Taking a step back in time…

We decided to do that yesterday at Ehrman Mansion Open House at Sugar Pine Point State park at Lake Tahoe. This magnificent mansion and beautiful grounds on the West shore of the lake, once owned by a wealthy banking family from San Francisco, are now maintained by the California State Parks, Sierra District. The mansion is open to the public just one day a year during Living History Day. The highlight of our day was the casual tour of the mansion, where visitors experience the house as it was in the 1930’s. Costumed interpreters are everywhere to answer any of your questions.

The grounds are breathtaking. The property shoreline is about 1-1/2 miles long. Two boathouses --separated by about 1/4 mile of beautiful beach -- house elegant watercraft preserved since the 30’s. Parked on an expanse of lawn near the mansion were vintage vehicles owned by Tahoe Collectors -automobiles of the type in which wealthy visitors used to make the trek from San Francisco in the 1930’s.

So why just a photo of a tree here? I guess it’s just a summary statement of the feeling one gets visiting this beautiful place and setting one’s mind back to that time when only the very wealthy could walk these grounds.

Thanks to my friend Joss, I discovered something I hadn’t known about in the 10+ years living in this area. For a closer look into this place, visit http://www.laketahoelivinghistory.com/.

Happy Fourth of July!

It's a beautiful day in Roseville. 'hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful holiday!

Happy Birthday Donalyn

Here is a composite photo of us celebrating Donalyn's 39th* birthday at Poggio's in Sausalito on June 25th. Getting together with "Uncle Don" and BJ made it a very special evening. A good time was had by all -especially the "Birthday Girl" (that's her hiding behind the guy in the blue shirt).

For those unfamiliar with Poggio's, it is a very nice Italian restaurant that doesn't serve spaghetti & meat balls (I know that doesn't make sense to the folks from Rome, NY) but the food is excellent! Before Donalyn, Kevin, and I called a cab to return to Greenbrae, we took a tour of Don and BJ's room overlooking the bay and with a panoramic view of Angel Island. A beautiful sight on a most wonderful night.

*give or take

Once a sailor…

…always a sailor.

As an old Prindle 16 catamaran sailor and one-time racer, I remember sitting on the beach in Southern California just praying for wind. In the God-given “perfect” weather of San Diego, a breeze seldom materialized before noon. And, when one did, it was rarely more than 6 – 8 knots. Sometimes our races looked more like a Sunday afternoon social sail. We heard of the great breezes in Northern California and some of us were lucky enough to have experienced the wild rides on the lakes there.

Yesterday, I was invited by a special friend to sail on her Prindle 15. She lives on a small lake in Sacramento County and her boat sits on her beach, raring to go. Life vest in hand and wearing my “squishies,” I had great thoughts of, once again, that old cat thrill: knifing through the water at an exhilarating speed, heeling just off the water; a refreshing spray in the face…

So here we are: Northern California, private lake, two experienced sailors, and a sleek cat ready to go. And, what!? …TOO MUCH WIND!??! As we used to say: “blowin’ like snot!…just blowin’ lids off trash cans! Yee hawwww!!!” To much wind! ‘gusts up to 35 knots. We wouldn’t have stood a chance. So, we sipped wine instead and knew there’d be another day…

By the way, for those of you with a sharp eye and may have wondered: Yes, the cat pictured IS a Prindle 15 –specially rigged with a jib.

Jackson is back...

...for a day.

Jackson spent part of the morning with his owners and big sister Lucy at the Roseville Dog Park. So, by the time he arrived at Loco, he was somewhat "de-energized."

After he took a little nap at my feet, we walked to the pond and around the block. Jackson heeled very well. He is a joy to walk and to be with.

He is again napping at my feet as I type this.

Happy Memorial Day 2008

It's a little cool & breezy, but otherwise a beautiful Memorial Day in Roseville.

Today is the quiet day of remembrance and celebrating. Yesterday was the party day. We had a great picnic and dual-birthday celebration with the cake and food supplied by Donalyn & Kevin. Sara & Kyleigh entertained each other almost constantly for 2-1/2 days and joined in a fun game of tag/hide&seek with the Clark girls on Sunday afternoon. Later in the evening the adults played musical chairs with neighbors (sorry, too crazy and involved to go into details on this one!).

Now, on to the next party...

Paradise Bay...

...sounds like a body of water, doesn't it? Actually it is the name of a very nice restaurant in Sausalito, California on a beautiful body of water -part of San Francisco Bay. I met Anne here for lunch today. We had a great lunch and a wonderful conversation. We discussed life, love, politics and everything in between. We went real light on the politics...after all, a Republican in Marin County has to be real careful what he says and how loud he says it. Joking. We really had a nice conversation about politics, current and past. Anne gave me great insight into life in France. She confirmed that which I have felt strongly about for the past few years: that history is not taught to the children in that country with as much emphasis as should be given to the great sacrifice of Americans during WWII to liberate their country from Nazi Germany. People of our generation, both in France and the USA, fully recognize the extreme sacrifices made for freedom during that terrible war. Then again, I sense that the younger generation of this country may not appreciate those sacrifices -and cherish freedom -as much as they should either.

In all, it was a beautiful day on the bay -and two people each came away with a new friend.