A Week In The Life: Day 6

saturday we left the bay area around 2:45 and headed to the hideaway. it was another gorgeous day so we decided to take a different route though Brentwood and Stockton so instead of the usual 2.75 hr drive, it took us a little over 5 hours of enjoying the scenery and going down the road less travelled.

The wind turbines line the road all the way into Brentwood. These are part of the Altamont Pass Wind Farm, the largest wind farm in the country.

Highway 4 is called the California Delta Highway all the way into Stockton because it follows the the San Joaquin River, which is the 2nd longest river in California and used to irrigate many of the farms in the central valley.

Pretty horse near the delta.

Getting into Stockton.

Just a few weeks ago, California's Gold, a PBS travel show that features many natural, cultural and historical sites our state, featured the "Little Manila" of Stockton. In the late 20s and early 30s, the Filipino immigrants came to Stockton to find work in the farms. I wonder if my dad ever worked in Stockton.

The program featured an beautiful old Catholic church and Jimmy and i spent about an hour trying to find this church. Unsuccessful, we gave up and decided to get back on the road to the hideaway. Just as we were about to get on the highway, I saw another tall church spire and asked if we could just check that last one. It's funny how that works, isn't it? Yes, it was the church we were looking for.

There used to be a park across the street from that church and it was the gathering spot for the Filipino community.Opposite the church on the other side of the park was where many of the Filipino immigrants called home. However in 1972 a highway was built right through the park. Many of the fiipino families were displaced and had to move to different parts of the city.

A small historic sign is the only indication of Little Manila.

Heading out of Stockton into the foothills are dozens of cattle ranches.with thousands and thousands of cows roaming the green hills.


These are the stars of the California Happy Cow commercials. LOL.



Heading higher into the foothills. Calaveras County.

Serbian Orthodox Church in Angels Camp.

Downtown Angels Camp.

Between Angels Camp and Sonora is the istoric site of Mark Twain's cabin on Jackass Hill.

Downtown Sonora, about 20 minutes from the hideaway and is the county seat of Tuolumne County.


Dinner in Sonora at Jeb's Hill Country Cookin'. Jimmy got a salmon filet and I got an 8oz prime rib. Our bill was less than $30. I'd give it a 3 1/2 stars and would certainly go back.

By 8:30, we were up at the hideaway, relaxing for the rest of the night.

Here are a few California Happy Cow commercials. Because unless you're in California, you might not be familiar with them and how clever they are.





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Sierra Foothills

A few photos from our drive through the Sierra Foothills on the way back to the Bay Area from the hideaway. The spring greens and yellows were amazing.





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No talking or texting while driving...

but what about shooting video?

I know it sounds terribly dangerous, but I really was paying attention to the road. Much more than if I were talking on my cell phone. The freeway wasn't very busy at all. I wanted to capture the cool looking sky - I couldn't...it was so much more interesting in person than on the vid. I was driving home after a 3 day visit in Southern California. When I left S.Cal, it was in the 100s. You may have noticed in the video that it was 59 degrees in Salinas, a small city on the 101 Freeway a little over an hour away from home. Salinas is the hometown of John Steinbeck.
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Almond Blossoms

In the California central valley, thousands of acres of land are dedicated to almond groves. In fact, (according to wiki) the US produces 41% of the world's almonds and almost all of it is grown in California.

We drive by the groves on the way to and from the hideaway.

They bloom between the end of February to mid-March.

We happened to catch the bloom at their peek.

A few brand new pink buds were blooming.

Each blossom will become an almond and by late summer, the trees are heavy and ready for harvest.

They smelled heavenly.

The bees were very happy.
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Happy Thanksgiving from Morro Bay

Wishing everyone a day full of thanksgiving and feasting. I am truly blessed, having amazing friends and loving family. I thank each and every one of you, my bloggy friends, for being a part of my life.

I woke up early this morning to photograph my sister-in-law's husband surfing. Now isn't that a great way to show how grateful you are to nature and the amazing place that we live in?To go out and enjoy the ocean and all that she has to offer, just after dawn on Thanksgiving morning, just seems like a surfer's bliss. I know that my BIL is very thankful.

Just look at him......looking out towards the sea, enjoying every moment of it.

Yes, I'm so very thankful to be able to spend this fall day, ocean side, with the sun shining on our faces.

(Did i convince any of you to move to California?) :D

Blessings to everyone!
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A wandering we will go

Today, as the cows wander the foothills, Jimmy and I wander south.

It's early yet, but I wish you all a wanderful weekend.
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We're "This Many"

When Danielle came to visit a few weeks ago with her daughter, she would tell everyone that she was "this many" and hold up 3 fingers. So, on the way to my birthday lunch, the 4 of us: me, Danielle, Jimmy and TG, were in the car together and I told everyone to hold up all of their fingers and that was "how many" I was. TG thought that was so funny, that was A LOT of fingers to be!
We had a great time in S. California celebrating Danielle's 40th. The weather cooperated and cooled off nicely after the sun set. She had a fun band, the most delicious birthday cake, and I saw a couple of friends from high school that I haven't seen since TG's baby shower.

On another note, I went to the foot doctor the morning we left. He took an xray that showed something suspicious between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal, and after getting a CATscan, it turns out that I have torn several ligaments and have very bad sprain. I have to wear a removable cast for the next few weeks. But now my foot hurts more than it did, in places that never hurt before. Which doesn't make me want to wear it. And since it's removable, it's easy to talk myself into taking it off. But everyone around me makes sure that I wear it. I suck at self-discipline. It all comes back to my lack of fortitude.

Despite hobbling around S. California for 2 days, we had a good time. We spent Saturday morning and afternoon with Lauree, Jimmy's sister, her husband Jim, and Eric, Jimmy's brother.
On the way home, we had dinner in Solvang.Solvang is a cute little town that was settled by a group of Danish educators in 1911. It was the first time Jimmy and I had gone to Solvang together. All the shops and bakeries were closed, but we found a little restaurant, and dined on Danish meatballs, sausage and red cabbage outside on their patio. I have to admit the atmosphere was far superior over the food, but it was great being in a part of California that we hadn't seen together.

Today, Sunday, we are relaxing at home. We intended on going to the hideaway, but with this gimpy leg of mine, I'm far to lazy to make another trip away from homebase. Not to mention that 2 1/2 more hours in the car, after 7 hours yesterday, doesn't sound very appealing. So the remaining of my Sunday will be spent either clicking a remote or clicking a mouse.

Home sweet home!
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San Juan Bautista

About a month ago, Phin and I went to San Juan Buatista for a fun day of photography. I had never been there before so it was a lot of fun exploring new territory. Such a nice relaxing day, photographing the mission, browsing though supah cool shops and eating great German food.















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