On the Road again.... Napa California

[Joe 90]

Now he is having a Vodka Cranberry and me a beer watching NBA playoffs.


I will be heading up to the local casino for a bit of poker. I will post up some pics. Been awhile since I sat in on a table

Good stuff and magic moments.

Btw don't get caught counting cards

[ootai]

Good stuff and magic moments.

Btw don't get caught counting cards

There is no risk of that Stumpy only has 10 fingers and there are 52 cards in a deck!

While the main reason for your visit home is not necessarily a happy one I am envious of how you are managing it all and seemingly having fun as over time we tend to only remember the happy bits and try and forget the sad parts.

[Stumpy]

There is no risk of that Stumpy only has 10 fingers and there are 52 cards in a deck!

While the main reason for your visit home is not necessarily a happy one I am envious of how you are managing it all and seemingly having fun as over time we tend to only remember the happy bits and try and forget the sad parts.

Thanks ootai. An additional challenge is also keeping my wife entertained. So I am caring for both parents and trying to keep my wife out and about. Up here in Saint Helena its a small community and my wife doesn't know anyone and there isn't a lot to do. Once you have done the wine tours etc its like going to Temples in Thailand, you don't want to go again. At home in Thailand she is always busy. When she comes here, its downtime which she doesn't manage well so it can be a handful. But hey, I always find ways to laugh and have fun.

[Joe 90]

When she comes here, its downtime which she doesn't manage well so it can be a handful.

Doesn't she have tiktok etc??

[DrWilly]

Once you have done the wine tours etc its like going to Temples in Thailand, you don't want to go again.

Bollocks to that. I'm happy to visit wineries and tastings all day long.

[Stumpy]

Bollocks to that. I'm happy to visit wineries and tastings all day long.

Yeah I suppose if you are a wine drinker. I should have been more clear on that DW. Now if they were Bourbon or Craft beer distilleries you probably couldn't keep me out of them.

One thing for sure. None of them are cheap to do the taste tours nowadays.

[aging one]

One thing for sure. None of them are cheap to do the taste tours nowadays.

4 years ago some Sonoma Vineyards were still free for tasting, but Napa had really changed. I am glad I grew up in the area and could take advantage of all the nice tasting rooms while they were free and not so pretentious.

[Stumpy]

4 years ago some Sonoma Vineyards were still free for tasting, but Napa had really changed. I am glad I grew up in the area and could take advantage of all the nice tasting rooms while they were free and not so pretentious.

Absolutely AO. I remember going to some good winery parties. Music and free wine. Now they are expensive and if you aren't a wine drinker it just doesn't make sense to go.

[mudcat]

I remember the Korbel spakling wine (none dare call it Champaign these days) tours being both free and educational (and with a generous tasting session at the end). PLUS I got a new word for my vocabulary , riddling and a secondary meaning for an old favorite, must.

[CalEden]

And not a word about how devastating the Warriors were! Maybe too much of the cranberries and that handmade stuff!

[Stumpy]

And not a word about how devastating the Warriors were! Maybe too much of the cranberries and that handmade stuff!

Good Point. They played like a playoff team. Game 2 tonight. Lets see how they play.

[sabang]

4 years ago some Sonoma Vineyards were still free for tasting, but Napa had really changed.

It has gone, or is going, the same way here sadly. No bargains to be had either- you can get the same wine a lot cheaper from a bulk retailer than cellar door.
I only go to the Barossa or Mclaren Vale for one reason these days- a nice lunch. Wine country and good eating do go together.

[Stumpy]

Down in San Jose at cousins place. Few pics from my walk this morning



Commuter traffic still light these days even though Covid constraints have been virtually all lifted.



My wife likes this area as it has a very diverse population and restaurants and stores to cater to those needs.



One thing that I do truly miss from home in Thailand is having plenty of coffee shops. Here sadly the only readily available places are either Starbucks or Pete's. There are random hole in the wall places but they are not very common.



Gas has come down a few pennies over the last few days but not much. Diesel remains crazy high. Regular still at $5.75 a gallon.



So funny taking my walk/jog in the morning. There are lots of apartments, townhouses and condo's near my cousins house. Why in the world people would want to own a dog and live in one is beyond me. I see lots of people out in their Pajamas with their dog on a leash waiting while it sniffs the lawn so it will drop a deuce. Then they have to pick its shit up. What's sad is these people pick up the shit in the bag, then throw the bag on the ground versus taking it back to their house. There is a significant fine if caught not picking up your dogs crap or tossing the bag on the lawn or in the gutter.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

Commuter traffic still light these days even though Covid constraints have been virtually all lifted.

My daughter who lives near LA said that gas there is $6 a gallon. If that's true, it might have something to do with the light commuter traffic, perhaps more people are choosing Mass transportation nowadays.

[Stumpy]

My daughter who lives near LA said that gas there is $6 a gallon. If that's true, it might have something to do with the light commuter traffic, perhaps more people are choosing Mass transportation nowadays.

As you know BB, mass transportation in the US is pretty poor. Some huge metro areas have some descent systems but California, no way. It's an inconvenience to most to catch public transportation. So they will endure the super high gas prices. It's big talk with everybody I have caught up with. The good thing though, from the Covid pandemic many are still able to work remotely which saves commuting.

[Stumpy]

Trip so far going well. Getting parents affairs in order and adding some safety and convenience things around there place. Been giving my dad a break on my Moms Chemo treatment so he can stay home and I am taking her. It's about 3.5 hour process. One thing about Pancreatic cancer is you don't get better. So people say things like Is your Mom getting better? I correct them and says she is comfortable but she isn't getting better. It's a management process.

My Dad and I have been watching the Warriors play every game and fun to do it real time versus 8,000 miles apart. I ordered him a new BBQ pit which has arrived. I will set up and break it in with some Ribeyes.

[DrWilly]

If you don’t mind me asking, how’s your father going to be looking after himself and whatnot once your mom passes on?

[Stumpy]

If you don’t mind me asking, how’s your father going to be looking after himself and whatnot once your mom passes on?

Honestly that is a huge unknown DW. We have discussed it but its a tough discussion. My Dad cannot move with us to our Thailand compound. Primarily as he is set up here with all his comfortable things and you know old folks get very anxious when they might leave their routine and doctors. So he will likely stay here alone. I guess its a bridge I will cross when it happens

What's really sad is my brother lives about 1 hr away and never comes and visits and has a laundry list of poor excuses. He has been to see them 1 times in 2 years for about 2 hrs. It really disappoints my parents but I stay out of it.

[Stumpy]

Out and about for the day.



We stopped off at our local little Vietnamese restaurant and had Pho and Spring Rolls.

[bsnub]

He has been to see them 1 times in 2 years for about 2 hrs.

Wow! That hurts the heart to hear.

We stopped off at our local little Vietnamese restaurant and had Pho and Spring Rolls.

Did the same myself a few days ago. Pho like sushi is a regular thing in my rotation.

[Stumpy]

Wow! That hurts the heart to hear.

Yeah. What ya gonna do Snubs. I used to call him from Home in Thailand and ask him to go check on them and he said he was busy. I just gave up.

[Stumpy]

Few more pics of the visit



Met up with a long time friend in downtown San Jose for a bit of catch up and a few drinks on Friday. We went to the Whiskey bar we have frequented for years. We closed the place with a $600+ bar tab. . We decided to enjoy some pours of Pappy and WP Boss.



Being Marijuana is sold legally, There are Vape and Smoke places everywhere. That poor guy was disappointed to find out it wasn't open yet.



Wife, cousin and I did a Winchester Mystery house tour. Wife had never been.













Various pics



Well visit and business done in the bay area. Back on the road again back to Saint Helena

[DrWilly]

Grand old house. Why was it a mystery tour? They take you to random houses?

[Stumpy]

Grand old house. Why was it a mystery tour? They take you to random houses?

Oh it's built way back and lots of odd things happened.

[Joe 90]

What's really sad is my brother lives about 1 hr away and never comes and visits and has a laundry list of poor excuses. He has been to see them 1 times in 2 years for about 2 hrs. It really disappoints my parents but I stay out of it.

That's family for you.

What's sad is these people pick up the shit in the bag, then throw the bag on the ground versus taking it back to their house.

I often sling my full doggy poo bags in certain peoples gardens who have done me an injustice in the past, quite enjoy it.

Back on the road again back to Saint Helena

Enjoying the pics and road trip Stumps, safe travels.