The trailer is now safely stored with our friends Ed and Cindy. We drove south to Sn Leandro where we met up with Rich and Debra for our last weekend befor returning home. While we were with them our highlight was a return visit to the Knudson`s Ice Creamery, where we had a bit of a party with Kyle and his family.
Our exit route was to fly Virgin America from SFO on Suday lunchtime to LAS, wait for our Virgin Atlantic flight from LAS to MAN. From Manchester we had seats reserved a train to Middlesbrough. We arrived safely home at 4.45 local time on Monday afternoon. Total travel time 23 hours. So many thanks to our friends who have helped us. We will be back next year.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
May 16th - There's Gold In Them Thar Hills!
While we have been cleaning the trailer we have been chatting to a couple of our neighbours. The RV across the way, with some really nice people, is owned by real Gold Prospectors. Johnny and Lisa spend their summer months panning for gold, and they really do find it! They showed us some of the results of their labours. We had a very pleasant time talking about how to pan for gold and where some good places are, so next year when we come back we might have a go and see if we can pan some for ourselves.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
May 15th - Packing Up
View Spring 2013 Part 4 in a larger mapAll too soon we are once again cleaning and packing away the rig. The weather here is still glorius, though it hit the mid nineties yesterday. Last night we went with Ed and Cindy to the local casino for their buffet (senior discount - half price), which mean't we had to join the casino, which mean't that they gave us a $10 seed money, which mean't we had to get rid of it in a fruit machine on the way out, which mean't that Sally walked out with $50 and I walked out with $7, still I suppose you win some and then you ..... win some more!
Today we move our rig onto Ed and Cindy's property, which is a lovely country house with a large field. There are all sorts of birds flying around and it is very peaceful. they raise Barbary Sheep, which are great fun to watch at feeding time.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
May 24th - Corning
We moved on from Chico Fairground to our final destination, for this trip, of Corning, which is a small town which straddles Interstate 5. We are currently parked in a pleasant RV Park called Heritage RV, which is blessed with a small pool and trees. The temperature is continuing to climb into the mid nineties.
May 12th - How Little We Know
Coming to the end of Trip 12 we are still amazed by the way we stumble on great country and great stories. We are camped on the fairground at Chico, we arrived on Friday and as advertised on Friday evening there was a Meet at the Raceway, all of 100 yards from our trailer. It was noisy, but not too bad. We did not go to see it, now if it had been a demolition Derby we might have ventured out that far. Yesterday we took time to go East from Chico to visit friends. Chico is 'The last Major Town' in the Central Valley, north of Sacramento (Though Redding is further north, I don't think it is as big), we approached from the south on Highway 99, through the now normal views of flat land, irrigation and intensive agriculture. So when we drove East of Chico, taking a road called The Skyway we were surprised that within a cople of miles of the fairground we were immediately in hill country. We very quickly worked out why the road was called the Skyway. It is the only link to Paradise, originally a gold town, and as it goes East is slowly rises up, while the land either side drops away, leaving you on a narrow strip of land with the beautiful Little Butte Creek Canyon a thousand feet below you. What an amazing view, yet hidden from the rest of the world. Not only is it a wonderful view the river itself is a salmon river, which having almost died now has up to 12,500 salmon a year spawning there. Quite amazing. Having driven through Paradise, past the Chocolate Festival taking place this weekend, we had a wonderful, relaxing day with our friends in their lovely new house.
We drove back down in the evening, taking a further look at the Little Butte River Canyon, are again amazed at the variety and beauty of this country.
We drove back down in the evening, taking a further look at the Little Butte River Canyon, are again amazed at the variety and beauty of this country.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
9th May - Walmart Safari
Thursday
We are now in our last days in U.S.A. and staying in Folsom Lake State Park, about a mile from the Folsom Prison, though you can barely see it from the road.
We have spent a relaxing couple of days mooching around the shops here. Scooping up new clothes as Sally and I have needed a new wardrobe. Having visited the huge Westfield Mall on Monday evening we then set about some serious shopping. We are strategically placed between three Walmarts and I think we have emptied them all. Though reality has sort of set in as we have only 23kgs of luggage each to bring home.
On Wednesday we spent some time looking round Auburn, both at the shops and the town. Auburn was first settled in 1848, at the start of the gold rush (first gold found at Sutters Creek just 35 miles away) and became the commercial centre, once it had gone through the normal several burning down's, which seems to be the mark of almost every town in the west that was built in the nineteenth century, it settled into a very pretty little town. We had a walk around and a coffee/tea in Tsuda's Eatery, an interesting place. It started as a Buddhist temple, was bought by a Japanese man and became a School. In the Second World War the Japanese were interred (yes America does have skeletons in its closet as well), building on his release he had to buy back his own building and started a grocery, then eventually it became a cafe, fascinating history.
For lunch we took our picnic down the Auburn Ravine. A steep valley which has a major road. We had driven our van and trailer down it in 2011, but not had time to stop and look at the lovely views. the ravine has been cut by the American River and is a picnic area. Very pretty.
On Wednesday evening we drove past Folsom Prison, just to see it really.
We are now in our last days in U.S.A. and staying in Folsom Lake State Park, about a mile from the Folsom Prison, though you can barely see it from the road.
We have spent a relaxing couple of days mooching around the shops here. Scooping up new clothes as Sally and I have needed a new wardrobe. Having visited the huge Westfield Mall on Monday evening we then set about some serious shopping. We are strategically placed between three Walmarts and I think we have emptied them all. Though reality has sort of set in as we have only 23kgs of luggage each to bring home.
On Wednesday we spent some time looking round Auburn, both at the shops and the town. Auburn was first settled in 1848, at the start of the gold rush (first gold found at Sutters Creek just 35 miles away) and became the commercial centre, once it had gone through the normal several burning down's, which seems to be the mark of almost every town in the west that was built in the nineteenth century, it settled into a very pretty little town. We had a walk around and a coffee/tea in Tsuda's Eatery, an interesting place. It started as a Buddhist temple, was bought by a Japanese man and became a School. In the Second World War the Japanese were interred (yes America does have skeletons in its closet as well), building on his release he had to buy back his own building and started a grocery, then eventually it became a cafe, fascinating history.
For lunch we took our picnic down the Auburn Ravine. A steep valley which has a major road. We had driven our van and trailer down it in 2011, but not had time to stop and look at the lovely views. the ravine has been cut by the American River and is a picnic area. Very pretty.
On Wednesday evening we drove past Folsom Prison, just to see it really.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
May 6th - Sacramento
The Magic has broken!! On Sunday was overcast, but......Today it rained!
The first rain we have seen since leaving Manchester on March 5th. We thought we might get away with having no rain on this trip, however it was only showers as we were driving round the south of Napa, so the day was not spoiled.
We have returned to Sacramento to relax by Folsom Lake as a stopover going north. We stayed here for a couple of nights in October 2011. Last night we ventured out to the Westfield Mall, just to have a browse, which is something we have not been doing at all this trip.
The first rain we have seen since leaving Manchester on March 5th. We thought we might get away with having no rain on this trip, however it was only showers as we were driving round the south of Napa, so the day was not spoiled.
We have returned to Sacramento to relax by Folsom Lake as a stopover going north. We stayed here for a couple of nights in October 2011. Last night we ventured out to the Westfield Mall, just to have a browse, which is something we have not been doing at all this trip.
Monday, May 6, 2013
May 5th - Cloverdale
Monday
Well the Fiddle competition is over. It has been a great weekend, Sally and I watched some very good musicians fighting it our for champion fiddler, mandolin player or guitarist in this area, although contestants came from all over California to compete. we also had the time to watch some great bluegrass bands. I think our favourite for Sunday was the Kathy Kallick Band, who have been performing for many years, even though we had not heard of them before.
One of the great things about these festivals is that everyone is very friendly and competitors and players mingle in with everyone else, so you can get to jam with all sorts of really good players.
Talking to the chap parked next to us in his camper, soon moved to jamming, he was obviously, I mean obviously, better than me, so a jam quickly became a lesson. He was so patient and helpful. The lesson continued on Sunday morning. So it then turned out that Jerry Rose was here to compete in the guitar competition, more than that, he was also the California State flatpicking guitar champion five times. So with all the brilliant musicians here this weekend and he was happy enough to spend his time helping someone else. Thanks Jerry for your patience and care, I am still practicing, and sorry you didn't win yesterday.
Well the Fiddle competition is over. It has been a great weekend, Sally and I watched some very good musicians fighting it our for champion fiddler, mandolin player or guitarist in this area, although contestants came from all over California to compete. we also had the time to watch some great bluegrass bands. I think our favourite for Sunday was the Kathy Kallick Band, who have been performing for many years, even though we had not heard of them before.
One of the great things about these festivals is that everyone is very friendly and competitors and players mingle in with everyone else, so you can get to jam with all sorts of really good players.
Talking to the chap parked next to us in his camper, soon moved to jamming, he was obviously, I mean obviously, better than me, so a jam quickly became a lesson. He was so patient and helpful. The lesson continued on Sunday morning. So it then turned out that Jerry Rose was here to compete in the guitar competition, more than that, he was also the California State flatpicking guitar champion five times. So with all the brilliant musicians here this weekend and he was happy enough to spend his time helping someone else. Thanks Jerry for your patience and care, I am still practicing, and sorry you didn't win yesterday.
May 2nd - Cloverdale
On Thursday we moved from Calistoga to Cloverdale, all of 40 miles up the road, calling in at Healdsburg for supplies. Healdsburg is very pretty so we decided that we would call back there to have a wander round. We arrived at the Citrus Fairground and set up, clear sky and baking hot, great. On Friday we took our side trisp to Healdsburg and had a lovely day wandering round this pretty town, like Sonoma it has a town square, which has been made into a small park, with lots of large trees, where we had our picnic. Had a very nice tea/coffee in a French Bistro, pavement style and somehow managed to spend nothing in the shops!
By Friday evening people were arriving for the Fiddle Festival, so there was some playing around the RV's. Old Time Music is different to bluegrass. Here the fiddle is the king instrument and in a circle will usually take the lead, with everyone else following, playing the tune all together, though song choice still rotates around.
Saturday was the start of the fiddle contest, with the Peewee, Junior and Youth categories. Unfortunately there were not as many contestants as expected, which was worrying for the organisers, however we had a very nice day sitting and listening to the kids competing, also watching a couple of bands who were playing on a different stage. The Roustabouts were a nice tight band from Bakersfield, who reflected the Bakersfield Sound, though they could not really define it!
Sunday is Senior Day so we shall see what happens.
By Friday evening people were arriving for the Fiddle Festival, so there was some playing around the RV's. Old Time Music is different to bluegrass. Here the fiddle is the king instrument and in a circle will usually take the lead, with everyone else following, playing the tune all together, though song choice still rotates around.
Saturday was the start of the fiddle contest, with the Peewee, Junior and Youth categories. Unfortunately there were not as many contestants as expected, which was worrying for the organisers, however we had a very nice day sitting and listening to the kids competing, also watching a couple of bands who were playing on a different stage. The Roustabouts were a nice tight band from Bakersfield, who reflected the Bakersfield Sound, though they could not really define it!
Sunday is Senior Day so we shall see what happens.
Friday, May 3, 2013
30th April - Sonoma - Outpost of Californian History
Our visit to Sonoma brought into focus a bit more of Californias history. El Camino Reale is the Royal Road that joins all the Missions on the West Coast which were built between 1683 and 1823. The road itself was started to be paved around 1900 and became U.S.101.
Sonoma Town Square is large,about 200 yards on each side, with a park in the middle. It is the site of the last, and most northerly, of the 21 Missions built in California. Built in 1823 it was the only Mission to be started by the Mexicans, it became properly established by 1830, but was sold off in 1834 by the Mexican Govt. Then taken over in 1836 by the Mexican army as the famous (?) Mexican General Vallejo made it his Northern Border Garrison, to defend Mexico from the Russians, would you believe, who had developed a number of fur trade communities to Northern California (Fort Ross up through Oregon).
This was a very confused time in Californian history, though it was part of Mexico the population was very small, several thousand, and it was long way away from the Mexican President (who between 1821 and 1846 changed 40 times). By 1846 the garrison was down to about 30 men when on June 14th 1846 the 'Black Bear Incident' took place, the town was taken over by the Black Bear Party - group of American settler who raised a flag in the square, with a black bear on it, captured General Vallejo and declared establishment of the free and independent Republic of California. This was part of a bloodless rebellion that led to California becoming independent in 1847, a move which was strengthened by the discovery of gold in 1848 and a consequential increase in population to more than 100,000. It then became a part of the USA, being declared 31st State in 1850.
The mission itself was the simplest of any of the Mission buildings we had seen and as a building quite unremarkable.
Napa Valley Tours
OK, So I admit it. Against all my tourist instincts, Napa Valley is a beautiful place. Even though it is an engineered environment. All the little vineyards and chateau along the avenued roads, often with each row of vines having a rose bush at the end of it. The backdrop of the oh so green hills/mountains. Driving through the small towns with their quaint 19th Century Main Street - places like Calistoga, St Helena, Oakville and Younstown. This all makes for a very relaxed and pretty place. The road is a bit on the busy side, being more or less a single road which runs the whole length of the valley. Even without stopping at the vineyards (They charge for wine tasting, which I think is a bit mean).
Yesterday we left our shady campground and ventured out into what promised to be a hot day here (and it was). Our goal for today was to see Sonoma, a town which is not actually in Napa Valley, but a couple of valleys to the West. We were going to drive down the valley to Oakville and take the Oakville Grade Road over the hills. Before we could do that we had to drive past the Bale Grist Mill, which only opens on weekends........ however, as we drove past Sally noticed that the big waterwheel was turning, so we went in to have a look. Sure enough the mill was open and working, so we went further. A school party had booked a tour and they let us tag along, so we were treated to a tour and demonstration of this flour mill built in 1846.
After visiting the mill we continued through St Helena and took the road west from Oakville. We did not realize how narrow steep and winding the road was, good job we didn't have the trailer on. The views of the valleys now reverted to more natural woodland, with a few vineyards tucked in to the few flat spots along the road. Crossing over the hills we ended up in Glen Ellen, a another pretty little town just by the Jack London Historic State Park, which looked interesting, but was not open (Jack London, famous author over here, wrote Call Of The Wild). This then led us down to Sonoma, wher we parked in the very large town square for a wander. We stopped in at the Tourist Information Center and spoke with a dear lady who was most enthusiastic in here invitation to do things in the area. We told here we were just passing through and had a couple of hours and she suggested that we go, no actually she told us we had to, to a local vineyard (even though we told her we don't drink much), a museum about 20 minutes out of town as well as a walk round the sqaure, which Thrift (Charity) shop, which cafe to have a cuppa in, which restaurant to eat a meal in and information about the Mission (which is what we had come to see) and the Barracks and other stuff. She ended up by telling us about how to rent a house, as many people now come here for a month at a time, because it is so pleasant. This lady (though very nice) was in the wrong business, she should be selling Time Shares (perhaps she does).
Sonoma Town Square is large,about 200 yards on each side, with a park in the middle. It is the site of the last, and most northerly, of the 21 Missions built in California. Started in 1823 it was the only Mission to be started by the Mexicans, it became properly established by 1830, but was sold off in 1834 by the Mexican Govt. Then taken over in 1836 by the Mexican army as the famous (?) Mexican General Vallejo made it his Northern Border Garrison, to defend Mexico from the Russians, would you believe, who had developed a number of fur trade communities to Northern California (Fort Ross up through Oregon).
This was a very confused time in Californian history, though it was part of Mexico the population was very small, several thousand, and it was long way away from the Mexican President (who between 1821 and 1846 changed 40 times). By 1846 the garrison was down to about 30 men when on June 14th 1846 the 'Black Bear Incident' took place, the town was taken over by the Black Bear Party - group of American settler who raised a flag in the square, with a black bear on it, captured General Vallejo and declared establishment of the free and independent Republic of California. This was part of a bloodless rebellion that led to California becoming independent in 1847, a move which was strengthened by the discovery of gold in 1848 and a consequential increase in population to more than 100,000. It then became a part of the USA, being declared 31st State in 1850.
The mission itself was the simplest of any of the Mission buildings we had seen and as a building quite unremarkable.
We continued our walk around the square, stopping at the Sunflower Cafe for a drink in their shady back garden, did some window shopping and returned to the van. We decided that this was a very nice place to spend an afternoon.
We now drove on to Napa, to eat. We had a 20% coupon for Denny's, so that was the place we ate. From there we stopped at the Walmart and then back to the trailer. Tired, but a very enjoyable day.
Yesterday we left our shady campground and ventured out into what promised to be a hot day here (and it was). Our goal for today was to see Sonoma, a town which is not actually in Napa Valley, but a couple of valleys to the West. We were going to drive down the valley to Oakville and take the Oakville Grade Road over the hills. Before we could do that we had to drive past the Bale Grist Mill, which only opens on weekends........ however, as we drove past Sally noticed that the big waterwheel was turning, so we went in to have a look. Sure enough the mill was open and working, so we went further. A school party had booked a tour and they let us tag along, so we were treated to a tour and demonstration of this flour mill built in 1846.
After visiting the mill we continued through St Helena and took the road west from Oakville. We did not realize how narrow steep and winding the road was, good job we didn't have the trailer on. The views of the valleys now reverted to more natural woodland, with a few vineyards tucked in to the few flat spots along the road. Crossing over the hills we ended up in Glen Ellen, a another pretty little town just by the Jack London Historic State Park, which looked interesting, but was not open (Jack London, famous author over here, wrote Call Of The Wild). This then led us down to Sonoma, wher we parked in the very large town square for a wander. We stopped in at the Tourist Information Center and spoke with a dear lady who was most enthusiastic in here invitation to do things in the area. We told here we were just passing through and had a couple of hours and she suggested that we go, no actually she told us we had to, to a local vineyard (even though we told her we don't drink much), a museum about 20 minutes out of town as well as a walk round the sqaure, which Thrift (Charity) shop, which cafe to have a cuppa in, which restaurant to eat a meal in and information about the Mission (which is what we had come to see) and the Barracks and other stuff. She ended up by telling us about how to rent a house, as many people now come here for a month at a time, because it is so pleasant. This lady (though very nice) was in the wrong business, she should be selling Time Shares (perhaps she does).
Sonoma Town Square is large,about 200 yards on each side, with a park in the middle. It is the site of the last, and most northerly, of the 21 Missions built in California. Started in 1823 it was the only Mission to be started by the Mexicans, it became properly established by 1830, but was sold off in 1834 by the Mexican Govt. Then taken over in 1836 by the Mexican army as the famous (?) Mexican General Vallejo made it his Northern Border Garrison, to defend Mexico from the Russians, would you believe, who had developed a number of fur trade communities to Northern California (Fort Ross up through Oregon).
This was a very confused time in Californian history, though it was part of Mexico the population was very small, several thousand, and it was long way away from the Mexican President (who between 1821 and 1846 changed 40 times). By 1846 the garrison was down to about 30 men when on June 14th 1846 the 'Black Bear Incident' took place, the town was taken over by the Black Bear Party - group of American settler who raised a flag in the square, with a black bear on it, captured General Vallejo and declared establishment of the free and independent Republic of California. This was part of a bloodless rebellion that led to California becoming independent in 1847, a move which was strengthened by the discovery of gold in 1848 and a consequential increase in population to more than 100,000. It then became a part of the USA, being declared 31st State in 1850.
The mission itself was the simplest of any of the Mission buildings we had seen and as a building quite unremarkable.
We continued our walk around the square, stopping at the Sunflower Cafe for a drink in their shady back garden, did some window shopping and returned to the van. We decided that this was a very nice place to spend an afternoon.
We now drove on to Napa, to eat. We had a 20% coupon for Denny's, so that was the place we ate. From there we stopped at the Walmart and then back to the trailer. Tired, but a very enjoyable day.
Bale Grist Mill
Serendipity As we passed the Bale Grist Mill while travelling along the Napa Valley Highway Sally saw that the big waterwheel was turning, so we stopped to investigate, even though we had been told that the mill was closed. Sure enough the mill was open, as a group of school children were being shown around. We were fortunate enough to be invited to tag along with them. The tour was fascinating. The grist mill is quite large, so all the mechanical processes could be seen easily. We followed the energy path from stream to mill stones. The 36ft diameter wheel is an overshot, so the water flows over the top of the wheel, using its weight to drive the wheel (as opposed the an undershot wheel which uses the speed of the water to turn it). It was surprising how little water was need to drive the mill. The wheel is attached to a shaft which transfers the moving energy to the rest of the mill. There were a couple of take off points so that the energy could be used to move grain round the mill. Interesting were the vertical bands with small pockets attached to them, which were used to raise (or elevate) the grist (which is wheat which has been separated from the chaff) from the ground up to the hoppers used to feed the mill. Once lifted there is machinery to separate the grist from grit and weeds. The mill itself is composed of two granite mill stones dressed with an accuracy of less than a millimeter. The 1100 lb bottom stone rotates at about 200 r.p.m. The mill stones should never actually touch each other, so the corn/wheat is milled (cut up) rather than ground, so the top stone must be accurately placed, using a ring, or 'eye' on to a small shaft, called, for some reason 'The Cock', when the eye is correctly placed then the top stone is then centred on to the rotating lower stone, this is known as being 'cockeyed', strangely we now use the term in a reversal of its original meaning . The mill will produce a variety of flour grades as it works, though the miller has some control over the flour as the top stone can be raised and lowered to roughly determine the grade of flour produced. However as the stone is encased the only way to tell just how big the gap is is to send a small amount of grist through and feel the size of the flour produced, this is done by rubbing the flour between fore finger and thumb, hence the saying 'rule of thumb' At its lowest it will produce finer flour. Too low and the mill stones make contact and the heat of friction will burn the flour, making a smell,, rendering that batch of flour useless, hence the miller must keep his 'nose to the grindstone' to ensure that it is not burnt. The ungraded flour is then elevated again by the 'Run of the mill' elevator (referring to ungraded, or generalised flour being run right through the mill), to be separated into four grades of flour. Fine, Fair, Middlin and bran. The most average flour grade became known as 'fair to middlin'. Once graded the flour is then dropped back down to the ground floor to be bagged. Interestingly milling is a continous process, with a large amount of grain being held in the hoppers, so the grain a farmer brings in is not necessarily used to make the flour he gets out! The miller will assess the farmers grain for quality and ratio of grain to grit/weeds and tell him the % of flour that he will get back, which leaves a lot of room for diasgreements I would think. We learned all this as Jim the miller showed us all round the mill, with the belts, shafts and gears clanking away quietly in the background, finally he actually used the mill to produce some pollenta (a course corn flour). It was a fascinating process and we really enjoyed just being there, watching and learning.
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