California's North Shore

June 17-20, 2002

June 17 - Headed for the wine country of Napa and Sonoma valleys. We visited the Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma. It was advertised as the oldest winery in this important wine producing area of California. We didn't know it when we went there, but it turns out that the Hungarian who started it also started the Wollersheim winery in Sauk City WI, which is about 30 miles from Madison. He left the Wollersheim winery because of problems with the vines freezing in the cold Wisconsin winters and headed for the milder climate of California. The Buena Vista wines were good, but pricey.

Next we visited the Sonoma mission, which is currently a state park. The mission was started by General Vallejo while California was under Mexican control to counter the Russian settlement at Fort Ross on the northern California coast.  The Sonoma mission is also where the California flag was raised to declare the separate California republic, which lasted about 2 weeks, before California became part of the U.S. As an ex-Californian I learned (or relearned - not sure which) some important history of my former state. 

That night Nancy and I stayed with my niece, Jenny, and her husband, Tommy, in Santa Rosa. We had a great time catching up on family news.

June 18 - headed for the California coast. It is a rugged and beautiful coast. Highway One follows the coastline closely and is a very challenging driving experience. Nancy kept saying, "Keep your eyes on the road and quit watching the scenery!"

California coastline north of  Jenner, Calif.

Fort Ross is another California historical state park. It is a reconstruction of the southernmost Russian outpost in America. It was started by the Russians in 1812 as a place to grow food for their outposts in Alaska. It did not prove to be profitable and they sold it to John Sutter (of gold rush fame) in 1841. This shot is of the chapel inside the fort.

Harbor seals lounging in the sun at Salt Point State Park.

This harbor seal was curious of me (or concerned about me) and came closer to investigate this person getting too close to his home.

June 19 - headed to Hayward for a visit with my sister, Beryl, and her husband, Dick. Had a great visit catching up on what is happening with her "tribe" of children, grand children, great grandchildren, etc.

June 20 - went to San Jose for a one day training class on how to use some commercial orbital mechanics computer software. I hope to insert it into the course I teach. I bet you thought that I had retired! Fooled you! I haven't totally given up teaching yet.