San Francisco

Our last day of vacation before traveling home was spent in the San Francisco area. Wake up was 4:30 AM so we could make the drive from Calistoga to San Francisco. We were concerned about the traffic and wanted to find our tour company with time to spare. It all came together and we were on Fisherman's Wharf in no time at all. Once we found the tour company we had time to grab breakfast at an IHOP a couple of doors down. The weather was shaping up to be another exquisite day. Sunshine, blue sky, and mild temps, it could not have been better.



At 9:00 AM we met at the tour company all set to see Muir Woods National Monument, Sausalito, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz. Our driver / guide was knowledgeable and interesting. As we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, he talked about the area, about red wood trees, animals, history, and other interesting facts. The views were breath taking. The water was blue reflecting the sky. The surrounding hills came right down to the water and held houses, trees, and other vegetation. We wound around up and down the mountains until we reached Muir Woods. This National Monument is an area of coastal redwood trees some more than 300 feet tall. The sequoia redwoods are only found in Sequoia National Park. One other variety of redwood, dawn, is only found in China. These trees live to be more than 2000 years old.



Unfortunately, most of the redwoods in California fell victim to timber companies. One reason Muir Woods escaped a similar fate is their virtual inaccessibility to the loggers. Before they became attractive for logging, the area had been purchased and set aside as a National Monument.



We walked along trails which followed a river. Imagine a dark forest and the sound of a babbling brook. Now imagine the air being cool but not cold. The forest floor was covered with rich, deep green ferns. Giant redwoods reached 300 feet in the air. Sunlight filters through creating interesting displays of shadow and light. Some things are beyond description and their beauty far exceeds any words invented to do so. A couple of times I got a big lump in my throat. That happens in some movies, looking at a newborn baby, or appreciating the beauty of a tree that stood when Jesus walked the earth. If you can, someday, go there. I will hold these things in my mind and heart along side my memories of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.



Back on the bus heading for Sausalito, the drive continued the theme of beauty. We saw a hawk flying between two mountains. The road wound, climbed, and fell abruptly. The bus driver zipped around with the precision and assurance that only comes with many repeated drives along that way. I was busy snapping photos and shooting video.



We arrived in Saucalito in a few minutes and after a few tips about where to eat and what to do, we were on our own for an hour or so. We all opted to buy some fish and chips then walk to the waterfront to eat them. Picturesque and serene, we sat at a picnic table watching boats, guls, and people as we ate the deep fried cod. We were reminded of the afluence of Marin County. The homes in the San Francisco area average about 600 K. I do not know how people can afford to live there. They must make more money than a social worker in Louisiana.



After our quick taste of Sausalito, we were back on the bus heading back to Fisherman's Wharf where we were to board our ferry to Alcatraz. The ride to Alcatraz was only about 15 minutes. I tried to imagine how it might have felt were I riding to a cell instead of on a tour. The contrasts are so obvious. From the island of Alcatraz, the prisoners could see San Francisco. They were surrounded by beauty, but though visible, it was beyond their grasp. Prisoners who went to Alcatraz were from other Federal prisons. The people who could not follow rules and work and play well with others were sent to Alcatraz. The worst of the worst were its denizens.



The tour began with a 12 minute video, then we were given headphones and a little remote control. The audio directed listeners through the prison. It was well produced and the voices were from actual guards and prisoners. Sound effects were also used to make the experience more real. It was eerie walking through the prison listening to the narration. This tour had a real impact on me. Not that I felt sorry for the people who had been imprisoned there, but I did have regard and respect for anyone who endured such an ordeal. Again, the view of San Francisco for the prisoners to see is like letting a starving man smell food, but preventing him from eating.



The ride back provided more views of the city and opportunities to drink in the bay area beauty. Once back on shore, we did some shopping in the Fisherman's Wharf area. Eventually, we hopped a cable car and rode it to China Town. We ate at a little Chinese restaurant. The people were friendly and the food was good.



It was dark now and we had to be getting back to Oakland. We had planes to catch in the AM to head back home. Our little vacation was over, but we packed a lot in a few days. I ran the length of the Napa Valley, ate at a mountain top home, toured wineries, saw ancient redwoods, visited Alcatraz, and ate in China Town. Not bad for three days.



If you missed them yesterday, check out my California photos today.



Until the next time

John Strain

Wine Country

The Napa Valley is 30 miles long and 5 miles across at its widest point. A creek flows from the north end of the valley and becomes a navigable river by the time it reaches Napa at the south end of the valley. There are some 300 vineyards in the valley, which account for 4% of the world's wine production.



The valley has what they call micro climates and varieties of soil. Each combination of climate and soil are just right for a particular grape and kind of wine. Therefore, Napa Valley produces many different wines.



We stayed in the north end of the valley in Calistoga. Calistoga was developed in the 1860's. Its name is reputed to have been accidentally coined by town founder Sam Brannan. Brannan apparently intended to refer to it as the "Saratoga of California", the "Saratoga" referring to the well known spa area in New York State. Brannan, having had a few drinks, instead came out with "the Calistoga of Sarafornia". Calistoga it stayed.



The area is over hot springs and north of town is a geyser, named Old Faithful. It spews boiling water about every 30 minutes or so. The hot springs are used by spas for their mineral baths and by everyone else for a cheap source of hot water.



After the race, and an afternoon of rest, we had a dinner invitation at a home up in the mountains. It was our dumb luck to have the opportunity. A friend of Neal's, parents live in the Napa Valley. He was going to be at his mother's house at the same time we were to be in the area, therefore the invite.



The drive was beautiful and included very steep roads to the top of a mountain, which represented the highest point from where we were to the Pacific Ocean. The kicker was who these folk’s neighbors were. Paloma vineyards was next door. Last year, Wine Spectator magazine rated one of the Paloma wines #1 in the world. Yes, we got to drink some. All of this was somewhat wasted on me. I am in no way a wine connoisseur. Still, I was impressed and enjoyed the ability to see how the locals live.



Our hosts were wonderful. They grilled tuna steaks and completed the meal with baked potatos, asparagus, and salad. Desert was a brownie with whipped cream and rasberries. It was by far the best meal we had on our trip.



Monday morning we got up early and drove half way down the valley to take pictures before breakfast. We ate at a little cafe in Calistoga, then drove to see the geyser. One extra at the geyser, was a four day old fainting goat. Apparently, these goats got their name because if they get really nervous or stressed, they faint. The little one was very cute.



The area was so pretty. The yellow wild flowers were everywhere. Trees were blooming, some with white blossoms and some with pink blooms. The mountains changed like a kaleidoscope as the sun cast ever changing shadows. The color spectrum was rich and full - a real treat for the eyes.



We spent the rest of the day touring wineries. The two we chose were Berringer and Sterling. Berringer is the oldest winery, which has been in continuous operation. They date back to the mid 1800's. The grounds were neatly manicured and the central point was the old Berringer House, which appears on their label.



The extent of this tour was walking through a large door leading to a hewn out cave in the hillside. Wine is fermented and aged in this area. The wineries use the in ground wine cellars because the temperature stays at a steady 58 degrees. If you remember the movie, A Walk In the Clouds, the scene where the father in law was getting his perspective son in law drunk, was filmed in this Berringer cave.



At the conclusion of the tour we were led into a room to taste three wines. We then walked around the grounds and wound up in the Berringer House to sample a few more wines. We sat on the porch looking across a beautiful lawn, pink blooming trees and blue mountains in the distance. The weather could not have been more perfect. What a peaceful, relaxing setting.



Our next tour was the Sterling Winery. The novelty of Sterling is it sits atop a mountain. We rode a ski lift type car to the top of the mountain. The tour was self-guided, so we took our time and enjoyed it. I was much more impressed with the setting. We were surrounded with mountains. It was a photographer's paradise.



As we concluded the tour, we went to the wine tasting area. We were seated at a table on an outside porch allowing us to soak up the splendor and grandeur a little more as we sipped our small glasses of wine.



A day of tasting wine can be taxing, especially if you ran a marathon the previous day. Neal and I were feeling it as we climbed up and down what seemed to be millions of stairs. So we opted to go back to the hotel and split a six-pack of brew while the ladies went for some shopping. Later on we ate at a Mexican restaurant in town. It was a full and pleasant day. Tomorrow would be our San Francisco / Muir Woods visit, but not before some welcomed sleep.



Check out my California pictures



Until the next time

John Strain

Yard Work Beckons

While I have been out preparing for and accomplishing lofty goals, haha, my yard has gotten away from me. Today is reckoning day. The weather is bright and sunny. Temp to settle in the mid 70's - I have to tackle the yard. Therefore, instead of writing my post now, I will do it later after I improve my curb appeal.



Have a nice Saturday

John Strain

The Race

It was a cool morning, probably 45 degrees. Our hotel was only a few blocks from the start so we walked. Just before a race, runners have two major tasks. First is to pee. There were about 30 port-o-pottys for this task. The lines were long and I had about 20 minutes. I counted about that many in my port-o-potty line so I knew I would be pressed for time. Standing amongst all of the people, 2200 runners plus support staff and spectators, it was warm. I was wearing a light wind breaker I intended to take off and put in my bag just before the start of the race. I was getting nervous, because time was running out. The National Anthem was sung and I had about five minutes. I did get to pee. The next task was to take my bag with clothes for the shower at the end, to the "sweat bus." The road was narrow and the runners were in their position to start the race. I was pushing through the throng saying excuse me as I bulled my way to the front. I broke free of the crowd and ran to the bus. The countdown began. Throwing my bag in the direction of a staff member, I took off running back to the starting line. I was on the front row. Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, BANG! Just like that 2200 pairs of shoes began moving down the Silverado Trail that connects Calistoga to Napa from the North to the South of the valley. We were running into the sun. The runners were in silhouette against a backdrop of colorful mountains, meadows, and fog. As I ran, the fog caused smoky shadows to form and the whole scene had a surreal quality. A news helicopter hovered overhead drowning out the songs of birds and an otherwise peaceful Napa Valley day.



I wanted to drink in the scenery. Hoping to ignore my body and pass a few miles would shorten the run for me psychologically. So we ran along a rolling, winding, two-lane road. The rhythmic sound of shoes hitting the pavement followed, thump, thump, thump. As the road wound around the mountains, we were in and out of the sun. It warmed quickly and became quite comfortable. I ran my first mile in 7:53 a tad fast so I backed off some. I would run between 8:00 and 8:30 for about 18 miles with the exception of miles 15 (had to pee) and 17 (started getting tired.)



The trick is to run 10 miles without thinking much. Concentrate on the next 10, then hold on for the final 10 K. I was feeling tired around mile 12, but held on. By mile 18 I was slowing down and had to gut it in the rest of the way.



I have run 4 other marathons, so I knew I was in for a long day. This race was my toughest psychologically. I was really tired and had to do some fancy talking to keep myself in the game. The marathon is funny. Two weeks ago, I ran 22 miles and knew I could have finished the remaining 4 without a problem. The day of the race was different. You never really know how you are going to feel.



Instead of averaging about 8:11 per mile as I had anticipated, I averaged 9:03 per mile. I finished 57th out of 122 in my age group (men 45 - 49) and I placed 531 out of 2200.











One of the most beautiful sights is the finish line. For nearly four hours I was moving toward that finish line. The road was lined with lots of enthusiastic people cheering the runners on. It was a pick up and helped move me down the road across the line. Few things are as satisfying as to stop running after four hours. A swing band was performing. People were milling around. Runners were telling their stories of the race. It was a festival atmosphere.



I completed my goal, but not as I had hoped. Therefore, I am toying with running a marathon in Kansas City on May 29. After another two months of training, I should do just the way I want. I guess I will have to see.



Neal and I bought a six pack and went back to the hotel. The wives did some shopping. Later in the afternoon I had a massage. We were staying at a spa so it all worked out nicely.



I think the marathon has always appealed to me because I do not get physical exercise in my regular job. Being able to run a marathon makes me feel I am in shape. I also like it because it is measurable. My work is often not measurable, certainly not in the way a marathon is. I do not think everyone should run a marathon or that people who run them are any better than people who do not run them. To me, the marathon is one kind of goal. It meets my needs and interests, but is far from the needs and interests of others. I write this disclaimer in case all my marathon talk has come across in some unintended way.











Until the next time

John Strain

Home Sweet Home

I had a great time in California. You will soon hear about all of it. At this moment though, I am just thankful to be back home. I was only gone five days, but that was long enough to make home look better. Now, I get the credit card bills, the unpacking, and the catching up at work. A friend of mine's mother used to say, "if you want to dance to the music, you have to pay the piper." The dancing is over and the piper has his hand extended.

Scenes like this one lined the marathon course. These wildflowers add to the already rich color in the Napa Valley. It was a visual feast. The unseasonably warm weather added to the comfort and enjoyment of the trip.



We often dog air travel, but what a miracle it is. This morning (Wednesday) I stepped into a magic vehicle which transported me from the Pacific Ocean nearly to the Atlantic Ocean and half way back - all before 5:30 PM. When I do something like this - plan and go on a vacation somewhere I have never been - I often think to myself, "why didn't I do this sooner?" Travel is one of the most invigorating, refreshing things we can do. It jolts us out of our routine and massages our senses in fresh new ways. New sights, new sounds, new smells and tastes. When is your next trip? Don't have one planned? My prescription - make plans. It does not have to cost a lot of money, but even if it does, you won't be sorry. We were not put on this earth to go to work every day of your life and never have fun. Don't wait for retirement, you may not live that long. Today is the day, now is the time. DO IT! I am pretty confident you will not be disappointed.



I have missed reading about my blog pals and missed writing. I guess I have a "blog jones" for sure. I will take the next few days to describe my fun. One day will cover the race. Another blog will be about wine country, and the third post will cover our San Francisco area sightseeing. But for now, my own bed awaits. Ahhh! the first night back in my own bed. Nothing like it.



Until the next time

John Strain