It was during a summer trip to Central Valley, California, and we were driving for awhile. Were we driving to San Francisco? Monterey? Santa Rosa? Sadly my memory fails me. But all I remember was I was tired after driving for hours. I needed a caffeinated pick-me-up before continuing to drive for a few more hours. So I asked my wife to use the Starbucks mobile app to locate a nearby store. The app showed a few locations, and I headed to the closest one which so happened to be located in an outdoor shopping outlet area. Seeing the familiar Starbucks sign was truly an oasis.

I got out of the car, walked to the door, and noticed this unfamiliar logo in the window.

Holy Starbucks! We randomly stumbled upon a rare Starbucks Clover location!! I couldn’t believe it. Off all the stores displayed on the Starbucks app, we happened to pick one with a Clover brewing system.

Like I said, I was fatigued from driving and my memory is fading, but I couldn’t quite figure out the Clover menu. A barrista cheerfully guided me through the various options, and I got an iced Kenya. Because it’s freshly brewed, the wait time was a bit longer, but it was fascinating to watch the individual brewing process. I do remember the coffee tasting fresher and not as bitter. The flavor was deeper, but since my drink was iced, the fresh brew quickly became watered down as the ice melted.

Still though, having a Starbucks for the rest of the drive was great and just thinking about the kismet of this happenstance is still incomprehensible.

While there is no official map of all the Starbucks Clover locations, check out Starbucks Melody’s blog as she documents her visits to as many Clover locations as she can.

Update: this location is store number 69034 located in Town Center Corte Madera.

Mill Valley on Dwellable

You know it means something when patrons comment on not being panhandled for money as a positive when visiting the Meat Market. So what can you expect? Cheap ($1.50) but very tasty tacos! Cash only please.

We had three tacos – carnitas, chicken, and chorizo. These were all in small corn tortillas with the protein chopped and prepped when ordered. Each taco had some zing to it but surprisingly, the chicken taco was the spiciest.

Washed all this down with some grapefruit soda.

Outside seating is available for eating but just a warning that you probably will be approached by panhandlers so takeout is highly recommended.

I saw quite a few different Doritos flavors which seem targeted at the local demographic, so I doubt they’ll hit the islands. Canned coffee and espresso drinks are back to Trader Joe’s. I remember Trader Joes’s used to have these canned drinks, but in recent years, I hadn’t seen them. They’re back now. I was told La Creme natural creamer was already available in Hawaii (and has an unusual taste) after I purchased a bottle. Yes, for a natural diary creamer, my expectation of La Creme didn’t match up. Maybe I’m just used to fake, artificial non-diary creamers.

1. Mac App Store
   • Twitter
   • Sparrow Lite
2. Microsoft Office
3. Adium
4. Software Update
   • iTunes
   • AirPort Utility
5. Adobe Flash Player
6. WordPress Plugins

I tried the Original Irish Cream and thought it was okay. Baileys has a creamier consistency compared to Coffee-mate and International Delight, but nothing really set it apart.

Interestingly, the Baileys Creamers web site features an iPhone app called Coffee! The app costs $2.99 and displays various pictures of coffee (not associated with Baileys). Hmmm, I’ll pass on the app and will pass on any more Baileys creamer.

I submitted these pics to the Lost Ladybug Project to help with their data collection and analysis.

Maybe that’s a difference between Asians and a Norse god.

Like the look of this faucet. Matte, brushed nickel finish is clean and doesn’t show waterspots. Nice height to easily move dishes underneath. Curvy and smooth, but…

The height has a bigger disadvantage of splashing water. Since the water falls from higher up, the stream of water hitting dishes is forceful and splatters all over. The handle on the side isn’t so easy to adjust the force of the water.  I don’t have the feel for getting the water pressure just right. It’s either too much or too little. It is easy to change the temperature of the water though.

Must look up Hansgrohe brand.  Product feels solidly made.

Alas, a rainbow is technically seen opposite the sun. So this picture can’t be a rainbow, just a refraction of light. Oh the sadness.

I got the Vanilla Latte, and for my tastes, it’s just okay. Nothing memorable, but a very drinkable drink. Not too sweet, not too bitter. Just the right amount of vanilla flavor to go with the coffee.

Found this at Vons, so in Hawaii, go look at Safeway.

On the menu, you can find typical American comfort food along with the Dam Specials and some other oddities. For the best of the menu, check out the Dam Diner’s reviews on Yelp.

I had to try their namesakes, the Dam Burger with curly fries and a chocolate shake. The burger tasted fresh, the curly fries were like any other curly fries, and the shake was good and even better since they gave all the extra shake.

If you happen to be in the Friant area, you must eat at the Dam Diner. Just overlook the misspelling of “Fraint.”

More Dam pictures.