Wednesday Sojourn - June 18, 2008.
We push off from Quail Creek at 12:05 pm, headed for the Monticello Winery in the beautiful Napa Valley. Aboard are our esteemed driver, Tony, and his co-pilot, and our Hostess, Kelli. Also, there are six residents belted-in the rear of the coach - plus a motorized wheel chair, walkers and a large - wheeled -picnic ice chest.
We enter I-80 Westbound. I know that it is I-80 because of the bumpy ride - even though Tony has moved over two lanes to the left and selected the No. 2 lane - the smoothest. This freeway has been scheduled for resurfacing for as long as I can remember. Apparently, the Solano Transportation Authority and Cal Trans have agreed on a plan, and the repair work has been scheduled.
I notice a truck sitting in the emergency lane. I assume that he is having a mechanical problem - but again, he may be inspecting his load prior to entering the Truck Scales, in Cordelia, up ahead. The vibrations feel familiar, as I was riding on the same stretch yesterday - to and from Kaiser in Vallejo.
I see two white horses, keeping each other company, grazing in the noon- day sun. Next I notice a herd of black cattle descending down the path on a golden-brown hillside. I couldn’t help but wonder how they choose their leader. And, how does the leader make the decision to move on to more fertile grazing - and where?
Now, we are traveling through Jamison Canyon westbound on Highway 12. This road has a treacherous history of fatal auto accidents. They have started a widening project, with all the earth moving -equipment parked nearby. Surprised to see many new vineyards along the way. We pass the entrance to the Chardonnay golf course on our left. We make a right turn at the traffic signal and are now heading northbound on Highway 29 - between Vallejo and Napa. A Lafitte cork facility on the right. I probably noticed this because the Lafitte family is one of the French Huguenot families that were affiliated with my French ancestors back in 1685.
I notice a roadside sign that sys that employees of Genova Deli in Napa are providing clean-up for this stretch of Highway 29. If their cleanup matches the quality of their deli, it will be most satisfactory. I see many TV antennae dishes down in the flats below the freeway. Next, I notice some new housing along the highway, in the area of the Senior Housing - Atrium, that I had never seen before. This section of highway has deteriorated quite a bit since I last traveled it. The makers of this mini-bus could use both I-80, and highway 29, as proving grounds to test the road ability of their busses. A big improvement at the Trancas and Highway 29 intersection, for through traffic. No more sitting for long periods waiting for the traffic signal to cycle at this intersection.
Tony turns off Highway 29 on to Eastbound Oak Knoll. A short drive over to Big Ranch Road. This area brings back many pleasant memories of when we used to drive to the area and cut down our “living” Christmas trees. Each of our five daughters would pick out their favorite shaped-tree, and stand by it, until the family could vote on which one we should cut down. This was one of my favorite family outings, and I always looked forward to this event.
A pretty drive along Oak Knoll Avenue - healthy looking vineyards on both sides of the road. I can see Atlas Peak in the distance as we turn right on to Big Ranch Road. Very majestic standing there. It monopolizes the panorama as does Mt. Diablo to the south. A short drive and Tony makes a left turn into the Monticello Winery parking lot. We off-load about 12:55 pm.
We settled on a picnic table in a shady-grass covered area, and plunked down on two of the benches. It wasn’t long before a large (overweight) black male lab came lumbering up the walk, to check us out. He must have sensed (or smelled) the ingredients in the ice chest. He patiently laid there until we started eating. Then, he got up looking for his “serving”. When there was no more offerings, he left us, patrolling other parts of the property. While it was a warm afternoon, there was a pleasant little breeze blowing through the olive trees. It reminded me of the trade wind in Hawaii.
Kelli “packed” a very nice lunch - wrap sandwiches, potato salad, delicious fresh strawberries and seedless purple grapes, and brownie cupcakes for dessert.
After lunch, we turned our attention to wine tasting. The tasting fee was $15 per person! While this dates me, I can remember when wine tasting (and occasionally hors doevres) were free! So Kelli suggested that we all chip in and buy a bottle of wine and split the cost, and price, of the wine - which we did. This was a good idea. While we got to taste only a single wine, the $3.50 price was right. Kelli poured the Corley Family Chardonnay into our empty 8 ounce water bottles. After a short toast, we “tasted”. The small bottles had an attractive shape. Tony mentioned that they looked like an inverted wine glass - which they did. He said that we could cut out the bottoms of the bottles and have a wine glass. This was a good idea, but it would have delayed our sipping.
There was a building on the property, modeling President Jefferson’s home in Monticello, Virginia. Marie and I had visited his home, so I walked up to the tasting room in hopes that they had a gift shop with a post card of this replica. They did not, and I was disappointed.
“All aboard” at 3:15, and we are off on our return leg. Lots of truck traffic through Jamison Canyon, but Tony made good time. The travel time - 50 minutes - was the same each way! Very interesting. We arrived back at Quail Creek at 4:05pm. - tired but refreshed.
Ray L’Amoreaux
June 21, 2008.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Scenic Drive
Wednesday Scenic Drive.
It is Wednesday, June 4, 2003. The time is about 1030 Pacific. Tony, hit’s the accelerator of our Quail Creek shuttle bus. Tony is our “Wagon master”, and Kelli is our “Hostess“, and riding “shotgun. Nine residents are off on our “Scenic Tour”.
We head out the gate and proceed to Air Base Parkway. A left turn and proceed down to Walter Road. We turn right and head for Highway 12. Left on 12 and drive by Suisun. This used to be a “killer” highway, similar to Highway 37. Thoughtless drivers would pass on blind curves and hills, causing many accidents most were head-on “fatals”. Widening the strip between Fairfield and Rio Vista was not feasible, so they decided to put a concrete barrier down the center of the road. Today is the first time that I have seen this improvement.
We pass a wind farm. The props are barely rotating as it is a pretty calm morning - but, I guess that any action is a gernerating plus. I can see a lone -large plane, off to our right. It appears to be flying so slow that it seems like it must be in a “stall”. I can only presume that they are training the pilots, by making “touch and go” landings.
The large fields on both sides are “golden”. I would like to think that it is wheat. But, it probably is just wild grass. My right window frames the majestic Mt. Diablo, about 20 miles to the south. Now, we are seeing quite a few cattle having their breakfast/brunch? This afternoon, they will be looking for shade, but I don’t see a tree around Another picturesque scene - a lone donkey standing guard in the center of a herd of sheep. What a picture this would make - but we must speed on. Then, another scene - that would make a good picture - a stand-alone barn in the middle of no place! I can’t help but wonder who owns all this land we are passing? If I were asked to make a guess, I would say the State of California.
Tony hangs a left from #12 on to highway 113, and we head north towards Dixon. I blinked my eyes and didn’t see Elmira. While I have heard of it, I don’t recall having seen it. This section is a bumpy ride! The tire, shocks and front-end alignment people will be happy! I kept thinking, I hope that there is no one aboard having trouble with hemorrhoids. The view on either side is an interesting contrast in color. On the left side, were irrigated-green fields. I assumed that they were tomatoes, because Dixon processes a lot of them. On the right side, the fields were golden - what a distinct contrast. I hope that I was looking at wheat or alfalfa. But, being a gentleman farmer, I wasn’t sure. It was probably un-irrigated grassland. (An aside). After I returned, it bothered me to realize that I couldn’t positively identify the crops in the two areas. So, I called the Dixon City Hall, in hopes that they could help me. The lady, who answered the phone, didn’t have the foggiest idea. So, I called the Dixon Tribune. I asked the lady my same question, and she didn‘t know either! She told me that “I don’t get out there very often!”. So, I left it at that - not realizing that Dixon was so provincial.)
We passed the Dixon May Fair grounds. I remember going there, a few years back, to their May Fair. We moved from Vallejo to Fairfield, recently. For many years, a year doesn’t go by, when the Solano County Fair Board and the City of Vallejo, don’t talk about moving the Solano County Fair up-county. Their justification is that the property is too valuable to be used as a fairgrounds for only two weeks out of the year. The only catch, is that the deed reads that if the acreage is no longer used for the County Fair, the title would pass from Vallejo back to the county of Solano.
I remember the Dixon area for all their sheep. But now, it seems that there are fewer sheep and more cattle. Into Vacaville along a scenic route. I didn’t realize that there were so many upscale places in the Vacaville area - a very enticing setting. I would be concerned about grass fires, but that is the pessimist in me. Back on I-80 heading for downtown Vacaville. Could see the 505 cut-off with the Kaiser and Genetech complexes anchoring the area.
We stopped at the Yen King restaurant in Vacaville - on the other corner from the Nugget restaurant facility. I had a nice orange- chicken lunch. We rode through very nice residential area, and then onto the frontage road paralleling I-80, and home. Nearing the gate, Tony braked as we came around a curve, - to slow down and let a mother quail and her chicks waddle across the street in orderly -single file.- a reminder of what suggested the name of our Quail Creek Assisted -Living facility.
RCL - 6/10/08.
It is Wednesday, June 4, 2003. The time is about 1030 Pacific. Tony, hit’s the accelerator of our Quail Creek shuttle bus. Tony is our “Wagon master”, and Kelli is our “Hostess“, and riding “shotgun. Nine residents are off on our “Scenic Tour”.
We head out the gate and proceed to Air Base Parkway. A left turn and proceed down to Walter Road. We turn right and head for Highway 12. Left on 12 and drive by Suisun. This used to be a “killer” highway, similar to Highway 37. Thoughtless drivers would pass on blind curves and hills, causing many accidents most were head-on “fatals”. Widening the strip between Fairfield and Rio Vista was not feasible, so they decided to put a concrete barrier down the center of the road. Today is the first time that I have seen this improvement.
We pass a wind farm. The props are barely rotating as it is a pretty calm morning - but, I guess that any action is a gernerating plus. I can see a lone -large plane, off to our right. It appears to be flying so slow that it seems like it must be in a “stall”. I can only presume that they are training the pilots, by making “touch and go” landings.
The large fields on both sides are “golden”. I would like to think that it is wheat. But, it probably is just wild grass. My right window frames the majestic Mt. Diablo, about 20 miles to the south. Now, we are seeing quite a few cattle having their breakfast/brunch? This afternoon, they will be looking for shade, but I don’t see a tree around Another picturesque scene - a lone donkey standing guard in the center of a herd of sheep. What a picture this would make - but we must speed on. Then, another scene - that would make a good picture - a stand-alone barn in the middle of no place! I can’t help but wonder who owns all this land we are passing? If I were asked to make a guess, I would say the State of California.
Tony hangs a left from #12 on to highway 113, and we head north towards Dixon. I blinked my eyes and didn’t see Elmira. While I have heard of it, I don’t recall having seen it. This section is a bumpy ride! The tire, shocks and front-end alignment people will be happy! I kept thinking, I hope that there is no one aboard having trouble with hemorrhoids. The view on either side is an interesting contrast in color. On the left side, were irrigated-green fields. I assumed that they were tomatoes, because Dixon processes a lot of them. On the right side, the fields were golden - what a distinct contrast. I hope that I was looking at wheat or alfalfa. But, being a gentleman farmer, I wasn’t sure. It was probably un-irrigated grassland. (An aside). After I returned, it bothered me to realize that I couldn’t positively identify the crops in the two areas. So, I called the Dixon City Hall, in hopes that they could help me. The lady, who answered the phone, didn’t have the foggiest idea. So, I called the Dixon Tribune. I asked the lady my same question, and she didn‘t know either! She told me that “I don’t get out there very often!”. So, I left it at that - not realizing that Dixon was so provincial.)
We passed the Dixon May Fair grounds. I remember going there, a few years back, to their May Fair. We moved from Vallejo to Fairfield, recently. For many years, a year doesn’t go by, when the Solano County Fair Board and the City of Vallejo, don’t talk about moving the Solano County Fair up-county. Their justification is that the property is too valuable to be used as a fairgrounds for only two weeks out of the year. The only catch, is that the deed reads that if the acreage is no longer used for the County Fair, the title would pass from Vallejo back to the county of Solano.
I remember the Dixon area for all their sheep. But now, it seems that there are fewer sheep and more cattle. Into Vacaville along a scenic route. I didn’t realize that there were so many upscale places in the Vacaville area - a very enticing setting. I would be concerned about grass fires, but that is the pessimist in me. Back on I-80 heading for downtown Vacaville. Could see the 505 cut-off with the Kaiser and Genetech complexes anchoring the area.
We stopped at the Yen King restaurant in Vacaville - on the other corner from the Nugget restaurant facility. I had a nice orange- chicken lunch. We rode through very nice residential area, and then onto the frontage road paralleling I-80, and home. Nearing the gate, Tony braked as we came around a curve, - to slow down and let a mother quail and her chicks waddle across the street in orderly -single file.- a reminder of what suggested the name of our Quail Creek Assisted -Living facility.
RCL - 6/10/08.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
A SIGH OF RELIEF!
A SIGH OF RELIEF!
I sweated out last week! All my Kaiser- medical support people were on vacation. Dr. Alexander Reynoso, my primary care physician, was gone, as were my cardiologist, Dr. David Williams and Farshid Laghaei, my Heart- Case Manager.
I will have to ask Dr. Reynoso about how he spent his vacation. Farshid told me that Dr. Williams, and he, were going to hike between the North and South rims of the Grand Canyon. While the hiking doesn’t seem like a vacation to me, the two of them are experienced runners and hikers. (This is probably why I have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, with atrial fibrillation.) Farshid called me, after his return, He said their “walk” took them 13 hours - a very respectful time indeed.
It is good to have all of them back. I certainly don’t begrudge their recreating, but it is comforting to have my peace of mind once again.
I sweated out last week! All my Kaiser- medical support people were on vacation. Dr. Alexander Reynoso, my primary care physician, was gone, as were my cardiologist, Dr. David Williams and Farshid Laghaei, my Heart- Case Manager.
I will have to ask Dr. Reynoso about how he spent his vacation. Farshid told me that Dr. Williams, and he, were going to hike between the North and South rims of the Grand Canyon. While the hiking doesn’t seem like a vacation to me, the two of them are experienced runners and hikers. (This is probably why I have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, with atrial fibrillation.) Farshid called me, after his return, He said their “walk” took them 13 hours - a very respectful time indeed.
It is good to have all of them back. I certainly don’t begrudge their recreating, but it is comforting to have my peace of mind once again.
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