The Sisters and "The Man" at the Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate
The last twelve days have been somewhat of a whirlwind so I'm a little behind on my blogging, which is something that seems to be happening more frequently these days. This one is going to cover a very special seven days. It may be a little longer than normal as I try to share a whole bunch of different adventures in words and pictures. Beth gave up her normal role of photographing our adventure. The pictures in this blog are courtesy of Cindy.
June 9..........The Adventure Begins
After spending most of the day in Yosemite National Park, Beth and I headed back towards Sonoma but with one important pick up to make along the way. Beth's two sisters (Debbie and Cindy) were making the cross country flight from Sarasota to Oakland to join us for a week. We have said numerous times to many people that getting from there (Florida) to here (California) isn't easy. It's a full day of travel that is most likely going to involve a layover/plane change somewhere. To make it even more challenging there is now that little accessory of a mask that is required. They survived the journey and arrived into Oakland around 7:00 PM excited but also exhausted from the days journey.
On the hour drive from the airport to our Airbnb there was only one minor detail that needed to be addressed. For years the three sisters and their mom (NaNa, if you're a new reader) went on one or two adventures a year. These domestic and international adventures were collectively and lovingly referred to as "The Old Lady Trips". When talking about them with NaNa these days, she smiles and says "we sure went a lot of places didn't we"? This seven day adventure needed a name and although I sometimes act like one, calling this an "Old Lady Trip" just didn't fill the bill. Besides, no one could ever take NaNa's place.
We bantered around a number of names as we crossed the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. They included; Sisters plus, The Sisters and Him, Best Week Ever, Heaven on Earth and many more. I even threw out the idea of "Why Me Lord?", which could have been interpreted a number of different ways. After some laughter and debate we settled on The Sisters and "The Man". I liked it, it gave me a sense of power and authority, which in reality I knew I didn't have. We arrived in Sonoma just as the sun was setting and all of our energy levels depleted. A good nights rest was in order, because the master planner (Beth) had put together fantastic itineraries for the next seven days.
June 10...........The Sonoma Coast
From the town of Sonoma to the coast is close to an hour and a half drive along very scenic roads through vineyards and along the Russian River. Our first destination was the coastal town of Jenner. Our plan was to work our way south towards Bodega Bay and Doran Beach where there would be a very special introduction and reintroduction of families separated by many miles.
The Sisters at the Goat Rock Beach Overlook
Enjoying the scenery and each other!
The Kortum Trail (Shell Beach to Blind Beach Section). Cindy, Beth and I walked this trail while Debbie enjoyed a more relaxing time taking pictures.
At the summit of the Kortum Trail (Shell Beach to Blind Beach)
One more from along the Kortum Trail
Enjoying Clam Chowder, Crab Sandwich and a little bit of bread at the Spud Point Crab Company!
Bodega Head
Because of the pandemic Aunt Debbie and Aunt Cindy were meeting Emma Joy for the first time!
Although they had spent time with James before, it was close to two years since they had seen him!
Sarah, MiMi and Emma Joy enjoying the surf at Doran Beach
Spud Point Crab Company
The Sonoma Coast
June 11............Exploring Sonoma and a small tasting of what it's famous for
Beth and I really enjoy the town of Sonoma, especially the Sonoma Plaza. The plaza is coming back to life after the pandemic as family and friends gather under the tall shade trees for picnics and strolling in and out of the locally owned shops and restaurants that surround it. Sarah was working in Sonoma for the day and joined us for lunch before she treated us to a wine tasting at the Larson Family Winery.
The Sisters, Sarah and "The Man" at the Larsen Family Winery
A five flight tasting......................
Cindy thought the wine was "good to the last drop"
In the vineyards at the Larsen Family Winery
We topped off the evening by introducing Debbie and Cindy to Harvey's Donuts
Sonoma
Larson Family Winery
Harvey's Mini Donuts
June 12..............Tiburon, Angel Island and a meal from a "Pitmaster"
Angel Island is a 740 island located in the San Francisco Bay that can be accessed by ferry from either Tiburon or San Francisco. From Sonoma it was much easier to take the ferry from the small town of Tiburon. We arrived early enough to enjoy a little walking around the Tiburon waterfront which offers great views (weather permitting) of Angel Island, San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Angel Island, which is now operated by the California State Parks is famous for it's rich history, first as an immigration station and later as a military base. As an immigration station, it was somewhat similar to Ellis Island in New York, but not as welcoming to those arriving. The immigrants through Angel Island were Chinese individuals and families. Family members were often separated from each other for long periods of time (months) while their applications were investigated and processed. Some of the immigration station as well as the military buildings still remain and are popular with the day visitors who walk, bike or take a guided tram tour around the island.
The Angel Island Ferry and Golden Gate Bridge (taken in Tiburon)
On board the Angel Island Tram. There is a fee for this narrated tour, but it tells much of the islands history as it makes its way around.
The layer of fog is covering Alcatraz, downtown San Francisco is in the background.
Cindy and I walked the island (a little over five miles) after the tram tour. Hopefully I didn't hold her up too much!
A couple of angels on Angel Island!
James and Emma Joy kept us entertained while Joey put the finishing touches on a wonderful meal.
Emma Joy loved her corn on the cob...........she's got the perfect teeth for it!
James showing Aunt Debbie his gem collection
We ended the day feasting on amazing pork and beef ribs at Sarah, Joey, James and Emma Joy's house. Joey is earning quite a reputation on the grill and he really outdid himself with this meal. Debbie commented numerous times that she'd be happy to move in with them if Joey was going to be cooking like this everyday.
June 13..............Wine, wine and more wine
With over 800 wineries in Sonoma and Napa Counties and several hundred more in the adjoining counties, this is without a doubt "wine country". While we left a few for future visits, we did enjoy a day of sampling wines at three distinctively different wineries. So much wine, so little time!
Starting the day with a little white wine at V. Sattui
Debbie showing us the way to the Michel-Schlumberger Tasting Salon. This tasting included a charcuterie board.
The Rued Winery included a chocolate pairing. Five wines and five types of chocolate!
V. Sattui
Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate
Rued Vineyards
June 14................We interrupt this days adventure for a little fog, wind and chill.
As I've said in previous blogs, you can't judge the day by the weather. In reality the weather really wasn't too bad. We had a great visit to Muir Woods to start the day. We then decided to skip going up to the East Peak of Mount Tam. due to the fog that had rolled in off the ocean. The fog had cleared somewhat by the time we got to Stinson Beach, but the chilly winds weren't conducive to enjoying the beach. We were able to find a beach picnic table that although it didn't have a view of the ocean, it did provide some protection from the wind. We finished the day with a drive to Point Reyes and a hike along the Tomales Point Trail (one of mine and Beth's favorite California trails). As we hiked the trail, the fog would roll in intermittently and then roll out which gave us very different views of the rocky coast line. We stopped at the Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead on the way out. Cindy did another hike, Beth and Debbie did a stroll and as for me, I took a nap in the camp chair!
Debbie and Cindy in Muir Woods
Redwoods make great trees to hide behind.
Due to the chilly wind we only got a short peek of Stinson Beach. Debbie is enjoying looking out towards the beach and trying to stay out of the wind.
We didn't have a view of the Pacific but we were protected from the chilly breeze coming off of it.
Seals sunning themselves at low tide near Stinson Beach.
Wildflowers along the foggy Tomales Point Trail.
The Tomales Point Trail passes through an elk preserve. We were fortunate to catch a large herd (30 plus) grazing beside the trail.
The fog rolls in........................
................the fog rolls out
Beth and Debbie on the Abbotts Lagoon Trail
June 15......................Into "The City" on Freedom Day
San Francisco, or "The City" as it is known to locals isn't in Marin or Sonoma County. This is where the word "mostly" in the title of this blog comes in. We took the Larkspur Ferry to the San Francisco Ferry Building and enjoyed a casual stroll along The Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf. Evidence of the impact of COVID on the city could be seen along the way and in the wharf area. Numerous restaurants and shops were closed and the crowds were significantly smaller than normal.
We were calling June 15 Freedom Day because it was the day California was going to join the rest of the United States and back off their plethora of COVID restrictions. There were fewer masks and less restrictions but old habits die hard and a lot of folks and businesses seemed to be reluctant to ease back towards "normal". Sarah, Joey, James and Emma Joy went into the city a few days later and reported that the wharf area was crowded and mostly mask free, which is a good sign. Hopefully some of the businesses that are closed will be reopening soon as the city continues it's slow recovery.
For Cindy the Larkspur Ferry was a hair raising experience!
Approaching the Ferry Terminal Building
The Magic Mirror on the sidewalk near the Exploratorium made us all look pounds lighter. We hung out there for a while admiring ourselves.
Look behind Beth on the Magic Mirror.
One of the many Sea Lions that hang out at Pier 39.
A selfie at the wharf
Heading back after a fun day in the city.
James and Debbie making cookies for the picnic
Emma Joy lending me a helping hand.
June 16..............The last full day of this seven day adventure and we figure out who's really running the show
We had checked off many of the "must see" activities and had enjoyed visiting with each other as well as with Sarah, Joey, James and Emma Joy. Other than Debbie and Cindy packing up their clothes and their Grocery Outlet bargains there was only one task left. Sarah had some home health patients to see, Joey was out of town with his youth group, James was in school and we four brave adults with over two hundred and fifty years of experience on the earth were going to be in charge of an eighteen month old!
Keep in mind that this precious child was born just before the start of the pandemic. She's spent most of her life not just in isolation but isolation California style. She's gradually adjusting to the reality that there is more to the world than just her family. Understandably it's a slow process but she's making progress. She survived, we survived and the four adults with over two hundred and fifty years of earthly experience learned who was really in charge!
That's right............I'm running the show around here!
She's like royalty............you don't go to her. She'll come to you if and when she feels like it.
June 17................Heading out
We were off to the airport before the clock struck 6:00 AM. Although I wasn't on the flight with Debbie and Cindy, I also took a flight that day. I made a one day trip back to Texas where I had the honor of attending the retirement party of one of the funniest, kindest and occasionally devious (she plans great surprise birthday parties) people that I ever had the privilege of working with.....................Congratulations Linda on your upcoming retirement, you're going to love it.
It was a fun and busy week. As for being "The Man", I appreciate the sisters letting me play that role!
