Saturday
Day Three of the Great Sonoma Valley Vacation draws to a close.

I’m still having a great time with the “in-laws.”

The fact that it’s sunny and warm-ish doesn’t hurt, either.

It’s odd to think of waking up at 8:30 as “sleeping in,” but there you have it. I woke up and had breakfast with the family-unit. When we finally got into gear (which takes some time when you have ten people – three of whom are 10 and under – trying to get ready), we headed to Sonoma.

We went wine tasting at The Wine Room and Sebastiani. We bought a few bottles to take back behind the Zion Curtain.

When we left Sebastiani, we headed to Sonoma’s Town Square. There was a park surrounded by shops and restaurants. We walked through the park and into some of the shops. From there, it was off to visit Grandma and Grandpa, Charlie (Jess’ uncle) and his family. We hung out there for a while and then Charlie took Jess, Grandma, Grandpa and me (individually) for a spin on his new Harley; it was nice. Very nice. Charlie and Jim got got twin ‘cycles… so I now have to get Jim to take me out for a spin on his bike. It’s all about being an equal-opportunity passenger, don’tcha know?

We came home for dinner (chicken quesadillas) and general family hanging-out. After dinner had settled, Jess, Jenny, Julie, Vikki, Connor and I went to Trader Joe’s and Target. We saw a couple of fashion don’ts. BAD ones. Surprisingly, we haven’t seen as many of those this trip as I would have expected. Oh, well. We still have two days left. Anything can happen. At Target, I saw some of the Justice League Unlimited action figure 3-packs… but they did not have the one with John Stewart in it. Dammit. I’ll have to check the local Toys ‘R’ Us and see if I can find one there.

Stray Toasters

  • I just had a rum and Pepsi night cap. It was close enough to Captain and Coke to get me by. And it was good.
  • :
    1. I like the idea of a party… but it’s going to be at least next weekend before I’m ready for it and I’m pretty sure that Other-Rob’s dance card is going to be pretty full for the next few days, as well.
    2. I hope that you were able to find someone to go to breakfast with you. I tend to forget that these things kind of… fall apart… when I’m not in town. Should I designate you as second-in-command for these things when I’m not around? I’m pretty sure that everyone would step in line if you told them where to go. And how to get there. And if they should wear their gasoline drawers. And if a handbasket is required.
  • The countryside around the wineries in Sonoma is pretty. Lots of trees and green, rolling hills. It reminds me of home – the East Coast, not Utah.
  • Yes, that IS Darius Rucker, of Hootie and the Blowfish fame, dressed up like Glenn Campbell’s proverbial Rhinestone Cowboy in the new Burger King commercials.
  • Be yourself, that’s fine
    Find yourself, there’s time
    Lose yourself, well I’m right here beside you

  • Jim and I picked up bratwurst on the way home tonight. Mm-hmm, that’s right: We’re cookin’ them up on the grill for lunch.
  • I just noticed something on TV Land’s web site: They don’t have the lyrics to the theme from The Andy Griffith Show on the “Unsung Theme Songs” page. No, I don’t know why the song was going through my head at this time of the night, but it was. (I suspect that might have had a hand in it, though.) I have emailed a comment about this to TV Land; we shall see if anything is done about it.

Tomorrow is Easter. I’m looking forward to that. There are three boys here who will wake up and expect Easter baskets and the goodies that go along with them. I don’t expect them to be quiet about that. And that I am not looking forward to. But that’s something with which I will deal after the sun is up.

Happy Easter to you and your families.

Namaste.