Susan Valot
@susanvalot.bsky.social
Public radio reporter. Podcast producer/host (Quanta magazine). Professor. Hockey player. Globe trekker. Hiker. Work has been heard on KCRW, NPR's "Only A Game," KPCC. I’m also a freelance audio editor for podcasts. www.susanvalot.com
I’m ready for the upcoming year! :)
December 2, 2025 at 5:12 AM
I’m ready for the upcoming year! :)
Tuzigoot National Monument in Arizona. This was a “village” of Native Americans, but more like apartments, going back to something like 1100AD. They were farmers and hunter-gatherers. About 250 people lived in this complex, with a family in each tiny room. Hard to imagine life at that point in time.
December 1, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Tuzigoot National Monument in Arizona. This was a “village” of Native Americans, but more like apartments, going back to something like 1100AD. They were farmers and hunter-gatherers. About 250 people lived in this complex, with a family in each tiny room. Hard to imagine life at that point in time.
Six-mile loop to Devil’s Bridge with my cousin. We picked up a lot of trash, but beautiful views.
November 30, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Six-mile loop to Devil’s Bridge with my cousin. We picked up a lot of trash, but beautiful views.
From the neighbor’s deck, where we went to a “bring your leftovers” gathering. Sedona, AZ.
November 30, 2025 at 5:25 AM
From the neighbor’s deck, where we went to a “bring your leftovers” gathering. Sedona, AZ.
Not a bad view for getting some grading done.
November 28, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Not a bad view for getting some grading done.
My car’s first road trip! Making a stop. Only about an hour to go.
November 27, 2025 at 12:56 AM
My car’s first road trip! Making a stop. Only about an hour to go.
Finally have another photo of me playing on the USC women’s hockey team. (Alumni and staff can play, so it’s about half students and half alumni/staff.) I think this is from our Friday night game when we got pummeled. Note to self: Bend knees more.
November 24, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Finally have another photo of me playing on the USC women’s hockey team. (Alumni and staff can play, so it’s about half students and half alumni/staff.) I think this is from our Friday night game when we got pummeled. Note to self: Bend knees more.
Caught the sunset on McBride Trail (again) today. Sunset is the best time of day. The Palos Verdes reserve trails are still closed due to mud and movement. Wished they were open because I could really use longer hikes these days for my mental health. They’re great thinking places.
November 24, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Caught the sunset on McBride Trail (again) today. Sunset is the best time of day. The Palos Verdes reserve trails are still closed due to mud and movement. Wished they were open because I could really use longer hikes these days for my mental health. They’re great thinking places.
Everything is so green and pretty. Had to do the non-muddy ridge trail in Palos Verdes, which was open. Feels like you can reach out and touch Catalina. I’m not sure their trail closed sign is super effective for people who might just walk around it.
November 23, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Everything is so green and pretty. Had to do the non-muddy ridge trail in Palos Verdes, which was open. Feels like you can reach out and touch Catalina. I’m not sure their trail closed sign is super effective for people who might just walk around it.
Played two periods of the USC game then took off my skates and I am heading to game number two of the evening to play with my team, the Darkside. It’s never a good thing when I am among your top skaters on the ice as a mid-level player. When I left the USC game, we were down 7-0. 😬
November 22, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Played two periods of the USC game then took off my skates and I am heading to game number two of the evening to play with my team, the Darkside. It’s never a good thing when I am among your top skaters on the ice as a mid-level player. When I left the USC game, we were down 7-0. 😬
Made it back home to rainy LAX. Time to try to adjust to the time zone.
November 18, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Made it back home to rainy LAX. Time to try to adjust to the time zone.
Random Tokyo stuff. We rode the women’s car, but because it was a weekend, it was just a regular car. Random bench on a corner. Funny store name.
November 17, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Random Tokyo stuff. We rode the women’s car, but because it was a weekend, it was just a regular car. Random bench on a corner. Funny store name.
Last of fall leaves before heading home.
November 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Last of fall leaves before heading home.
One last afternoon in Tokyo. Surprisingly warm out.
November 17, 2025 at 6:04 AM
One last afternoon in Tokyo. Surprisingly warm out.
My friend wanted to just pick a place to eat as we walked by, so we had a mediocre last-night-in-Tokyo dinner and then as we were leaving, saw a roach on the wall. Blech!!! So I followed that up with shiatsu by my favorite Tokyo shiatsu guy, who remembered me from last year. Then the onsen! :)
November 16, 2025 at 1:43 PM
My friend wanted to just pick a place to eat as we walked by, so we had a mediocre last-night-in-Tokyo dinner and then as we were leaving, saw a roach on the wall. Blech!!! So I followed that up with shiatsu by my favorite Tokyo shiatsu guy, who remembered me from last year. Then the onsen! :)
So many Christmas things in Japan. Didn’t expect that.
November 16, 2025 at 7:35 AM
So many Christmas things in Japan. Didn’t expect that.
Hello, Tokyo (Ueno).
November 16, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Hello, Tokyo (Ueno).
So long, Sendai. After a ticket snafu that made us miss our intended bullet train, we’re on our way back to Tokyo. No luck with getting stuck in Japan. Trip was too short. :(
November 16, 2025 at 3:52 AM
So long, Sendai. After a ticket snafu that made us miss our intended bullet train, we’re on our way back to Tokyo. No luck with getting stuck in Japan. Trip was too short. :(
I can do ice skates, but I’d break my neck with these.
November 16, 2025 at 2:43 AM
I can do ice skates, but I’d break my neck with these.
In Matsushima, they have the evacuation route markers lit up at night. Super interesting.
November 15, 2025 at 11:43 AM
In Matsushima, they have the evacuation route markers lit up at night. Super interesting.
And this was the pond at the night illumination.
November 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
And this was the pond at the night illumination.
