Scenic Outing

SCENIC OUTING - Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - New Years Eve.
We shove off on our drive at 1:15, with Tony driving the Quail Creek Mini-bus, and Kelly in the co-pilot’s seat.. There are five of us free-loaders in the back. The weather is cool - probably 45 degrees. The high fog has been hanging in all day - but visibility is still good.
We head out on Paradise Valley, with a right turn on Dickson Hill. At the intersection with North Texas Street, I noticed The Shell station ahead of us. I asked Tony if he could read the price of gas on their sign. He said that “it was $1.77 a gallon, but up the street, Arco had it for $1.71.” The spot price for crude oil today is around $35 a barrel.
On the overpass above I-80, I can see heavy traffic flowing in both directions This is not unusual because it is New Year’s Eve. As we make a left turn onto Hilborn, the sun is peeping through the overcast. We make a right on to Waterman Boulevard, and continue South past the entrance to the Rancho Solano community. This whole valley is a very scenic area - even on a gloomy day. This is my favorite local area. We pass young grape vineyards. I didn’t see grape vines - I had a vision of dollars - beaucoup dollars! Waterman runs into Mankas Corner Road, beyond Rancho Solano. At the intersection with Abernathy Road, Tony turns right on a continuation of Mankas Corner Road. Black cattle are grazing in the hilly area. Sure a peaceful area.
Tony turns right onto Gordon Valley Road at Mankas Corner. We pass the Vintage Café` on the corner. Mary and Greg treated us to lunch there recently. I recommend it. We pass more young vineyards. Except for the hills, there is not much open area in the area. I can see many beehives in the field off to my left. We are on a winding road now - following the creek. It is such a peaceful area. If one wants to get some peace and quiet, they have to drive only a few miles back here. It is hard to believe that large metro areas are so close.
We are passing a huge brown and white bull resting, out the right window. This is his territory. He has the whole field to himself. He looks quite contented as he checks us out as we pass. A long white rail fence runs along the road to our left. It fences in a large estate/winery, and beautiful-old oak trees.
There is low fog now as we move along Gordon Way to Wooden Valley Road. We turn left. I see more young vineyards on both sides. Except for Gallo down in the San Joachin Valley, I thought most of the local vineyards were in the Napa Valley. Not so! This is more high-value real estate.
The road is curvy but still very scenic. We are still riding along side of a creek. Except for all the vineyards, I would guess that this area hasn’t changed much in a 100 years. Now we are passing a unique and distinctive rock wall. A huge bird is gliding in a circle overhead.
We are now riding along Suisun Valley Road. A few cars are parked in each of the vineyards that we pass. They belong to the people working among the vines on New Years Eve. Anyone, who might be sleeping on the bus, is suddenly awakened by the roar of the engines, from twelve bikes as they all accelerate, to pass us as a group. We are passing Larry’s Produce market on the left. It is closed. A little farther - still out the left side, is a large goat farm. They are feasting on a huge pile of oranges! (it sure beats tin cans).
We are passing another large winery/estate. Historic Rockville Cemetery is on the right side, with its very old and distinctive chapel. We make a left turn on to Rockville Road. We are on the home stretch. There is still a lot area which is sparsely populated. We pass an old country school house on the right. It is still in use.
There is a large winery on Gordon Road to the left. We make a right turn on to Mankas Corner Road and retrace our route along Waterman Boulevard. We pass over I-80 on to Air Base Parkway. At the intersection with Dover Avenue, we are sitting in the left-hand turn pocket, waiting for the green arrow. Out the front windshield I can see a huge flock of large birds circling. Tony tells us that area is home to turkey vultures!
We pull up at the Quail Creek entrance at 2:25 PM after a great commune with nature. It really perked up a gloomy day!
Ray L’Amoreaux
1/6/09.