North America: California (part 2)

Hey Kids!

It has been a great trip so far! I've been reconnecting with several relatives that I haven't seen in ages up here in northern Cali, and its been great. I started out in Rohnert Park to visit my cousin, Barbara, and her husband, Frank. They gave me the rock star treatment and set me up in their in their wonderful home for one night. I haven't seen Barbara since I was 6 years old! Next, I went to Hayward and Livermore and saw my Aunt Bea, Uncle Claude, and my cousins Carol, Carrie, Sue, and her husband Mike. I can't remember that last time I saw them!

Afterwards, I took a road trip from northern California to San Diego via the 101 freeway and saw the lots of scenery. I had the top down on the convertible and managed to get a nice tan in process. The trip took almost 12 hours (longer than I would've liked), but I finally made it to my hotel last night.

Today, I spent most of my day with my cousin, Tom, checking out the crazy real estate market around here (I don't think I'll be moving out here anytime soon). Then, I hung out with Tom's wife, Maureen, and my cousin Mary, and we all went out for a nice dinner. Then, tomorrow I head to Vegas! Hopefully I won't lose too much money, so I'll have too stick to my budget (which can be difficult after several drinks).

That's been my week so far. If anything cool happens in Vegas, I'll be sure to post something about...no wait...what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

So until next time...

Good times!

North America: California

Howdy kids!

I know, its been a while since I rapped at ya. Well, its mainly because I haven't really *been* anywhere lately. Last week I was supposed to go the New Orleans area to visit a friend, but that fell through on account of a bad sinus infection.

Presently, I'm in Napa California visiting Michelle and Chris, whom I met on my tour in Europe. I flew into San Francisco, rented a car, and took a small rode trip through the bay area to Napa. Its beautiful country out here. Tons of vineyards and small mountains....very reminiscent of Italy. And, lots-o-places for wine drinking. Apparently wine tourism is very popular around here.

Saturday we went hiking at Chris' family's ranch up in the mountains, which had some spectacular views of the city.


  

On Sunday, we went to Michelle's family's vineyard for some good ol' fashioned wine bottling. They use the vineyard primarily for selling the grapes to larger commercial wineries, but they keep a small portion of the grapes for their private winery.


  

Every year when they bottle wine, they invite several people over for food and all they wine they can drink in exchange for free labor on the bottling assembly line.


  

There were about 15 people in all at the bottling party and everyone got to experience the bottling processes by being either the bottle filler, bottle level checker, corker, labeler, and cellar stocker. The best part about it is that they sent everyone home with a few vessels of wine they helped to bottle. After being here I really wanted to watch the movie Sideways again.

Well, it's now Monday and I'll be on my way to see my cousin Barbara in Rohnert Park. I can't wait because I haven't seen here in well over 20 years. I've got several other people to see here in Cali until Friday, which is when I'll be ending this trip Las Vegas.

So until next time...

Good times!!!