They're gonna take a rest for a month or so.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Temecula Wine Trail - With Benefits!
Hi Blog! On Saturday, December 7th - a date that will live in memory - our friends, Darla and Lee Ann, came and picked us up from the campground for a tour of the Temecula Wine Country. We knew it was going to be a great day, as we started our drive by seeing several rainbows.
Temecula Valley is located 500 miles south of San Francisco, resulting in a slightly higher angle to the sun and greater solar intensity. Temecula is in a relatively low rainfall region. However that didn't stop it from raining on us. Extensive research showed that the Temecula Valley was ideal for growing high quality wine grapes as mist often lingers until mid-morning on this 1,400-foot plateau, located below the peaks of the local mountain range.
Our first stop was the Frangipani Estate Winery. The owner, Don Frangipani, has taken French varietals of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Verdot and combined them with old world, Italian styles to create a unique collection of wines. Family owned and operated since 2003, Frangipani Estate Winery offers a dynamic selection of wines with a passion for reds. The also have a Tasting Room cat named Barrel and the cutest dog greeter named Frannie. Say Hi to Frannie.
Our next stop was Leoness Cellars. The word "Leoness" means "village of dreams." Leoness Cellars was founded in 2003 by Mike Rennie and Gary Winder. They have a very fun tasting room.
Dave and Lee wasted no time in showing their better side.
Then it was off to Wiens Family Cellars. Wiens is known for its quality red wines - "Big Reds." Here we are after sampling a few of them. A couple of cheeks look big and red:
It was time for lunch, so we stopped at the Ponte Family Estate. We were advised that it would be a 30 minute wait for a table. No problem, we'll just do a wine tasting while we wait. We chatted with our hostess and discovered that while we were in the Hill Country of Texas, we actually stopped at Mr. Ponte's brother's vineyard near Fredericksburg.
Before we knew it, lunch was served.
Having stuffed ourselves silly, we needed a nice long walk to aid in our digestion. We stopped in Old Town Temecula to wander through the antique shops. Here we stopped for a quick photo op with Santa.
Temecula was inhabited by indigenous people for hundreds of years before their first meeting with the Spanish missionaries. The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians believe their ancestors have lived in the Temecula area for more than 10,000 years. In Pechanga mythology, life on earth began in the Temecula Valley. They call it, "Exva Temeeku", the place of the union of Sky-father, and Earth-mother ("Tuukumit'pi Tamaayowit"). The Temecula Indians ("Temeekuyam") lived at "Temeekunga" – "the place of the sun". Other popular interpretations of the name, "Temecula," include "The Sun That Shines Through The Mist," or "Where the sun breaks through the mist."
The whole day was misty - in fact, as we travelled from winery to winery to Old Temecula, it kept raining more heavily and more heavily. As we walked along the wet boardwalk, we were hoping the sun would break through.
We had one last stop at Europa Village. I would tell you more about it, but after five wineries, everything is a little fuzzy.
In fact, on the drive back to camp, I swear I saw flying horses leaping across the road from hilltop to hilltop!
Thanks, Darla and Lee Ann for a great day.
Temecula Valley is located 500 miles south of San Francisco, resulting in a slightly higher angle to the sun and greater solar intensity. Temecula is in a relatively low rainfall region. However that didn't stop it from raining on us. Extensive research showed that the Temecula Valley was ideal for growing high quality wine grapes as mist often lingers until mid-morning on this 1,400-foot plateau, located below the peaks of the local mountain range.
Our first stop was the Frangipani Estate Winery. The owner, Don Frangipani, has taken French varietals of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Verdot and combined them with old world, Italian styles to create a unique collection of wines. Family owned and operated since 2003, Frangipani Estate Winery offers a dynamic selection of wines with a passion for reds. The also have a Tasting Room cat named Barrel and the cutest dog greeter named Frannie. Say Hi to Frannie.
Our next stop was Leoness Cellars. The word "Leoness" means "village of dreams." Leoness Cellars was founded in 2003 by Mike Rennie and Gary Winder. They have a very fun tasting room.
Dave and Lee wasted no time in showing their better side.
Then it was off to Wiens Family Cellars. Wiens is known for its quality red wines - "Big Reds." Here we are after sampling a few of them. A couple of cheeks look big and red:
It was time for lunch, so we stopped at the Ponte Family Estate. We were advised that it would be a 30 minute wait for a table. No problem, we'll just do a wine tasting while we wait. We chatted with our hostess and discovered that while we were in the Hill Country of Texas, we actually stopped at Mr. Ponte's brother's vineyard near Fredericksburg.
Before we knew it, lunch was served.
Having stuffed ourselves silly, we needed a nice long walk to aid in our digestion. We stopped in Old Town Temecula to wander through the antique shops. Here we stopped for a quick photo op with Santa.
Temecula was inhabited by indigenous people for hundreds of years before their first meeting with the Spanish missionaries. The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians believe their ancestors have lived in the Temecula area for more than 10,000 years. In Pechanga mythology, life on earth began in the Temecula Valley. They call it, "Exva Temeeku", the place of the union of Sky-father, and Earth-mother ("Tuukumit'pi Tamaayowit"). The Temecula Indians ("Temeekuyam") lived at "Temeekunga" – "the place of the sun". Other popular interpretations of the name, "Temecula," include "The Sun That Shines Through The Mist," or "Where the sun breaks through the mist."
The whole day was misty - in fact, as we travelled from winery to winery to Old Temecula, it kept raining more heavily and more heavily. As we walked along the wet boardwalk, we were hoping the sun would break through.
We had one last stop at Europa Village. I would tell you more about it, but after five wineries, everything is a little fuzzy.
In fact, on the drive back to camp, I swear I saw flying horses leaping across the road from hilltop to hilltop!
Thanks, Darla and Lee Ann for a great day.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Poking Around Vail Lake Resort in Temecula
On Sunday, December 1, we arrived at Vail Lake Resort in Temecula, California. The Thanksgiving weekend had just ended. While over half of the 500-plus sites in the campground had been occupied during the weekend, they had virtually emptied out by the time we arrived Sunday afternoon.
Of course, three RV's remained, and one of them was staying late in our site. After some discussions with campground management and the mobile delinquents, we hung out down the road with the cats while they packed up, and eventually we moved into our site.
We woke up Monday and it was VERY cold. The thermometer showed 28F! We didn't think Southern California was supposed to get this cold. So we bundled up and started a long coffee walk around the campground before breakfast to get to know our new home.
Next to the campground is an artist's studio named "Jurassic Park Studio." It's so named because the artist creates sculptures in welded steel. Many of them are horses in action --
-- but some are dinosaurs suspiciously reminiscent of the eponymous lead characters of the movie:
Still others are primitive people --
-- or phantasmagorical phigures:
The campground is full of these huge figures, and some even grace the hillsides above Highway 79 which leads east from Temecula toward the campground.
Today is Wednesday, December 4, and we expanded our horizons by bicycling 2 miles or so out to Vail Lake. We had to pedal up over a range of hills and then down again - guaranteeing that we would have the same epic journey back from the lake.
At the crest of the hills, we could see across to the East, toward Arizona:
The view west toward the center of the campground was perhaps less inspiring, but it shows some of the dirt roads that the campground visitors' BMX bike tear around during the summer and on big holidays. Thank goodness we haven't had all of that noise and activity while we've been here.
The lake itself was a beautiful blue, reflecting the clear sky today. The resort landscapes and waters certain sections of the grounds, and you can see the sprinklers working away in this photo:
Here is another view from the lake shore looking East:
And another one:
The purples in the far mountains echoed in the near hills, and even in the water of the lake:
Back from our lake ride, we kicked back and enjoyed happy hour. Here's a first: a Shadow Happy Hour:
We're nearly the only ones in our section of the campground. Baxter enjoys the peace and quiet, but he misses the activity of other rigs, and doesn't have any strangers' tires to sniff. Because two hawks have taken up residence in the area, we don't appear to have any squirrels, chipmunks or other ground critters. We do have some loud crows, who torture Baxter endlessly. Baxter also loves to watch the leaves dance and run in the wind. He thinks every one of them might be some small critter trying to escape his rifle gaze and his quick chase (NOT). Here's Baxter reconnoitering in front of our trailer and truck:
By 4:30, the sun had gotten so low that it was getting quite chilly outside, so we repaired to the living room, turned on the fireplace, and are listening to Christmas carols while we work on our blog entries. Ta ta for now.
Of course, three RV's remained, and one of them was staying late in our site. After some discussions with campground management and the mobile delinquents, we hung out down the road with the cats while they packed up, and eventually we moved into our site.
We woke up Monday and it was VERY cold. The thermometer showed 28F! We didn't think Southern California was supposed to get this cold. So we bundled up and started a long coffee walk around the campground before breakfast to get to know our new home.
Next to the campground is an artist's studio named "Jurassic Park Studio." It's so named because the artist creates sculptures in welded steel. Many of them are horses in action --
-- but some are dinosaurs suspiciously reminiscent of the eponymous lead characters of the movie:
Still others are primitive people --
-- or phantasmagorical phigures:
The campground is full of these huge figures, and some even grace the hillsides above Highway 79 which leads east from Temecula toward the campground.
Today is Wednesday, December 4, and we expanded our horizons by bicycling 2 miles or so out to Vail Lake. We had to pedal up over a range of hills and then down again - guaranteeing that we would have the same epic journey back from the lake.
At the crest of the hills, we could see across to the East, toward Arizona:
The view west toward the center of the campground was perhaps less inspiring, but it shows some of the dirt roads that the campground visitors' BMX bike tear around during the summer and on big holidays. Thank goodness we haven't had all of that noise and activity while we've been here.
The lake itself was a beautiful blue, reflecting the clear sky today. The resort landscapes and waters certain sections of the grounds, and you can see the sprinklers working away in this photo:
Here is another view from the lake shore looking East:
And another one:
The purples in the far mountains echoed in the near hills, and even in the water of the lake:
Back from our lake ride, we kicked back and enjoyed happy hour. Here's a first: a Shadow Happy Hour:
We're nearly the only ones in our section of the campground. Baxter enjoys the peace and quiet, but he misses the activity of other rigs, and doesn't have any strangers' tires to sniff. Because two hawks have taken up residence in the area, we don't appear to have any squirrels, chipmunks or other ground critters. We do have some loud crows, who torture Baxter endlessly. Baxter also loves to watch the leaves dance and run in the wind. He thinks every one of them might be some small critter trying to escape his rifle gaze and his quick chase (NOT). Here's Baxter reconnoitering in front of our trailer and truck:
By 4:30, the sun had gotten so low that it was getting quite chilly outside, so we repaired to the living room, turned on the fireplace, and are listening to Christmas carols while we work on our blog entries. Ta ta for now.
Clyde Tells It All!
Hi Folks. My name is Clyde. I live at the Wilderness Lakes RV Resort in Menifee, California. It is my job to look after new arrivals and make sure they feel right at home. When Karen and Connie moved in on Monday, December 2nd, I knew right away that I would like them. They seem like fun folks.
It didn't take them long to get settled. They put out their new camping carpet and picnic table covers. I heard them discussing the fact that company was coming on Tuesday. They spent the day spiffing up their rig and cooking up a storm.
On Tuesday, December 3rd, I got the chance to meet their friends, Dave and Kathy. They seemed like nice folks, even though they talked funny. I tried to explain to them that I like to fish in water - not "wudder," but they didn't get it.
Soon after Dave and Kathy's arrival, we took a walk around the campground. This built up a powerful thirst and the urge for some munchies. With wine glasses in hand, they proceeded to share their snacks with me. I did not like ritz crackers or those funny wheat things. However, Connie brought out some great french bread - now you're talking!
After snacks, it was time for a swim. I though they would join me in the canal that runs behind Karen and Connie's RV, but instead the humans went for a soak in a tub full of swirling and bubbling hot water. No hot water for me, man. That is too close to being made into soup!
By the time the humans were done soaking, it was getting dark. I had to get home before the mrs. started missing me. I heard the next day that Connie and Karen had a great time with Dave and Kathy and are looking forward to visiting them at their RV park. Hey, if it is not too far to fly, I think I'll join them.
It didn't take them long to get settled. They put out their new camping carpet and picnic table covers. I heard them discussing the fact that company was coming on Tuesday. They spent the day spiffing up their rig and cooking up a storm.
On Tuesday, December 3rd, I got the chance to meet their friends, Dave and Kathy. They seemed like nice folks, even though they talked funny. I tried to explain to them that I like to fish in water - not "wudder," but they didn't get it.
Soon after Dave and Kathy's arrival, we took a walk around the campground. This built up a powerful thirst and the urge for some munchies. With wine glasses in hand, they proceeded to share their snacks with me. I did not like ritz crackers or those funny wheat things. However, Connie brought out some great french bread - now you're talking!
After snacks, it was time for a swim. I though they would join me in the canal that runs behind Karen and Connie's RV, but instead the humans went for a soak in a tub full of swirling and bubbling hot water. No hot water for me, man. That is too close to being made into soup!
By the time the humans were done soaking, it was getting dark. I had to get home before the mrs. started missing me. I heard the next day that Connie and Karen had a great time with Dave and Kathy and are looking forward to visiting them at their RV park. Hey, if it is not too far to fly, I think I'll join them.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Eddie & George Wake Up On a Horse in Temecula
...at Vail Lake "Resort". They have this huge, 500-site campground all to themselves.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Goodbye to Malibu
Today was our last day in Malibu. We said goodbye to Darla after a hearty breakfast, then turned our focus to getting some chores done in anticipation of our move to Temecula tomorrow and our upcoming trip to visit Matt, Weina, little William and puppy Bubu.
Once our chores were finished, we had a chance to enjoy the brilliant sunshine of this gorgeous day. The water was calm, only a slight breeze, and the temperatures were mild. We sat out near the edge of the campground cliff to enjoy the sunset. Here the setting sun is spraying the palm trees with gold:
Here's a photo of Kathy basking in the setting sun, with some colorful clouds in the background:
We caught the sun in Kathy's sunglasses just before it dipped below the horizon. In the distance, some buildings shone in the reflected light:
Here is how the sun itself looked as it disappeared behind Malibu Point:
The palm trees reached out to the colorful horizon:
Soon it was dark, and the colors of the campground started to show, including the Christmas decorations the campground staff had sprinkled over the office this weekend. We didn't catch the name of the fellow waiting on the bench in front of the office:
So now it's dark and we're finishing the evening, thinking about our move tomorrow, reflecting on this wonderful stay with so much time spent with family and friends. Goodnight, folks. See you in a day or so.
Once our chores were finished, we had a chance to enjoy the brilliant sunshine of this gorgeous day. The water was calm, only a slight breeze, and the temperatures were mild. We sat out near the edge of the campground cliff to enjoy the sunset. Here the setting sun is spraying the palm trees with gold:
Here's a photo of Kathy basking in the setting sun, with some colorful clouds in the background:
We caught the sun in Kathy's sunglasses just before it dipped below the horizon. In the distance, some buildings shone in the reflected light:
Here is how the sun itself looked as it disappeared behind Malibu Point:
The palm trees reached out to the colorful horizon:
Soon it was dark, and the colors of the campground started to show, including the Christmas decorations the campground staff had sprinkled over the office this weekend. We didn't catch the name of the fellow waiting on the bench in front of the office:
So now it's dark and we're finishing the evening, thinking about our move tomorrow, reflecting on this wonderful stay with so much time spent with family and friends. Goodnight, folks. See you in a day or so.
Thanksgiving with Jackie and Darla
Hi Blog. We spent Thanksgiving at our friend Jackie's house in North Hills, California. Our friend, Darla, drove down from Riverside, California, to pick us up. Traffic was terrible, so we didn't get there until after 5:00 p.m. However, we were just in time to get the full effect of Christmas lights.
Jackie and her roomate, Maura, worked overtime to get the decorations up before Thanksgiving, so we could enjoy them during dinner. Here is Kathy bonding with Snoopy and Woodstock.
The buffet table was full of all the traditional Thanksgiving treats - turkey, stuffing, gravy, green beans, yams, corn casserole and mashed potatoes. However, Kathy only had eyes for Jackie's world famous seven layer dip.
Darla drove us back to the RV and spent the night. After breakfast we took a long walk on the Malibu Beach. Jackie joined us around 3:00. We made plans to go to one of our favorite restaurants in Malibu - Gladstone's. Unfortunately, the original owners of Gladestone's sold out and the new owners have taken the restaurant in a new direction. Gone were the peanut shells on the floor, the singing waiters and the tin foil origami wrapped leftovers. However, Dave bonded with our waiter and we managed to get our bread wrapped to go in tin foil.
Back at the RV, Darla and Luckie got a chance to bond.
The cats miss Darla, but they will get one more chance to see her next Saturday. Now, time to wrap some Christmas presents.
Jackie and her roomate, Maura, worked overtime to get the decorations up before Thanksgiving, so we could enjoy them during dinner. Here is Kathy bonding with Snoopy and Woodstock.
The buffet table was full of all the traditional Thanksgiving treats - turkey, stuffing, gravy, green beans, yams, corn casserole and mashed potatoes. However, Kathy only had eyes for Jackie's world famous seven layer dip.
Darla drove us back to the RV and spent the night. After breakfast we took a long walk on the Malibu Beach. Jackie joined us around 3:00. We made plans to go to one of our favorite restaurants in Malibu - Gladstone's. Unfortunately, the original owners of Gladestone's sold out and the new owners have taken the restaurant in a new direction. Gone were the peanut shells on the floor, the singing waiters and the tin foil origami wrapped leftovers. However, Dave bonded with our waiter and we managed to get our bread wrapped to go in tin foil.
Back at the RV, Darla and Luckie got a chance to bond.
The cats miss Darla, but they will get one more chance to see her next Saturday. Now, time to wrap some Christmas presents.
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