An Adventure in Sonoma

My sister Mary and I decided we deserved a small vacation. Mary hasn’t traveled all that much in her life, so she considers anything beyond 30 miles a first-rate getaway. I decided it would be fun to go to Sonoma for a day of shopping, which then extended into a two day affair as my son lives in Sebastopol and if you can’t use your children and their fine home for a free night of food and lodging, well, I’d say you raised the wrong children.

In my quest for the perfect weekend adventure, I created a binder complete with directions to some possible fun places to visit. I’m very organized when it comes to adventures as I tend to want to pack in as much fun as I can.

I downloaded a Sherlock Holmes mystery and an Agatha Christie Miss Marples mystery to my iPod. I like to make sure we are prepared for any eventuality, one of which would be the need to listen to a good murder mystery in case we were stuck in traffic somewhere.

Let me begin this travel odyssey by saying the weather this past week-end was what you might imagine for California and the wine country. Perfect!

We drove to Yountville as our first stop and found some wonderful clothing stores with very unique and very pricey clothing. We had lunch at Pacific Blues Café and sat at a table on the outside porch overlooking the mountains and complimented ourselves on having such an excellent vacation. It was fit for two chicks on the lam from their daily responsibilities of life! We were almost a Thelma and Louise, except we had no intention of driving off a cliff.

We then drove to Healdsburg where we discovered they were having a big event for their 150 year anniversary. It was fairly warm (read hot) and we only found one shop that had some clothing we found interesting. I found a necklace I liked, but the $250 price tag made it far less appealing than I had originally thought. Everyone had a glass of wine in their hand…naturally since it is the wine country. If you love wine, you will find these art/wine festivals a dream come true. If wine isn’t of interest, you’ll find these festivals something like one big outdoor bar. It’s oddly interesting.

We had paused on a street corner where a sweet shop was handing out chocolate bars. Never one to be shy in taking free candy, I grabbed that chocolate delight but quick. We went back to the car where I started up the air conditioning, unwrapped the chocolate, and took a quick bite…it was slightly on the soft and melting side, so I thought I should eat as much of it as I could before it became chocolate soup, which although wouldn’t be bad, would be horribly difficult to eat and would display bad manners to just lick it off the wrapping. And besides, I didn’t have any handiwipes with me.

We tried finding the local Indian casino, being two women who are fond of putting coins in the slot machines, but only managed to find the corporate offices. Not really the same at all for our purposes. I then found a place, quite by accident, called The Gardner. The sign for the store was located in a slightly difficult place to see when driving by, which made turning in time for the driveway a little on the chance-y side. I managed to turn into “a” driveway, which didn’t lead to the garden center at all, and in fact, I couldn’t actually see any other cars parked at the garden center, so decided it wasn’t worth the work to backtrack and find my way into the correct driveway. Mary and I are prone to quick decisions when it comes to stopping at stores. The store has to be quite appealing before we consider any minor hassle getting to it as a worthwhile endeavor.

We then decided to go to Guerneville, so got on the freeway and took the Guerneville exit and drove. And drove. And drove some more. Lots of countryside and wineries, but no signs for our destination. And we drove. Sheesh. We finally came to a sign which said Sebastopol one way and Guerneville straight ahead. We weren’t sure that we should continue on our quest, since goodness only knows how many more hours it would take us. We were probably right around the bend from the town, but being cautious vacationers, we decided to go directly to my son’s house. He and his partner David had, after all, stayed home in order to take us to dinner.

We went to a nice restaurant called The Bistro, which is owned and run by the chef and his wife. The food was quite good and we were even lucky enough to have the chef come out and talk with us.

Back at the house, we were lucky enough to witness two shooting stars. Jonathan brought out his telescope and gave us a mini-lesson in astronomy. We even saw a satellite zooming across the sky! I hadn’t realized they go so fast. I feel pretty “astro physicist” now…in a very small sort of ignorant way. The night sky was humbling. You don’t get to see such an awe inspiring sight when you live in the city. We obliterate such beauty with our lights. But in the country…oh my. The vastness of the space and the diamond chest of stars make you want to learn more. And buy a telescope!

Now if you think this was the end of the evening’s entertainment, you’d be kidding yourself. My son’s partner, David, is a world-class organist. I mean that both complimentary and factually. He has played all over the world and knows the organists in many of the large churches. I wish I knew people. I live vicariously through Jonathan and David. They know lots of interesting people.

I really do have to get out more.

They have a room in their house that is devoted to a newly rebuilt organ…with a lot of pipes! It reminds me of a mini-chapel. I wonder if it sounds spooky at night when he’s playing…like the Phantom of the Opera. We were treated to a mini-concert, which was quite an honor. Thanks David!

On Sunday we drove to Tiberon where the sailboats were out in full force. Tiburon, like any California area that has a great view and hills, has homes dug into the hillside and squeezed closely together. Land is gold when it comes to those spectacular views! You will find bike riders galore, lots of people with their dogs, and fragrant aromas of good food from the restaurants. Bring your camera and your appetite. Dogs and bikes are optional.

Mary and I have decided that a quarterly vacation is in order. We forget how near we are to so many unique areas. We also forget that taking time out just to look at the beauty of nature around us is imperative to our mental health.

I thought about visiting Jonathan and David every week, which could turn into a demand for a “Mom’s quarters”. He said the gate code that you have to punch to get into his area has changed and he can’t seem to find the new number. I think that sounds very fishy. Won’t he be surprised when the moving van pulls up with a “few” of my personal belongings!

An Adventure to Remember

Last summer I started looking at homes for sale in the country. My husband and I think we would make great retired country squires. Actually, I won’t be able to retire until I’m about 80, so I’m beginning to suspect that country living would be folly for me to consider at that age. It doesn’t deter me in the least from dreaming about it and making up lovely stories of how my life would be if I lived in the country (minus the snakes and other creepy critters, which although they abound in the country…they will abound in someone else’s yard).

I love adventures into the unknown. I found a subdivision of modular homes in Somerset and thought, given the low price, it would be fun to visit. I even called a realtor and set up an appointment. I’m excited. I got my sister excited. Even my husband seemed excited to look at something semi-affordable in California. And from the looks of the photos on the website, it would be just the type of living we have been dreaming about!

My sister Mary stayed overnight so we could get an early start. We happily, merrily, gaily set off for Placerville. I checked the weather on Yahoo…only 99 degrees. No problem. We've got air conditioning after all. La la la we all muse, what happy little wanderers we are. We'll check out some of the area. Who knows what sights we might catch?

La la la won't this be fun. Somerset. What a beautiful name.

We zoomed along and hit Folsom. Good heavens. They've razed the area of all vegetation and built homes. Lots of homes. A mini overly-congested Bay Area…with heat. 103 degree heat inching towards 104. Interesting. The air conditioner … has fainted. Seems extreme heat puts the air conditioner into a snit. Fine. Who needs ya anyway? I brought cold water and cold packs in a cooler. I prepare for any situation when I set out on my adventures.

La la la. We get to Placerville. 105 degrees and inching higher. My la's were a little on the droopy side.

Turned south on highway 49. What an adventure we're having! We're headed toward country life and relaxed fresh air living.

Road gets windy. Road stays windy. Only more so. Round and round we go. One of us is very quiet now. Did I tell you my sister gets car sick? Perhaps I forgot to mention that in my excitement over this epic tale of a great adventure.

"Uh Mary?" She sounds a little…weak. Like the air conditioner. Uh oh. “Mary”, I say. “You okay?” “Not really”, she says faintly, anti-carsick wrist bands notwithstanding.

We pulled over and I switched places with her. She got one of the cold packs and puts it on her head.

Oh la. Look at the fun we're having now.

Only 10 more miles of switchbacks to go.

It's 106 degrees.

But I've got Mary's yummy bag of cookies in the backseat. I always seem to wind up near the food. I have good karma.

I have no more La la's in me now. 106 degree heat and no air conditioning sucked them right out of me. And I think my husband and Mary said something about "stuff a cookie in it" when I tried to sing the praises of the country landscape.

We finally get to the subdivision. Mary slides out of the car. Looks a little bent and weak as though she can't stand up straight. I don't think that's a look of recovery.

Outside of the house looks pretty good. Realtor was there and we went inside. Hmmm. Moderately okay. Too bad the air conditioning wasn't working in the house. What is it with heat and air conditioners??

Mary still looks bent and weak. Sits on a stool and puts her head down. I dawdle as long as I possibly can to give her time to recover. But Lord that house is hot inside!

I wonder if we have to go back on the same road. That could be a big problem.

I hate this house and the area now. I think it killed Mary. I'm pretty sure my family will blame me.

We drive around the subdivision just to take a little look. Uh no. Not at all what I had expected. Not at all a place where I'd want to live…or die. And it's miles and miles...and windy miles before you can get to a darn grocery store. Know what I mean??

Somerset. What a lousy name.

The kindly realtor gave us a different (straighter) way to drive to get out. Whew. Only mildly curvy…which is only mildly better for Mary.

It’s still 106 degrees. I guess that's good for the vineyards that are all through this valley. But still bad for the darned air conditioner. Did I mention that?

We stopped in Plymouth, hoping for a nice little restaurant and a bathroom. Restaurant for Sid who is getting on the peckish side, and the bathroom for Mary who can only sit with her head down and mumble incoherently about the dangers of following me on my adventures.

The suggestion to go to the pizza restaurant only made her roll her eyes heavenward. I think she might have asked God to smite me down.

There are no more restaurants in town. But there is a public bathroom. A brick thing with bars at the top. Interesting how they turned an old jail into a bathroom…that doesn't have toilet paper.

And it's still 106 degrees.

After doing our duty, we sat down on big rocks that lined the outside of the jail/toilet. Hung our heads and talked about how much we hated the country and modular homes. And heat and small crappy towns. And names like Somerset, Placerville, Folsom and Plymouth.

The town of Plymouth is bereft of any charm, beauty, or good living. I think the jailhouse/toilet sans paper should say it all.

And it's 106 degrees.

We pile/slink/dribble back to the car and head for Jackson. I don't recall there being any real good restaurants there, but food is food I guess. And Mary just wants someplace cool to sit. Still. Very still. No movement, no curves, no roundabouts. Just quiet, motionless, cool sitting.

Oh la, it's just 104 degrees now.

Fortunately, we hit Sutter's Creek first. They have at least one decent restaurant that Sid and I have eaten at before. Whew.

We had a leisurely lunch, asked the waiter about a "straight" way to go home. Mary drank 7-up and ate little salted crackers. Slowly. Sid and I had sandwiches. We also ate very slowly to give everyone time to cool off and Mary time to get her stomach in driving order. We agreed again that we hate the area and its killer roads and killer weather. It's unanimous then. We have the grateful outlook of survivors after a major disaster.

We found a better way to get home so as not to upset fragile Mary any further.

It's hovering between 103 and 104.

A major traffic jam has my husband saying some foul words. I hope they don't blame me for the adventure gone wrong.

I've still got the cookies in the back seat.

At 102 degrees, the air conditioner starts to work again. See how happy we are for small things? My La la's have returned, Mary's hungry and the traffic starts to move.

My adventure made everyone grateful to be home in 80 degree weather.

See how good I am at putting life into perspective for everyone?