Pacifica Grand Tour. I didn’t invent it — I found it through the trail website and app AllTrails — but am evangelizing the heck out of it because it’s stunning.Hiking7 min readHiking7 min read
Published in THE SIX FIFTY·Jul 1, 2021REI meets Craigslist? Stanford-born startup offers high-quality used outdoor gearSwitchbackr collects used adventure equipment and makes it more accessible. The friendship of two Stanford University undergrads — and future business co-founders — started off with a series of outdoor misadventures. The first expedition that Alex Friedman of Menlo Park and Sasha Landauer of New York City shared as Stanford…Outdoors6 min readOutdoors6 min read
Published in THE SIX FIFTY·Jun 21, 2021Summer staycation: Overnight camping in Palo Alto’s Foothills ParkMy dog and I had all of Foothills Park to ourselves for a night. It was mildly creepy, and totally awesome. It wasn’t a great day to go camping. It was the Thursday night of a long week, and my boyfriend had a last-minute work meeting come up. Then a…Camping5 min readCamping5 min read
Published in THE SIX FIFTY·May 20, 2021The most beautiful Bay Area trail you’ve never heard of is protected, pristine & open to the publicThe Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail shows you hidden sides of the Crystal Springs Reservoir on docent-led hikes (and best of all — it’s expanding!) Hidden off a dirt road in the Skylawn Memorial Cemetery in the hills between San Mateo and Half Moon Bay is a pristine trail that runs 10…Bay Area8 min readBay Area8 min read
Published in THE SIX FIFTY·Apr 21, 2021Introducing the “Neighborhood Pizza Guy”: an Atherton local with a tasty pandemic passion projectMatt Burr is a home baker who transformed his slice of ambition into a sold out pizza pop-up. What started out as a pandemic passion project for Atherton resident Matt Burr has quickly grown into what could be something more. Burr, formerly the creative director of a small apparel startup…Pizza5 min readPizza5 min read
Published in THE SIX FIFTY·Apr 15, 2021Hometown hikes: Globetrotting couple (& Montara newbies) reveal their favorite Coastside gemsShelter in place forced them to explore close to home — now Dawn and Dan Page share their favorite hiking trails in a blog. Dan and Dawn Page know now that they’ll likely never be considered true locals in the eyes of fellow Montarans. Having lived in the community of…Bay Area6 min readBay Area6 min read
Published in THE SIX FIFTY·Apr 8, 2021After 75 years of breakfasts, free rent couldn’t save Ann’s Coffee Shop in Menlo ParkThe old school diner won’t survive the pandemic, so locals are buying the booths to recreate it at home. After 75 years, Ann’s Coffee Shop, known for its 1950s atmosphere, bottomless carafes of coffee and homemade soups and pies, is set to close April 19, according to Nicki Poulos and…Bay Area7 min readBay Area7 min read
Published in THE SIX FIFTY·Mar 31, 2021Our better nature: Six ideas to diversify the outdoors by including more Latinx peopleJosé González, founder of Latino Outdoors, dissects the misguided assumptions and hidden disparities that leave many families off Peninsula trails. — The past year has been in many ways a devastating one for the Latinx community, which has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 nationwide. …Latinx8 min readLatinx8 min read
Published in THE SIX FIFTY·Mar 11, 2021“Maybe their time is past”: Dr. Seuss’s godson (& Redwood City native) supports book criticsMichael Thompson says he’s proud of his godfather but supports Seuss estate’s action on offensive imagery. — Michael Thompson knew his godfather as Uncle Ted. But to many, many others, Theodor Seuss Geisel was best known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss. Thompson, who now lives in Redwood City, said he was around 3 years old when Geisel dedicated his book “If I Ran the Zoo” to…Dr Seuss7 min readDr Seuss7 min read
