Diva's Road Trip ~ Part Deux

[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.

[Galahad]

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]

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]

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]

"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]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chancie]

[Diva]

Diva's West Coast Road Trip
DAY ~1~

Alright........I didn't think I could POSSIBLY have anything to report on DAY ONE!!!!!

Au contraire, mon ami.

And I just have one word: MERDE.

So.

Let's see....where to begin, where to begin........

Ok....I had a few errands (three) left to do today before I left. I was planning on leaving around 3. PLANNING on it...
I went for a pedi, first. She cut me! CUT ME! My toe hurts. However, I have purple polish, so I forgave her in my heart.

Then I had to go to Lowe's and have a couple of extra keys made. So I went and did that. I got back in the car, pretty pleased with myself ~ even though it was past 3. (The salon was crazy wild and backed up!) I get in the car and think.....that's odd. Why does my car smell like wine? <breathed deeply>

Then I thought.....did I take that bottle of wine out of the car yesterday???? Well....I'll just go to the bank and then when I get home, I'll check.

I get to the bank and reach for my purse.
It's not in the front seat. Now why ~ I asked myself ~ would I have put it in the back with my purchase? So I got out at the Drive-thru and opened the back door and my purse was not there.

What?!?!?! There is no WAY I left it at Lowe's! Maybe I did...in the basket, as I left?

So I tried to get back on the interstate to go back. There was a wreck. (Oh yes there WAS!) It seemed like it took me FOREVER to get back to Lowe's. I see my basket. No purse. Oh PLEASE let it be inside.....

I went to the Customer Service Desk and there were 3 people in front of me. Finally I got to the lady and asked if someone had turned in a black patent leather handbag (this is my Mom's purse!!!). No....she didn't think so. And my heart sank, because if there was no purse, there was no trip for Diva. I tried not to cry and another woman said, "What color is your purse?" I said "Black!!!!!" And is there something special on the outside? (This was a test, I could tell!) I squealed with glee, "TINY PINK TIARAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She laughed and delivered my purse to me.

I MAY have skipped to the car.

So....then I go back to the ATM. THAT was flawless.

Then I get home and I open up the back of the van. The bottle of wine had knocked over in the [plastic] bag and rolled to the other side of the car. I guess in the process, it was SO incredibly hot in the car, the cork blew out and there was wine all over the back area of my van. All I could think was.....Jeez. I hope I don't get pulled over! Ok, ok....it MAY be mildly amusing now.....but that was a lovely bottle of Riesling. Wasted. Ne'er to be savored upon these lips. Grapes. Crushed for naught.

Then I finished packing the car. Lucy was becoming nervous. She doesn't like to see me pack the car. She wanted to go, too.

Off I went to San Antonio, 2 1/2 hours later than I originally planned. I checked into my hotel, freshened up a bit and took off for my daughter's restaurant!

First, Boudro's is on the River Walk. So it's full of charm......and very San Antonio! I got to meet her favorite co~workers, including her boss, who was lovely. We sat and chatted when things calmed down.

I got to watch my daughter work the table next to mine ~ an 8-top. I tried not to stare. She was so good!!! I was glad I got to hear her explanations, too. I was so proud I nearly cried. I had to stop myself because I know she would have been embarrassed. But she was f***ing amazing!

I had this amazing sirloin....holy God...amazing wine.....she made guacamole tableside and I had some really wonderful wines. (They have their own wine cellar!) And to top it all off? Creme brulee`............MMMmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

When I left (I was there 2 1/2 hours), some of the waiters came to door and waved and said, "Bye Mom!"

They made my night!

So i'm back in my room.....going to hit the hay in a few minutes!

Tomorrow is Chapter Two: Las Cruces!!

[swan]

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]

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]

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]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Daywalker]

I should like to haz Speshel Mention for the Koolaid I brought you.




Moreso, for being ON TIME for the first time in years.



That was just for you Diva



PS ~ If U try to skip out on driving back thru the Sac Pack, then you'll
always wonder what it was Day painted for you. Juss sayin'.





You Miss Diva ~ You are a Matriarch of Our Community.
Of COURSE there were 25 to 30 people!

You truly are a walking ray of hella naughty sunshine!
Or how was it I put it the other day?


Oh, yes...like a Caricature right out of a Comic Strip.

You stepped right out of the Comic Book and Gifted us all by breathing
Life, Love and Zeal into this world. Yer a Star in many of our eyes.


Thanks for that.

That is all.

[justkim]

I just met Diva for some sinfully scrumptious coconut mocha frappacino (sp) and some whoopie... She is now headed south to her next destination... Thank you Diva for stopping in my little town...