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Published: October 7th 2006
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STUCK IN LODI AGAIN
Us, Barbara and Dave + wine hostess at the end Hello all you impatient Blog readers out there. America may be the land of Plenty and the land of the Free but it certainly isn't the land of Plenty Internet Cafes, Free or otherwise.
We have had such a wonderful time since we left you (and San Francisco) behind that what follows is but a condensed version of our time between there and our current place of San Diego. Where to start? At the beginning I suppose.
We left the bright lights of SF and headed towards Sacramento. Having found a reasonably cheap motel we went for a walk into downtown. To say we were underwhelmed is to put it politely. We mooched around a shopping mall (well,Linda shopped, Ken mooched!) We spotted a sign for 'Old Sacramento' and thought anything must be better than the new place. Are we glad we did. Firstly, it was thriving and bustling with lots of restaurants, bars and novelty shops, as well as being on the riverside with a few steamboats passing themselves off as hotels and bars. We had a couple of drinks and a game of darts in one bar, before heading to another. This was particularly busy so when
LAKE TAHOE
We were a bit scared at first but got a little boulder! a couple came past looking for somewhere to park themselves we invited them to join us. Well what a great couple they turned out to be. We had a famously great evening laughing and talking 'til the wee hours. They insisted on taking us out on a 'wine tour' the following day. Jeez. The first winery was less like wine tasting, more like a wine party. Full glasses, nearly of all 8 wines that we tasted and that was before we went to the second vineyard! This was followed by a trip to a 'hick-town' bar and a late evening meal. Dave and Barbara, thank you both from the bottom of our hearts for a wonderful couple of days. We WILL meet up again, and be in touch soon.
The next couple of days found us in the most beautiful of places - Lake Tahoe. The lake and surrounding countryside was just the most awesome scenic adventure. Not only did we drive the 78 miles around the lake but wen't out on a Champagne Sunset cruise. Who said romance was dead? For you film buffs, this is the lake where Fredo (Micheal Corlrone's brother) is shot and disposed off
LAKE TAHOE
From the north in Godfather II.
The next few days saw us drive through some more great countryside (for more detailed descriptions of the drive and many more in-depth descriptions of our tour you will have to await the publication of Linda's 'Daily Diary.) The journey took us to a place 'Yosemite' have heard off (Ha Ha) I know; it's pronounced Yo-sem-ity Park. Once more we find ourselves at a loss for words to describe the grandeur and beauty of this wonderful national treasure. A treasure available to the world through no little thanks to a Scotsman from Dunbar called John Muir, euligised by Dick Gaughan on one of his many great albums. Just be in awe of the photographs - we went through hundreds of snaps. It's a wonder we could take photos at all considering how giddy we were from driving along the most windy narrow roller coaster type roads imaginable.
And so to Ventura. We had a fine time here the highlight being the Saturday afternoon Concert in the Hillsides. If only festivals in the UK were so laid back. 'No alcohol or cameras allowed' said the ticket. We didn't see one person get searched. I wish someone
LAKE TAHOE
Us posing over Emerald Bay had told us!!
And the concert itself.... enough to say that Jackson Browne was Absolutely Bloody Marvellous. The other acts which included Micheal MacDonald ex Doobie Brothers were all splendid but JB was the best (not that I am biased in any way!)
We spent a pleasant Sunday visiting Ventura Harbour Village where we came upon a small bar which had Blues Music playing. I ask ya "Whatcha gonna do? Another lateish night ensued.
And so (Sorry Baldy Forest - Ken's English teacher) we are now in San Diego. You will now have to await our next missive which should give details of any or all of our trip to Pheonix, Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon and Los Angeles.
Happy birthday to Al, hope you had a great time in the Back Garden Bar on your 50th. A landmark also celebrated by Wendy in Llanelli - Happy Birthday. Thanks Jack, for the advice on California ,
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Linda Bustin
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Carry On the Good Work
Great Pics. Discriptions of every place fantastic. Will be sorry when it's all over. I feel I know half the world alredy. Take care you two