California Streaming

Here's another road hint for the inexperienced RVer: DO NOT DRIVE FROM PALM SPRINGS TO SAN FRANCISCO IN ONE DAY. While it seemed like a wonderful idea in the planning stages, leaving at 4:15 a.m. and arriving at your destination 11 hours later is bad, bad, bad. That being said, it was lucky we left when we did because we were able to get around LA before the REAL rush hour. We just hit the early rush hour that evidently begins at 5 a.m. Because the wind was 30 mph one minute and 5 mph the next, Don was driving the bus and I was in the Jeep giving him minute by minute traffic and exit updates.

Once we got north of Los Angeles, even the mountains looked better because there was actually some green with purple spring flowers. As we drove into central CA, the valleys were full of fruit trees, grapes lined up for miles, and to-be-veggies. However, the green was interspersed with brown -- still no grass. When we finally drove across the Oakland bridge and onto US 101, we thought we had arrived (but it was still an hour to get to Petaluma, CA).

Did I mention that there seems to be more cars on the highways in California then I've ever seen? The New Jersey Turnpike and Detroit freeways were weenie by comparison. If every person who drives at least 1 mile in CA, were to anti up just $1 on 1 day, we might be able to eliminate the national debt.

Petaluma is a delightful town just 40 miles north of San Francisco. Great Victorian era homes, wonderful views, charming old downtown with class, and one of the best Italian restaurants in which we've ever eaten (think sea bass in a light sauce with capers, etc.). Also a Fresh Market and Trader Joe's. And, yes, grass. The green kind and lots of it. They've used the town for movies because it looks like the Americana of yesteryear: "American Graffiti", "Peggy Sue Got Married", "Basic Instinct".

Today we headed up 101 to Healdsburg to the heart of the Sonoma County wine country. We could have spent 3 or 4 days just exploring Healdsburg and all of the wineries around it. But we only had 4 hours. We also found the Russian River which, wouldn't you know it, winds through the Russian River Valley, home to some of California's best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Here's the really bad news: Despite thinking it 'should' be, wine is not less expensive at the wineries. However, there are many more choices then Costco. We WILL return so watch out.

We hit the road tomorrow morning about 7 a.m., turn left onto US 101 and drive until we run into Crescent City, CA and up to Newport, OR on Saturday.