According to Lonely Planet, these are twenty important things to consider when traveling solo. I added a few comments. Safety first-I think this applies, solo or otherwise. Learn the language-the basics are always useful and helps make a connection. Talk to locals-of course, this is one of the main reasons to travel! Look for shared housing options-I am not sure about this, though many friends do this often. Go your own way-the perfect travel partner gives and gets their own space. Challenge yourself-always ... read more

Have you ever wondered what a second wine is in Bordeaux? To make its grand vin, or best wine, a top Bordeaux château will blend together only its very finest lots of wine, usually from the most well-sited vineyard plots and the oldest vines. What happens to all the other lots? In many cases, the château makes a second wine, which will have its own brand name and its own distinct label. (It’s important to note here that a second wine is not the same as a Second Growth.) Usually made by the same winemaker in essentially the same manner as the grand vin, the second wine will be less expensive, although alas, not inexpensive (several cost more than $100 a bottle). Still, for many savvy wine drinkers, buying second wines is ... read more

Regardless of the other great wine regions, like Lodi, Central Coast, and Temecula, California's famous Napa Valley remains number one in my heart. Why is that true? In 1968, the Napa County Board of Supervisors passed a landmark zoning ordinance that made Napa Valley the first Agricultural Preserve in the United States. The Ag Preserve, as it is known, mandated agriculture as the “highest and best” use of Napa Valley land. The effect of the ordinance was to severely restrict commercial development not directly related to agriculture. As visitors discover, with the exception of the small town of Napa itself, there are no strip malls or department store complexes in the valley proper. Instead, Napa Valley is home to 40,000+ acres of beautiful vineyards, and the picturesque rural landscape remains intact. As for the other possible ... read more

Chase Center is the new home of our Golden State Warriors, and this will be my first visit. The pandemic has delayed several previous attempts to attend a Warriors game here. They broke ground here on January 17, 2017. The architect was Manica Architecture. The $1.8 billion arena was privately financed by the Warriors. The area is known for being the home of UCSF Medical Center and Kaiser-Permanente. Starting in 1964, I have seen the Warriors play in several different venues: old Civic Auditorium (Chamberlain vs Russell) in downtown San Francisco, the old Cow Palace (Championship in 1975) in South San Francisco, the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, SAP Center in San Jose, and finally, the new Chase Center in Dog Patch, aka Mission Bay. The team has $2 billion under contract from a cluster of founding ... read more

Yes, we have all been to Vegas a dozen times or more. Nothing surprises us anymore. The Strip, mega-casinos, and various attractions seem to blend in now. But I rarely hit the Strip, or even downtown, any longer. I head out to Summerlin, where my dear friends reside. Their gated community is an oasis in the Valley and feels like it could be located anywhere in the country. So, this trip, like many others, will not involve the Strip, shows, gambling, or fancy dinners. Instead, and I must emphasize preferably, I will spend my time out in Summerlin, playing cards, and enjoying my friends, Ken and Debbie. You might ask what we do with our time. Since I no longer play golf, the TPC Summerlin course sits not more than a 3 wood from their home. ... read more