Dear Family, Friends, and Diary,
We have big plans for travel, but we need to re-start with a more humble travel: a couple days with friends up in Sonora, in the California gold country.
As we generally do, we started off with a good meal: breakfast at the Wild Fig in Coarsegold. The springlike weather was perfect for al fresco dining. From there, we went to Mariposa to give Carla its breakfast. We probably did not absolutely need to charge, but the road from Mariposa to Sonora is hilly, twisty, and about as empty as any highway in California. Much of the road is beyond cell phone coverage, even though it has been settled for as long as almost anywhere in the Silicon Valley state.
In Sonora, our friends the Michauds welcomed us to their home. We started with a garden tour and a couple hours of chit chat. I have known Ted since the University of Portland, 50 or 60 years ago, when we were just a little bit younger. He and Nancy are some of our favorite friends to chat with.
(And the garden had great blossoms for my "normal" pictures.)
We then got in their scooter-friendly van for a visit out to the Indigeny Reserve apple ranch. (I didn't realize a place that grows apple trees can be a "ranch", but that's what the young owners prefer. The decade-old operation produces hard cider, brandy, and apple-based vodka. Unfortunately, our current health regime prevents sampling, but the visit was pleasant.
After the cider non-tasting, we headed into town for dinner at The Armory. I think the establishment focuses on drinks and parties, but we enjoyed tasty-enough food, surrounded by exuberant youth. It was all good.
From there is was more chatting at home, before turning in early - as is our on-the-road practice.
On Sunday morning it was our turn to pay for breakfast and, after passing on a crowded -n-town cafe, Nancy drove us up to The Columbia House Restaurant in the eponymous tourist park that celebrates the gold rush. It was a pleasant venue, quiet enough for chatting, and our dishes and service were good. Could not ask for more
.
After breakfast, we had a couple more hours before we needed to head out. We solved more world problems. We promised to return, and we will.
For the drive back, we took the shorter route, via Highway 99. Marianne won the rights to that part of our trip and I was glad to cede to her the pleasure of driving one of America's most dangerous highways. It's almost like this highway's purpose is to isolate-by-inconvenience Fresno from other places in California.
Now we are home and looking forward to real travel, after next week's Fourth of July barbecue.
Stay tuned.
John and Marianne.