Harmony Vineyards, Harmony CA

I went here with a group of friends as part of a road trip to San Luis Obispo. The town of Harmony is very small, it is essentially one road off of highway 1 with a group of buildings that apparently house a whole 18 residents. Blink, and you miss it. 4 of the 7 of us bought the Harmony Rosé wine (actual name to follow). I bought some apricots in liquer for pouring over ice cream or crepes.

The employees were nice, but in true small-town fashion slow to react. I stood around for a while before they rung up my purchase. There was also a lot of random things for sale, including sparkly frog magnets, and flip-flop coasters for your wine glass.

James Dean Memorial

I don't think I've ever actually stopped here before so I'm listing it. The memorial is 900 yard from the spot James Dean actually died on, and there is a large plaque on the ground at the base of the tree with a lot of info, very little of which I read. It seemed like it might be interesting to true James Dean Fans. I do like the design of the brushed stainless steel sculpture. But there seemed to lack a point there was so much crammed into this space, something about this tree being a tree of life or some such thing, and then a small plaque with a quote from the little prince. too much. The Cafe that shares a parking lot does not let you pee there, so unless you happen to be hungry as you pass this spot, there's really no reason to stop.

Chili's

I went to a new Chili's with my Dad in Concord. It's pretty much the same as every other Chili's in the United States. I'm not a huge fan, as their food is very greasy and fattening. This one did have a fancy green tile wall out front with their name on it.

East Bay Nursery

This weekend I went to the East Bay Nursery I've passed the place many a time, but have never gone. I finally had the opportunity when I needed a blueberry bush that was in bloom to pollinate my existing plant.

I was impressed. It doesn't look like much from the street, but they have an excellent selection of plants and though their prices seem a tad high, they have online coupons and sales. So I walked out of there with three blueberry bushes in one-gallon pots for $30, which is fair.

I will definitly return, but it will be difficult, since I am rarely in Berkeley on the weekends, and they close at 5pm durin the week.

Mozart & Deluna Car Collections

Today I went on a garage tour with the Nor Cal Packard club (who invited the Nor cal Cadillac-laSalle club). First stop was one of John Mozart's garages in Palo Alto. He stopped by in his supercharged Alfa Romeo(pictured above). The collection ranged from cadillac and packards to race cars and even a ford wagon.

Second was Dick Deluna's house in Woodside and his impressive garages. His Barn had a basement full of post-WWII autos and automobilia, and a first floor full of pre-war autos and automobilia. Some highlights were a 1930's Motor home, a crazy race car with an airplane engine, tons of old neon signs (all working).

Love at First Bite

Cupcake bakery. They also make other things, but it mainly about the cupcakes.

I had a matchak Green Tea cupcake it was really odd, but I'm sure it aquired taste and I would not be able to live without them if I had another. I also had some of a coconut on chocolate. I think I would have liked it a little more if it was on vanilla, but it was good.

Gasoline Alley

Today I visited Gasoline Alley in San Carlos, Ca we were holding a board member meeting there. Ray Menefee runs the place, and restore beautiful cars there, such as this pierce-arrow (I think I heard it was a 1934?)

Also on the way here I stoppped at the S. San Francisco downtown strip. It was very cute, but a little run down, it looks forgotten. I think I would like to go back and explore some more there.

Medjool

we went to the Sky Bar at Medjool for Sabrina's Birthday. It was cool, it's on the roof of a building in the mission with great views of the city.

We also went to the Revelucion Cafe, which was cute, and the Velvet Cantina, witch had interesting combos of mexican food. and and odd but cool decor.

Bike Trail through Walnut Creek & Concord

today Jim and I rode our bikes through a couple mile of paved bike trails that go through the wlanut creek/concord areas.

Ft. Bragg and mendocino

This weekend I went to Sea Ranch, I've been there before, so Jim and I did a side trip to Ft. Bragg and Mendocino. First, We drove to Ft. Bragg (only because we flew right past medocino on hiway 1 - was there a sign? I didn't see one) where we stopped at Jenny's Giant Hamburgers. The burgers were good, though neither of us actually had a giant hamburger, we both has the regular sized one. and there was no bathroom so we left after scarfing the burgers down becasue I had to pee. We did not have enough time to take a skunk train ride either. The town was small and cute and look like it was worth more time than we had to give it.

One the way back, we stopped in Mendocino. well, we didn't so much stop, as we drove around and took pictures of dogs in cars. There were TONS of them. Medocino is a tiny little town full of stores to buy crap you don't need in. It remided me of Carmel but smaller and slightly less pretentious. Slightly. I think I gave Mendocino all the time it deserved.

Sea Ranch Chapel

While I've been to Sea Ranch a few times now, I had never been to the Sea Ranch Chapel. It is a samll non-denominational chapel that was built in 1985. I like it a lot because it reminds me of Antonio Gaudi's architecture. Very organic in style as well as materials.