Share the Road.......

A view of the coast

Bob hard at work: Kevin & Jack take note!

Ok: I know it's not nice, but I had to get in one last jab!

Chillin'

and chillin'

Jam!  I can send you some if you want!

Strawberry or raspberry!

Salmon dinner for the last supper of this tribe!

Bob taking a picture of me taking a picture....

The tribe

All grins: that's what we like!

The second to last ride day from Casini Ranch to Olema was one of those days that people driving the route either have to be extremely patient or get off the road!  When we came off of 116 onto Highway 1 along the coast we shared our side of the road with about 100 other cyclists from another ride.  Coming the other way on the road was the MS 150 with hundreds of riders.  It was pretty crazy out there!  I have to compliment our riders for sticking to the single file rule.  The riders on the other ride must not have learned that one in cycle 101.  Three abreast was not uncommon........a little tough for the big yellow truck, as well as rent a rv's, to get around.

It was a gorgeous day for a ride, though. One of the prettiest ride days! If you dared take your eyes off of the road! All of the little towns along the way were pretty crowded with people on bikes looking for coffee and pastries.  Many of our tribe stopped in at Hog Island Oysters for a sampling of the local fare.  Oysters while riding isn't quite what I would want for a snack. A few of the tribe headed up Coleman Valley for the optional ride of 5.7 miles.  Unfortunately on of the tribe crashed on this loop and sported some pretty good road rash.

We were looking forward to battling raccoons again tonight.  When we were here last year one big guy insisted on harassing us most of the night and all of the morning.  He stole the bread right off of the end of the truck!  But, they must of all found new hunting grounds.  No raccoons this trip.

We had lunch in Olema and visited the cheese factory and farmers market, then headed to camp to prepare the last supper.  It was salmon night for the tribe and they thoroughly enjoyed it!  They finished every last bite.  They didn't leave a crumb of the strawberry short cake either.  I swear they were fighting over the whipped cream!

Arlen led the tribe in the final map meeting, giving out awards and kudos for a ride well done.  We set out the jam for sale and took orders for zucchini relish to be shipped after I get home.  This tribe took quite a liking to the zucchini relish.  They relished over a jar a day at the lunch stops!  I will have to make more next week.

The final day of the ride found the tribe up and out to head into San Francisco to find their way home.  It was a great week: fast and furious.  We have a 2 day drive home, I go right back to school, have a catering Tuesday night.......it doesn't end!

Arlen did announce the list of tours for next year!  Hurrah!  Time to start putting your ride plans together.  I will let you know when we find out which ones we are working.  Plus, Jack is thinking of putting his name in to lead a self contained tour.  I'll let you know if he gets that one, too.

Though it was a short season for us this year, but it was a lot of fun.  I hope to have the chance to feed you next year!

Who Put This Road on the Map?

I really want to know who thought it would be funny to send us on today's route.  So would the tribe members.  It is my understanding that the route we took today was to cut the mileage from trips past.  Thanks.  If the hill into Sugarloaf wasn't bad enough.

We turned off of 128 just outside of Calistoga onto the Petrified Forest Road.  Petrified is right.  That is what I was for the next 12 miles.  We were routed onto a one lane, at best, road that wound up and down and around and around and up and down some more.  There was not shoulder, no visual of what lied ahead, steep ups and downs.  Fortunately we stopped for an early lunch in Calistoga and did not have to pass any riders.  It is a beautiful route, but not one for the big yellow truck.

We had lunch at a deli in the old train cars just across from the grocery store in Calistoga.  This is a must eat when you are in town.  The sandwiches are amazing as are the burritos and quiche.  I was in heaven.

After the tricky Forest roads the tribe landed on the River Road and made their way into Guerneville and then on to camp at the Casini Family Ranch.  Many bottles of Korbel Champagne were lugged along the way: it was a popular destination!

The tribe set up camp and dined on a green salad and veggie salad with honey mustard dressing: spiced pork chops: East Indian vegetable stew: orzo with pesto sauce: and more pecan pie bars and brownies for dessert.  The tribe has finally found their appetite: I was a little concerned going out the gate because they really didn't eat like cyclists.  They are now!

Following dinner Jerry led the tribe in some new dance moves.  Yes, the Mocorana.  YES, the Time Warp.  He didn't lead them in this one, I did.  A new low to my  blossoming resume.  I hope I still have a job after this!  Did I mention I have seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show somewhere in the neighborhood of 50+ times? No, I don't dress up. Jack does: but I won't share the pictures.  I think I want to stay married.  So, it's just a jump to the left.........

.We hit the tent early: it's been a long week.  Tomorrow is a long day into Olema......and is a great bakery in Duncan Mills that we need to visit, as well the Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes.  More cheese....YUMMM!

Bread from the Model Bakery: scary charging system we have here!: great new book available through ACA: geese rule at this park: dinner on the patio

Wine, WIne, Wine

There is no shortage of wine on this trip!  I am convinced this tribe has set a record for the number of bottles of wine purchases on this tour!  As well, the number of wineries visited!  Today was the perfect opportunity for the tribe to seek out the tastings: they criss crossed the valley form Calistoga to Yountville to St. Helena and finally to Calistoga.  It was a gorgeous day for riding and sampling.  The weather has been perfect on this trip: not too hot, not too cold....

An interesting fact that I found out about today!  When traveling through the vineyards many of them have roses planted at the end of each row.  I have always wondered why: now I know!  1) It's tradition 2) roses and grapes grow the same and are very similar: roses are more fragile than grapes and are prone to the same diseases of grapes: if a disease hits the rose will come down with it first.  This marker potentially saves the grapes!

We headed out of comp and beat feat for St. Helena: I LOVE the Model bakery there and couldn't wait to see what goodies were in store for us.  We made it by lunch time and I splurged on a chicken and artichoke panini while Jack had salmon lox & capers on french bread with a bowl of fresh mushroom soup.  We loaded up on loaves of ciabatta and french breads for tonights pasta dinner and headed into camp.

The tribe had a great day: those who chose to ride through St. Helena did have to deal with some pretty awful traffic..lots of cars and very slow.  But following that it was not bad at all.  A couple of the tribe members stopped and had lunch at the Culinary Institute of America.  I am SO jealous.  But, I have a hard time justifying $100.00 for lunch for two.  Maybe next year.

At camp we prepared a pasta dinner that included a green salad nicouse: linguini with a homemade meat sauce: orzo with pesto and sundried tomatoes; sauteed zucchini and grilled breads from the Model bakery.  Pecan pie  bars for dessert.  The tribe ate well.

After dinner many of the tribe members and staff headed into Calistoga for a soak in the hot springs.  We have never done this, but will in the future!  $20.00 for 2 hours of bliss......I can't wait to come back.

Tomorrow's route should prove to be interesting: we have not gone this way before.  What lays ahead for this tribe?  We'll see.

Pics of the Trip

Arlen leading the first map meeting

The tunnel from.........###

Picking up cheese at the cheese factory outside of Petaluma..

The view going down to Petaluma

Some of the older homes in Petluma

Partaking in the cheeses for happy hour

Our cozy camp with NO rattlesnakes

Pretty pink bike

HILLARY!!

Posing for the blog at the Sugarloaf campground

Sing-along-with-Jerry

Going down and down out of Sugarloaf

Yard art!

Two of the homes coming out of Sugarloaf

Grapes!

The garden gate at the Napa campground

YMCA? Nice moves, Mo

The Electric Slide?  Maybe a little too much vino?

The Tribe That Loves to Explore!

Arlen has deemed this tribe the Tribe That Loves to Explore.  I don't think anyone stayed 100% on route all day....they wandered from winery to winery, criss crossing the route along the way.  Why not?  It was a short day with a screaming 2 mile downhill to start the day.  Screaming was what I did all the way down.  Jack informed me that if he used the brakes anymore than he was, we wouldn't have any brakes.

Some of the homes that we have seen on this trip are amazing.  When we get into camp tonight I will be able to go back and post the pictures that I have taken along the way.  In Petaluma the houses were the old mansions from the late 1800's and early 1900's.  A couple along the road to Sugarloaf were breathtaking.  Of course the wineries are spectacular....

After a day of pedals and wine most of the tribe headed into Napa to explore the old town.  We found our way to the Oxbow Market on 1st Avenue.  If you make it to Napa it is one place to see.  It's an open indoor market with everything wine country that you could imagine.  An olive oil shop,  cheese shop, herb and spice counter, restaurants, (two of which featured 100% gluten free menus), oyster bar, coffee bar, produce stand, cupcakes, chocolates.....too much to take in!  Unfortunately it's also very pricy.  A bowl of clam chowder was $16.00: the cheeses started at $20.00 a pound.  Around the corner from the market is a meat shop named "The Fatted Calf".  It has every cut of pork, lamb, beef, whole turkeys, ducks, chickens, geese.....amazing place.  But, beef jerky was $40.00 a pound.  I bought a bag of organic dried beef dog treats.

We stayed tonight at the Skyline Wilderness Park just outside of Napa.  It's a great little park with a beautiful Native Habitat Garden to wander through.  We saw Blue Jays, Acorn Wood Peckers and Wild Turkeys.  Unfortunately this camp ground had one set of two bathrooms and two showers at our end of the park.  Made for some long lines in the morning!

After a dinner of spicy cabbage & pepper salad, curried chicken, peanut yam tofu, rice & sprouted beans, sautéd snow peas and chocolate birthday cake, (we had two birthdays today), the tribe followed along with Jerry and learned a few new line dances.  Pretty cute.  I think tomorrow night it's the mocorana.  Maybe even the time warp!  Oh how I love the Rocky Horror Picture Show!  But that's another story.

Tomorrow we're off to Calistoga.  I think the tribe will be exploring the whole valley, back and forth from winery to winery.  We are heading through the great town of St. Helena to hit up the Model Bakery.  I'll let you know what we find.

Shake, Rattle, and.........

Roll.  That's what the did after leaving Petaluma.  They rolled on two wheels through the valleys and vineyards into the Sonoma wine country.  Most of them rolled into a winery or two for tours and tastings. Kendall Jackson was a favorite. The tribe did a good job of supporting the wine industry today!

 Then, they rolled to the entrance of tonights overnight: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.  We should know by now that any venue with the words; ridge, hill, mountain, crest, view, bluff, etc.; means that you are going to have to go up.  Up is not what you want for the last two miles of your day on a bike.  Again, someone at ACA has a warped sense of humor.  Should of had a clue when Arlen announced last night that they would be happy to shuttle anyone into the park from the turn off of the main road......though he didn't offer to shuttle my big yellow truck.

The climb into the park started out on a nice, wide, two lane road flanked on either side by organic vineyards.  Beautiful clumps of dark purple grapes hanging from leafy green vines took your attention away from what lay ahead.  Gradually the road narrowed and wandered through a  quiet canyon with oak trees reaching across from each side.  Gradually the road started to climb.  Not so gradually it went vertical.  2 miles of vertical.  (12%???) Not so gradually it opened up on MY SIDE of the truck to a stellar view of what we just went up.  That means a cliff.  That means my palms are sweating and I'm breathing a little irregularly.  It also means that we have to go back down tomorrow.  Drats.  Finally we made it into the park and up to the top to the group sight that was reserved for us.  That's where the rattle comes in.

Rattle snakes.  Hundreds and hundreds of them.  The group sight nestled up to a big outcropping of black rocks.  The park manager informed our luggage guru that the rocks were home to hundreds of rattle snakes.  They are pretty docile he said.  They won't bug you unless you get too close or step on one.  I don't think so.  Since Arlen was not available the three of us decided it was necessary to explore other options.  (Plus the showers and restrooms were 1/2 a mile away, nay for the one pit toilet in the parking lot. )  We settled on a beautiful sight in the lower campground, away from the rattle snakes, tucked into a grove of trees with lots of comfy camp sights.  It was a good choice.  The only critters were three young deer that visited in the morning.

Our well imbibed tribe dined on bbq'd pulled pork, opa's sausages, texas wedge salad, broccoli salad, sauerkraut, steamed asparagus and veggies, fingerling potatoes, and and a huge plate of brownies.  They then rallied around the campfire well into the evening then tucked in for a cool night of sleep.

Tomorrow will find them exploring more wineries and the town of Napa.  Another boost to the economy is about to happen!

 

Day Two....No Vegimites?

Day two started foggy and early...note early enough for with the coffee for some of the tribe!  We weren't supposed to be in the kitchen in the hostel until 7am, so no coffee until 7:30.  And, it was instant as we did not have time to brew the real stuff.  The tribe was tolerant, though.  There are a million coffee shops in town.

This is our first tour ever in 17 years that we have no vegetarians.  SCARY!  I don't know what to do!  Only a couple of small food issues among us.......maybe Jack can be a vegetarian just to even things out. :)

The tribe headed out on the Coastal Route  from the hostel.  We didn't dare take the truck that way: Mo said she wasn't even sure the cars could make some of the hills.  Back through the tunnel for us.  Just how I want to start my day!

From the coast the tribe headed inland to roll through the hills of Marin County to Petaluma.  Miles and miles of ranches and farmland.  Plenty of places to get lost, as some of the tribe did.  The marks on the road needed to be adjusted a tad bit, from what was said.  But, everyone made it into camp!

We took the freeway here but made time to backtrack the route to the Marin County Cheese factory to procure some fantastic bries for the appetizer hour before dinner.  Across the street from the factory was a large group of Sherifs and police with a helicopter and 4wd vehicles.  We asked the girls in the store front what was going on.  They said there had been a 5 million dollar pot bust in the hills last week and they were out to find more.  It's California, they said!

The KOA that we stayed at is much much quieter on a Monday night than when we were here on Saturday.  No screaming meanies!

After a dinner of Greek Citrus Chicken, tossed green salad, leftover pea and pasta salad, steamed sprouted beans and rice, carrots and cauliflower, sautéed kale with a balsamic glaze (DOUBLE YUMMM!) and brownies for dessert the tribe headed to the map meeting and enjoyed an evening of a camp fire and camaraderie.  It's a nice group, especially since Hillary is along for the ride!

Tomorrow is a trip through the wineries and up to Santa Rosa.  Pictures will have to wait as the internet service is so slow I would be here all day.  On to the next camp.