"Stayin Alive" in Northern California

Harris Ranch Resort (stock internet picture)

Our roots didn't have time to settle much from our NY trip when, three weeks later, we hitched up "The Villa" (small travel trailer) and headed to northern California. An hours' drive from San Francisco is Sebastopol; our dear friend Steve lives there as a SOWER-on-assignment (sowerministry.org). It was our intent to spend the week's time visiting without sightseeing. We allowed 3-days/2-nights to travel to Sebastopol. One night's stop was Harris Ranch Resort: resort/restaurant/cattle ranch 🐄. We enjoyed a Prime Rib dinner (😊) and parked for the night as permittable. The next day, we completed our trek to Sebastopol but first, stopped for lunch at a favorite Chinese restaurant in Dublin, CA - "The Mayflower". According to Noreen, this restaurant has "THE MOST WONDERFUL" hot chili oil-paste!! So much, that we purchased a pint.

"The Mayflower"


We are aware that Steve practices a special diet, so Noreen spent time researching recipes and specifically shopped to gather needed ingredients for our meals while in Sebastopol. She was quite impressed of the availability of items for the targeted recipes. 



Celebrated an early Thanksgiving too.


Steve resides at Mt. Gilead Bible Camp & Conference Center amongst the Redwoods - a beautiful facility. He secured a site (for us) right next to his home - we had full-hookups.

Our daily morning routine was coffee & conversation in his home; our daily evening routine was gathering for dinner & conversation in The Villa. One evening, we were treated to his favorite restaurant, and later, connected with his son for a visit. 

Prior to our Sebastopol visit, we knew we'd encounter rain. What we did not anticipate was 10 inches in 4 days! Hah, Noreen was like..."Bring it on!" She loved it. This did not keep us from hopping next door for precious time with each other. 

Both of us took delight in the camp's weekly-meal with Steve and the other residents on the property. It was really nice to place-a-face to names we only heard but, had not met...even while on a previous visit.

While planning our CA trip, we synchronized our itinerary to take in a touring Bee Gees tribute band, so we secured reservations for the performance. It was a slow start, but in short order got the multi-generational audience dancing!! It was fun entertainment and a great concert. The concert was held at the lovely Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco just across the Golden Gate Bridge from our direction. The bridge is a must see in and of itself. And perhaps, on a future visit (to Steve), we could take advantage and spend a full-day touring the Palace of Fine Arts - a monumental structure.





Our route home was planned via Hwy-1 (aka Pacific Coast Hwy), south to Santa Barbara. We pulled into a scenic view spot and enjoyed lunch overlooking the ocean. Later, constant heavy rain and fog dampened (heh, heh) our planned coastal sightseeing so, we turned inland and headed back to the sweet dryness of the Sonoran desert 🌵. 

                                                      


                   One night at a truck stop, another at a casino, and we were back in the Old Pueblo. 

                                                            

             🤠 "Hasta luego" 🤠

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM

    You guys do the coolest things.
    We also did a Bee Gees tribute band here in Tucson.
    God's speed.
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  2. Steve BaldwinMay 12, 2025 at 6:01 PM

    Dear Rick and Noreen,
    Wow what a beautiful job of creating the story of your adventures to Northern California to see me and the wonderful journey home. What a memory of all that rain coming down yet, we had a wonderful time. Rick is really blessed to have a gourmet cook for a wife. I enjoyed our time together, dining and fellowshipIng. It was great to reminisce of our times together in Tucson and our future plans.😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rick and NoreenMay 12, 2025 at 6:24 PM

      We love you Steve. We love visiting you!

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM

      Awww, Steve thank you. You gave us many sweet memories.

      Delete

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