Diva's Road Trip ~ Part Deux

sierragirrl · 06-30-2011, 11:16 PM

don't forget to make sure all the routes your gonna take are all open. i saw on the news about the fire in N.M.
we just got back from a road trip from Nor Cal to OKC and back. i loved it. Utah is not so purdy in some areas.
have a safe trip

Diva · 06-30-2011, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sierragirrl

don't forget to make sure all the routes your gonna take are all open. i saw on the news about the fire in N.M.
we just got back from a road trip from Nor Cal to OKC and back. i loved it. Utah is not so purdy in some areas.
have a safe trip

Yes, I'm keeping my eye on those fires!
I'm going the southern route on I-10 until Tucson.
My cousin lives close to the AZ fires, but they're almost contained.
I won't get on I-40 until I leave her home and pop up to Flagstaff.
Then there's a small fire in CO that is also close to where I'm staying, but I believe it's nearly contained, and should be totally contained by the time I roll through.

Thank You! I'm bringing weinies and graham crackers, Hershey bars and marshmallows, just in case!

Greyson · 07-01-2011, 12:18 AM

What kind of Soccer Mom Van will you be driving on your road trip? How many miles on it? Be sure you have her into the shop for maintenance and inspection before you make the trip.

I was not surprised to read about your 38. I like a trusty 38 myself. I realize 38's are somewhat out dated. Seems many want a Glock as their hand gun of choice.

I am looking forward to reading about your road trip adventures. What I remember vividly from your previous road trip blog was your pic of you, G and the giant Shuttle Cock.

Galahad · 07-01-2011, 01:21 AM

Diva, I did have a can of faf explode. But, the can I have now has been in the trunk for years. It's in an old insulated lunch bag and no problems. It's really hot here too and the car sits in a parking lot all day all summer, avg. temp. 108.
Be safe. Even if you have to buy a new valve stem later.

Dominique · 07-01-2011, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greyson

What kind of Soccer Mom Van will you be driving on your road trip? How many miles on it? Be sure you have her into the shop for maintenance and inspection before you make the trip.

I was not surprised to read about your 38. I like a trusty 38 myself. I realize 38's are somewhat out dated. Seems many want a Glock as their hand gun of choice.

I am looking forward to reading about your road trip adventures. What I remember vividly from your previous road trip blog was your pic of you, G and the giant Shuttle Cock.

Hand guns are a subject I rarely talk about, its too controversial. And the few people who like to do the rumor thing, (

) did a smear of me about hand guns, and all I did was mention I owned one. Anyhow......

I have this great little 25 that I have hollow points loaded into. This is not my handgun of choice, but, when I am out on my bicycle and many miles from home and sometimes civilization. One can become very vulnerable.(one of my bicycles is worth the price of an average used car) This very small hand gun has laser sights on it. I learned this at the NRA convention that was held here a few months ago. (I traded the old 25 in and bought this new one) Of course do not carry a hand gun if you can not use it. But second, you set the laser sights on someone......you've freaked them the hell out....and 98% of the time they will go the other way saying to them self "oh oh, wrong person"

I appologize if this was a derail...back to the travel channel.

Diva · 07-03-2011, 11:38 PM

Alright, everyone! Departure is at hand!
I'll be leaving tomorrow evening between 5 & 6.....driving to San Antonio tomorrow evening, checking into the hotel and go to dinner at Boudro's on the River Walk where my daughter is a server! I'm so excited as this was my all~time favorite restaurant when I came down for TMEA conventions!

Then early Tuesday morning, I'll be on my way (going to San Antonio tomorrow actually cuts about an hour and a quarter off my Tuesday drive....so it's all good)!!

My bags are packed.
My car has been serviced (complete with 4 new tires that SING, btw!).
I will load up the car tomorrow afternoon, make like a baby and head out!

Martina · 07-04-2011, 12:08 AM

"May the wind take your troubles away
Both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel
May the wind take your troubles away" -- "Windfall" by Son Volt

Diva · 07-04-2011, 09:40 AM

The car is just about loaded up!
I'm going to run a few last~minute errands and then be on my way to San Antonio to spend the evening with my daughter and her bf!
Tomorrow, it begins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let the WEST COAST ROAD ADVENTURE BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

swan · 07-09-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greyson

I was not surprised to read about your 38. I like a trusty 38 myself. I realize 38's are somewhat out dated. Seems many want a Glock as their hand gun of choice.

The 38 is old fashioned, not out-dated.... I prefer a 38 myself... But I'm silly that way! And also sad because it appears Diva blew through my town and I missed it! Why, why must I always find the thread a day late and a dollar short?

But I can't wait for more updates!

Diva · 07-10-2011, 10:12 AM

Oh no, Swan! That would have been neat!

I'm in Windsor, CA now, at the home of my precious daughter's bf's family (didja get that?). They had a birthday party for said bf and I walked in just as dinner was about to be served! (Good timing....I can smell sangria at 30 miles....just sayin'!)

ANYway, bf's Dad ~ Dr. Bob ~ kept bringing me alcohol. I kept drinking it. And I'm not sure how I managed not to get drunk, but maybe my tiredness countered it. I had 3 glasses of sangria, 2 glasses of a cab that I didn't think I'd like and loved. A glass of rose` ~ or was it 2? And then finished it off with 2 glasses of dessert wine!

I KNOW!

Their home is lovely.....and, what a pity.....it backs up to a Kendall~Jackson vineyard. Isn't that just so sad?

I'm about to go to a true British breakfast called a "Fry Up"..........the neighbor across the street has 2 house guests ~ a lesbian couple (SO CUTE!) ~ and THEN......................................

I AM GOING TO EL CERRITO to have lunch with about 2 dozen chosen family members!!!!!!!!!!!!! I. CANNOT. WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm fairly sure some sort of history will made.......I see a group arrest in our future!!

Diva · 07-11-2011, 03:35 AM

After our Traditional English breakfast, I left for El Cerrito....and lunch! lol (Yes, I very well may explode on this trip! lol)

There was an accident on the road and we were stopped cold on the highway for a good 20-30 minutes.....responders were quick to arrive, but the driver was still in the car when I passed....there was a guerney next to the car........I hope she is alright.

So I was late. But the neat thing? I thought there were only going to be 15 or so and there were about 25-30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And when I wallked in, nobody yelled at me, or seemed upset that I was late for my own party! lol They were just glad to see me! But I have a secret: THEY weren't as glad as *I* was to see THEM!

I couldn't stop flitting about.....I ordered my meal and may have eaten 1/3 of it because I had to VISIT! lol

I'm not going to try to name everyone who was there....I KNOW I'll leave someone out and then I'll catch hell!

But rest assured that my heart was touched by each and every one of You who took Your Sunday ~ probably Your days off ~ to come visit/dine with Your Diva! It will go down ~ I'm convinced ~ as being the best day of my "Tour"! Hands down!

And we left the restaurant, but then hung around a little bit longer in the parking lot.....to keep visiting! Isn't that how it always is? I just love that!

I got home in time to watch some Harry Potter with the family, then have some Chinese food, then we left to pick up my daughter at the airport! Yes!!! My daughter has arrived here from Texas!! I'm so happy!

We got back and Bob gave me more wine! AND not only that, he has started leaving bottles in my room for me to take home! 7 so far! Let me tell You, HE is amazing! I love this family!

So it's late......again! lol I need sleep so badly, I'm a walking nap!

More tomorrow, as we are going to visit some vineyards and tasting rooms! You KNOW there'll be stories THERE!

Take care, everybody!

Diva · 07-12-2011, 12:40 AM

The BFP Micro~Reunion in El Cerrito's Fat Apples was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was late due to a car accident (not mine, thankfully), but it was glorious seeing everyone there, and I thank You for Your patience!

There must have been 25-30 there and I couldn't stop flitting about......come back to 'home base' and take a bite of bacon....flit, flit, flit.....come back, eat some eggs.....flitinsky......take a taste of toast......skipping about to give/receive more hugs and take pictures.

I was in HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then just standing in the parking lot......unable to leave! It was just grand!

Then Mike led me to a gas station as I had arrived on FUMES! lol All was well.

I went back to Windsor a different way....saw the wetlands.......another lovely portion of CA I had never seen!

When I got back........we relaxed a little bit, had more food and wine........

And then we all loaded up the car around 10:30 to pick up my daughter at the airport in Oakland (back and forth....back and forth!)!!!!!

It was so good to see her! We were up until at least 2.

This morning, we were to arise in time for breakfast at 9. My alarm didn't wake me ~ great ~ and my daughter became my alarm clock. I got downstairs to find everyone had overslept, so it was all good!

We had breakfast rather late and then off we went to visit the wineries!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The first one was about 5 minutes from their home, "J"!!!! My personal favorite, if You must know!

Our sommalier was Izzy and he was from Peru. He bacame my new best friend! lol And Erin and I joined their Wine Club after our tasting. He also took us on a tour of the 'back stage' area!!! THAT was fascinating! We saw them bottle it, filling up vats, the lable-less bottles, huge oak casks as well as aluminum ones. The gardens are amazing, too....one can get lost in the beauty of it all!

From "J", we went next door to the Rodney Strong Wineries. Had another tasting and Dr. Bob bought a case of wine for me to take back!!!!!!

We then went to Ferraro-?? (I can't remember) and didn't do the tastings...but walked around their gardens, which are stunning! Their gardens also had bronze sculpture all over the place. It was very Asian in design....

Then we travelled to the historic area of Healdsburg....LOVELY! There were some amazing art galleries there and I was inspired by so much or what I saw.... just wonderful!!! Very dog friendly place and I met several along our 'tour'.....Hunter, Magz, Scooby and Frankie.....PRECIOUS!

Then, we'd all just about had all we could take and we came home and chilled. I went to the back yard area, overlooking the pool, chose a chaise and crashed and burned. I didn't sleep, but just was quiet. I looked above me at one point to see an eagle flying overhead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may have cried a little over the beauty of THAT! The grace as he rode those air currents was poetic.

After we all rested a bit, we went out for sushi and came home for flan, which Dr. Bob made. (He's amazing, did I tell You?)

This is sort of an early night for us!!! They're all in bed and Dr. and Mrs. Bob will go to work tomorrow......my daughter, M and I will go to the sea tomorrow....and visit the redwoods, then I will be off to Albany, CA, to spend the evening with Greyson and JulieisaFemme!!!!!!!!!!!

This vacation has been the best gift I could have given myself! I have enjoyed every minute of it!!!!!!!!!!!!

07-01-2011, 12:18 AM	#3
Greyson Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Transmasculine/Non-Binary Preferred Pronoun?: Hy (Pronounced He) Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,589 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 21,132 Thanked 8,146 Times in 2,005 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	What kind of Soccer Mom Van will you be driving on your road trip? How many miles on it? Be sure you have her into the shop for maintenance and inspection before you make the trip. I was not surprised to read about your 38. I like a trusty 38 myself. I realize 38's are somewhat out dated. Seems many want a Glock as their hand gun of choice. I am looking forward to reading about your road trip adventures. What I remember vividly from your previous road trip blog was your pic of you, G and the giant Shuttle Cock. __________________ Sometimes you don't realize your own strength until you come face to face with your greatest weakness. - Susan Gale

06-30-2011, 11:16 PM	#1
sierragirrl Member How Do You Identify?: .... Relationship Status: <3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: ..... Posts: 783 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,417 Thanked 2,870 Times in 667 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	don't forget to make sure all the routes your gonna take are all open. i saw on the news about the fire in N.M. we just got back from a road trip from Nor Cal to OKC and back. i loved it. Utah is not so purdy in some areas. have a safe trip

07-01-2011, 01:21 AM	#4
Galahad Member How Do You Identify?: do I have to? Relationship Status: single Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: I.E. Southern California Posts: 425 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,300 Thanked 339 Times in 151 Posts Rep Power: 1446604	Diva, I did have a can of faf explode. But, the can I have now has been in the trunk for years. It's in an old insulated lunch bag and no problems. It's really hot here too and the car sits in a parking lot all day all summer, avg. temp. 108. Be safe. Even if you have to buy a new valve stem later.

07-03-2011, 11:38 PM	#6
Diva Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Diva Preferred Pronoun?: Diva Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chez Diva Posts: 11,879 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,263 Thanked 17,175 Times in 5,239 Posts Rep Power: 0	Alright, everyone! Departure is at hand! I'll be leaving tomorrow evening between 5 & 6.....driving to San Antonio tomorrow evening, checking into the hotel and go to dinner at Boudro's on the River Walk where my daughter is a server! I'm so excited as this was my all~time favorite restaurant when I came down for TMEA conventions! Then early Tuesday morning, I'll be on my way (going to San Antonio tomorrow actually cuts about an hour and a quarter off my Tuesday drive....so it's all good)!! My bags are packed. My car has been serviced (complete with 4 new tires that SING, btw!). I will load up the car tomorrow afternoon, make like a baby and head out!

07-04-2011, 12:08 AM	#7
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,283 Times in 4,166 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	"May the wind take your troubles away Both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel May the wind take your troubles away" -- "Windfall" by Son Volt

07-04-2011, 09:40 AM	#8
Diva Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Diva Preferred Pronoun?: Diva Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chez Diva Posts: 11,879 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,263 Thanked 17,175 Times in 5,239 Posts Rep Power: 0	The car is just about loaded up! I'm going to run a few last~minute errands and then be on my way to San Antonio to spend the evening with my daughter and her bf! Tomorrow, it begins!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let the WEST COAST ROAD ADVENTURE BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

07-10-2011, 10:12 AM	#10
Diva Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Diva Preferred Pronoun?: Diva Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chez Diva Posts: 11,879 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,263 Thanked 17,175 Times in 5,239 Posts Rep Power: 0	Oh no, Swan! That would have been neat! I'm in Windsor, CA now, at the home of my precious daughter's bf's family (didja get that?). They had a birthday party for said bf and I walked in just as dinner was about to be served! (Good timing....I can smell sangria at 30 miles....just sayin'!) ANYway, bf's Dad ~ Dr. Bob ~ kept bringing me alcohol. I kept drinking it. And I'm not sure how I managed not to get drunk, but maybe my tiredness countered it. I had 3 glasses of sangria, 2 glasses of a cab that I didn't think I'd like and loved. A glass of rose` ~ or was it 2? And then finished it off with 2 glasses of dessert wine! I KNOW! Their home is lovely.....and, what a pity.....it backs up to a Kendall~Jackson vineyard. Isn't that just so sad? I'm about to go to a true British breakfast called a "Fry Up"..........the neighbor across the street has 2 house guests ~ a lesbian couple (SO CUTE!) ~ and THEN...................................... I AM GOING TO EL CERRITO to have lunch with about 2 dozen chosen family members!!!!!!!!!!!!! I. CANNOT. WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm fairly sure some sort of history will made.......I see a group arrest in our future!!

07-11-2011, 03:35 AM	#11
Diva Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Diva Preferred Pronoun?: Diva Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chez Diva Posts: 11,879 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,263 Thanked 17,175 Times in 5,239 Posts Rep Power: 0	After our Traditional English breakfast, I left for El Cerrito....and lunch! lol (Yes, I very well may explode on this trip! lol) There was an accident on the road and we were stopped cold on the highway for a good 20-30 minutes.....responders were quick to arrive, but the driver was still in the car when I passed....there was a guerney next to the car........I hope she is alright. So I was late. But the neat thing? I thought there were only going to be 15 or so and there were about 25-30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And when I wallked in, nobody yelled at me, or seemed upset that I was late for my own party! lol They were just glad to see me! But I have a secret: THEY weren't as glad as I was to see THEM! I couldn't stop flitting about.....I ordered my meal and may have eaten 1/3 of it because I had to VISIT! lol I'm not going to try to name everyone who was there....I KNOW I'll leave someone out and then I'll catch hell! But rest assured that my heart was touched by each and every one of You who took Your Sunday ~ probably Your days off ~ to come visit/dine with Your Diva! It will go down ~ I'm convinced ~ as being the best day of my "Tour"! Hands down! And we left the restaurant, but then hung around a little bit longer in the parking lot.....to keep visiting! Isn't that how it always is? I just love that! I got home in time to watch some Harry Potter with the family, then have some Chinese food, then we left to pick up my daughter at the airport! Yes!!! My daughter has arrived here from Texas!! I'm so happy! We got back and Bob gave me more wine! AND not only that, he has started leaving bottles in my room for me to take home! 7 so far! Let me tell You, HE is amazing! I love this family! So it's late......again! lol I need sleep so badly, I'm a walking nap! More tomorrow, as we are going to visit some vineyards and tasting rooms! You KNOW there'll be stories THERE! Take care, everybody!

07-12-2011, 12:40 AM	#12
Diva Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Diva Preferred Pronoun?: Diva Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chez Diva Posts: 11,879 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,263 Thanked 17,175 Times in 5,239 Posts Rep Power: 0	The BFP Micro~Reunion in El Cerrito's Fat Apples was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was late due to a car accident (not mine, thankfully), but it was glorious seeing everyone there, and I thank You for Your patience! There must have been 25-30 there and I couldn't stop flitting about......come back to 'home base' and take a bite of bacon....flit, flit, flit.....come back, eat some eggs.....flitinsky......take a taste of toast......skipping about to give/receive more hugs and take pictures. I was in HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then just standing in the parking lot......unable to leave! It was just grand! Then Mike led me to a gas station as I had arrived on FUMES! lol All was well. I went back to Windsor a different way....saw the wetlands.......another lovely portion of CA I had never seen! When I got back........we relaxed a little bit, had more food and wine........ And then we all loaded up the car around 10:30 to pick up my daughter at the airport in Oakland (back and forth....back and forth!)!!!!! It was so good to see her! We were up until at least 2. This morning, we were to arise in time for breakfast at 9. My alarm didn't wake me ~ great ~ and my daughter became my alarm clock. I got downstairs to find everyone had overslept, so it was all good! We had breakfast rather late and then off we went to visit the wineries!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The first one was about 5 minutes from their home, "J"!!!! My personal favorite, if You must know! Our sommalier was Izzy and he was from Peru. He bacame my new best friend! lol And Erin and I joined their Wine Club after our tasting. He also took us on a tour of the 'back stage' area!!! THAT was fascinating! We saw them bottle it, filling up vats, the lable-less bottles, huge oak casks as well as aluminum ones. The gardens are amazing, too....one can get lost in the beauty of it all! From "J", we went next door to the Rodney Strong Wineries. Had another tasting and Dr. Bob bought a case of wine for me to take back!!!!!! We then went to Ferraro-?? (I can't remember) and didn't do the tastings...but walked around their gardens, which are stunning! Their gardens also had bronze sculpture all over the place. It was very Asian in design.... Then we travelled to the historic area of Healdsburg....LOVELY! There were some amazing art galleries there and I was inspired by so much or what I saw.... just wonderful!!! Very dog friendly place and I met several along our 'tour'.....Hunter, Magz, Scooby and Frankie.....PRECIOUS! Then, we'd all just about had all we could take and we came home and chilled. I went to the back yard area, overlooking the pool, chose a chaise and crashed and burned. I didn't sleep, but just was quiet. I looked above me at one point to see an eagle flying overhead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may have cried a little over the beauty of THAT! The grace as he rode those air currents was poetic. After we all rested a bit, we went out for sushi and came home for flan, which Dr. Bob made. (He's amazing, did I tell You?) This is sort of an early night for us!!! They're all in bed and Dr. and Mrs. Bob will go to work tomorrow......my daughter, M and I will go to the sea tomorrow....and visit the redwoods, then I will be off to Albany, CA, to spend the evening with Greyson and JulieisaFemme!!!!!!!!!!! This vacation has been the best gift I could have given myself! I have enjoyed every minute of it!!!!!!!!!!!!