California

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Sonoma County, California

	The 5 days we spent in Sonoma County with Barb & Jeff, and with Lydia and John and their friends and family, were some of the best of the trip.  For starters, the weather was beautiful.  The leaves on the grape vines and oak trees were just starting to turn, the sun shone brightly every day, and it was crisp and cool in the evenings, calling for hats, scarves and sweaters (which was a nice change from the heat and humidity in the South).  

	Lydia and John’s wedding on Saturday was likewise beautiful.  It was at the Bodega Bay Yacht Club, right on the ocean, as the sun was setting over Bodega Bay, and windsurfers and kayakers glided over the water in the background.  Lydia’s dad, assisted by members of Lydia’s and John’s immediate families, presided over a short, but really sweet ceremony.  Lyd’s dad opened with a moving rendition of the Princess Bride:  “Luv and mawage, that blessed awangement dat bwings us togevah today…”  It was very funny and great to see Lydia and John, and their family and friends.

	As for the rest of the weekend, we went wine tasting with Barb, Lydia, John and a bunch of other folks in the Russian River area of Sonoma County.   The river gets its name from the Russian settlers who settled the area in the early 1800s.  It truly is beautiful, as it winds and curves its way through the hills, where it dumps out into the ocean below.  Apparently, this area is an excellent place for growing wine, as the wine we tasted was really good (and of course, it got better with each taste!).  That evening, after the second debate, we had a bomb fire in Barb and Jeff’s fire pit behind their house in Sebastopol, listened to some great music, ate some great food, and had the pleasure of Jenny, Matt, Jill, and Sarah Jane’s company too.   

	We also went on beautiful hike with Barb, soaked in natural hot springs at Calistoga Hot Springs in Calistoga (which actually is just over the hill from Sonoma County, in Napa County), listened to some great jazz while dining late night at Hydro Café in Calistoga, went on some great country walks around Barb and Jeff’s house (where we saw wild turkeys, geese, emus, horses, cows, and more), watched USC whoop Cal (well, at least they won), went for a yummy breakfast at Howard’s Café in Occidental, checked out some local “yard art” literally made out of junk in Sebastopol neighborhoods, and had some great home cooked meals, courtesy of Barb and Jeff.  All in all, it was a really relaxing weekend and it was great to spend some time with these guys without the usual distraction of large groups.  Thanks to all!
SONOMA COUNTY