Day 69 July 26th travel to Winters:
State 13 California
We started out early so we got through construction areas ok, but the hill climb through the Sierra Nevada mountains was taxing, on me and the beast. Went down over 5000 feet after a 2000 ft. climb. Pickup truck didn’t quite make it ended up in a tree right up to the back window. The area where trucks HAD to stop and check their breaks and two runaway truck ramps. Made it to Winters, CA Canyon Creek Resort. One of the least serviced CTC ‘s so far. No sewer, $15 for the honey wagon, crappy WiFi @ $2.50 a day. Posts are on the wrong side.
Day 70 July 27th Winters:
Took a tour of the Jelly Belly factory. Then hit a couple of wineries for tasting. First one was $20 a tasting but we sweet talked our way into free tastings at Vezer Family Vineyards. She also gave us a receipt for tastings at their sister vineyard down the road. We were heading to Back road Vineyards so we stopped there. They didn’t open until 4:00, this was 2:30, but she said well I have to open them anyway so we tasted 5 of their wines, at no charge. We really felt guilty about not buying anything but at $35 US a bottle … I don’t think so. We headed to Beringer, which Carol has been drinking across the country anywhere from 2.99 to 4.50 a bottle. Well, their tasting was $40 each for 3 wines. Needless to say, we didn’t partake. The drive back to the campground was interesting, to say the least. It made the drive through the finger lakes look like a straight line Solid curves left then right for about 20 miles.
Day 71 July 28th winters :
San Francisco. Parking rates are ridiculous, $20 Hr. Or $40-$60 a day. Got lucky, a guy with truck and trailer stuck under a tree. Helped him get out and took the parking spot. Tried to get a ferry to Alcatraz but it was booked until Aug. 27th. Seriously. We walked down to Pier 39/ Fisherman’s Wharf, mostly restaurants with a few souvenir shops. Dozens of sea lions lying on the docks drew a huge crowded. Good view of Alcatraz, The Golden Gate Bridge and the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, a WWII Liberty ship. Had a seafood lunch at Chowder’s then we went to telegraph hill and coit tower, really nice view of the city and bay. Passed through Chinatown and Little Italy to see the painted ladies across from Alamo Park. A row of Houses immaculately restored and beautifully painted. Then to Haight Ashbury. Strolled there for about an hour and got shots of the Grateful Dead and Hell’s Angels houses. Saw The Bob Marley/ Jimi Hendrix house. Driving around we took many a hilly street just like in the movies. Drove to the Presidio and stopped at Lucas Studios. The lobby is closed on weekends but we managed to take several shots through the windows of Darth Vader, R2D2. Several shots of the Yoda Fountain outside. Stopped at the Cannery for a stroll around the shops and pier then crossed the Golden Gate Bridge on our way back. We got stuck in Race day traffic at Sonoma Raceway lots of traffic as the race had just ended.
Day 72 July 29th Winters:
Sunday drive day. We started out at Skywalker Ranch, which was, of course, was gated and we didn’t get in. So we headed to California highway 1, through a redwood forest, along the coast, in search of a beach for Carol to swim in the Pacific. Well, the temperature dropped from 27c to 14 c when we hit the coast. We did find an accessible beach and she said after a few seconds in the water her feet were going numb. Probably the first time I was on a beach with fewer clothes than everyone else. I had my T-shirt and jeans beachwear, but the crowded were in hoodies and heavy jackets. Drove the cliffs and took several pictures then headed home. I80 there was some vehicle on fire on the other side, flames were 10-12 feet high.
Day 73 July 30th Winters:
Quite tired today so rested after 2 full days and dealing with the issue at home. Found out the Sonoma traffic we hit the last two days were for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Damn.
Day 74 July 31st Winters:
Of we go to Silicon Valley. Starting with the NASA Ames research centre. Nice ISS simulation room. Not too big but interesting. Then to Intel for a guided tour of the museum. Cool seeing all the old tech stuff. After lunch, we took a walk around the Google campus. Really nice people there to guide us to the entrance sign, parking, and the Google Store. We never did find the Store. It took a while to get back from San Jose as we got stuck in rush hour traffic.
Day 75 August 1st Winters:
Laundry and groceries