One week on the Road

Hard to believe it was one week ago that Steve and I landed in LA. It has been a fast, busy, fun week. So many things to see. I determined today as I crossed the state line into Washington that I have been in all of the continental United States. And actually I have been in 49 of the 50 states. So the Alaska cruise is still high on my list of future vacations to complete the entire list.

A quick update of the last couple of days. We arrived in Oregon Wednesday night and spend Thursday on the road stopping at 2 of the Pinot Noir wineries of southern Oregon. We drove into Portland in time for dinner and an overnight stay with a former fraternity brother of Steve's. We determined the last time the four of us were together was in 1986 while we were skiing at Lake Tahoe. A lifetime had elasped with not much more than the exchange of Christmas cards but we all seemed to pick up as if it were only last year. That is truly the definition of friendship. If you are reading Mike and Carol it will be a highlight of our trip to reconnect with the both of you. After a wonderful quick tour of the city on Friday we were off to Seattle. Arrived in the city and had a great meal overlooking some of the islands of Puget Sound. Into the city tomorrow for the downtown tour and then we must say goodbye to Steve and the real Thelma and Louise road trip will begin. We have tried to talk Steve into continuing with us but I think he is ready to escape the female influence for awhile.

Goodbye California

It took nearly 5 days but we crossed the California/Oregon border tonight. We started the day from our Napa base and headed over the mountain to Sonoma. Stopped in Healdsburg for a Sonoma wine tasting then headed out to the coast highway. The scenery along this northern coast is spectacular. It is reminiscent of what I presume the Scottish or Irish coastline to look like. We also drove through the giant redwood forests. The trees are amazing. We stopped for dinner in Crescent City which is about as far north as you can get in California, then finished the day with the drive across the state line. Lots of pictures but too tired tonight to load them up.

Tomorrow we see some of the Oregon grape growing regions and get to Portland to visit with friends.

Roadtrip/Wine Tasting with Steve and Jessica

The road trip began on Saturday morning with Jessica saying her final goodbyes to LA. We drove to Santa Ynez where Jessica has entertained us with winery tours on previous trips. We visited one of our favorites, Gainey Winery and had a great lunchtime picnic before heading on to Santa Maria for the night.

The entrance to Bridlewood Winery

Ok it tastes good and this is fun

Jessica and Steve at Bridlewood

The view from the picnic table at Gainey

Pictures for Framing

That was about it for Saturday. Sunday was another beautiful day travelling up the California coast to Paso Robles for a personal tour of the Tablas Creek Winery. We made a stop at the Hearthstone winery and another at Zin Alley, where the owner and Steve struck up a friendship. We drove the Big Sur and had dinner at Nepenthe Restaurant. We first visited Nepenthe in 1980 and have tried to make it a regular stop anytime we travel the Big Sur. After dinner we finished the drive up the Big Sur and walked around Carmel. Driving on up to Montery Jessica noticed a thumping sound and we discovered a flat tire. A sad ending to a great day. I am sitting in the motel now while Steve and Jessica get the tire repaired and we are off to Napa later today.

Lunch at Tablas Creek

The view from Hearthstone Winery

Steve and Mike, the owner and wine maker at Zin Alley

Phoenix rising Statue at Nepenthe

The end of the day in Monterey

Happy Independence Day

We started the holiday weekend with the RCO summer party in our backyard last night. Belmont put on a fabulous fireworks show to top the evening off. The weather Was probably the best it has ever been for this big party in the 10 years we have been celebrating from our backyard. Clear skies and no wind. The no wind makes today much easier because there was no fireworks debris to clean up. I am still awaiting the crew to take down the tent but other than that we are all ready to continue the holiday weekend with friends and golf.

I hope everyone is enjoying the weather, the holiday and friends.

Special Olympics State Games Weekend

The Special Olympics State games are taking place in Columbus this weekend. The Law enforcement Torch run came through Perrysburg this morning. Mike may make the evening news on 13

Golfing vs. Blogging

Ok I said I was going to direct more time to practicing golf and less time on the computer this summer. Since my last post I have accomplished this goal. During the last 2 weeks I have participated in 2 two day golf tournaments. June 8th and 9th was our club tournament "The Belmont Cup". It is a 2 day cumulative event that is scored by one best ball of a partnership. The key to this tournament is picking your partner. I was fortunate to be playing with a 7 handicapper that played well for the 2 days. I was steady playing right at my handicap, throwing in a few pars when I got a stroke on a hole. We were successful in winning first place. Thanks Holly, you were fun to play with.

The second event was a district tournament at Orchard Hills golf course in Bryan Ohio. This was a 2 day ringer which means you play for the 2 days and then take your best scores for each day to make up your ringer 18 holes. I played great the first day shooting an 87 and holding first place for the net division. (actual score minus handicap) I found that sleeping on a lead was not my forte. I still played well on Friday but ended up in 4th place. They say competition gets easier with practice. I am still not so sure. I am looking forward to my regular Wednesday game this week with friends and just the final score being used for handicap purposes.

Aside from golf I have been able to get a little AJ time in. We played in the backyard one day and spent time on the golf course. The bunkers are still his favorite place to run and jump and he loves riding in the golf cart with grandpa. We were at the museum this week and it may be the last time there for the summer because about 100 other kids were there too. Schools out!

This weekend is a busy one with Steve playing in the Belmont Invitational. His partner is his old fraternity brother from Cleveland so we have house guests and lots of parties to attend. And of course Sunday is fathers day. Mike will be joining us for dinner Sunday night. A special Happy Day wish to all of the fathers out there.