At Negro Bar Campground in Folsom

On Sunday 30 May, I took a walk around the Lake Natoma at the edge of Folsom, Ca. First I stopped at the Sudwerk Riverside Restaurant which has a great view of the river from the left bank. One can see the kayakers in the water and the Rainbow Bridge.
I then walked down the walking path to the water's edge which takes you to the Negro Campgrounds State Park. There were many kayakers in the water and families just hanging out at the water's edge just having fun and staying cool from the day's sun.
Looking north, upstream, the Folsom Truss Bridge can be seen and makes a great view against the rocks in the water.

View from the Sedwerks Restuarant at the Rainbow Bridge




At Negro Bar Campgrounds


Looking at the Truss Bridge

Kayakers, geese, dogs and people enjoying the day at the Park

Memorial Day Tribute Mount Vernon Memorial Park

On Monday 31 May 10, I went to the Memorial Day Tribute at the Mount Vernon Memorial Park in Fair Oaks, California. Was greeted with many American Flags including a large one at the entrance to the park.
The many grave yards had flags posted on them and a large crowd was filing into the seating. Before the ceremonies two F-16 Jet Fighters cruised overhead which gave the crowed a big thrill.
The ceremonies began with the American Flag being presented to the stage. The 59th Army Band played music during this time and a couple of speeches were made by honored guests. The big event came at the end when a Skydiver parachuted into the Park with a large American flag.
The Tribute was wonderful with many people remembering those who died in the service of this nation. The whole event was very touching.
Some pictures are located below. The entire album and be viewed in the website below:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=59657&id=1507778102&l=1aa0985957

POW empty table setting
The table is round -- to show our everlasting concern for our missing men.

The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and the[ir] loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.

The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.

The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.

The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share this evening's [morning’s/day’s] toast.

The chairs are empty -- they are missing.

My new USB Turntable Recordered

I bought a USB Turntable from ION which digitizes old vinyl records into iPod format. Setting up the turntable too a little patients as getting the correct arm balance and needle took some time to get right. Also not all the instructions as clear and left a few minor things out.

When the turntable was all set up I purchased a Johnny Mathis 45RPM record from a local antique store just to have something to try out before placing the valuable records to record. Again this took a bit of trial and error but finally got the song transferred from vinyl to iPod mp3 format.

That is cool and ready to upload my father's old tango records from Colombia which my mom wants to add to her ipod as she doesn't have a turntable to play them.

Absinthe in Old Folsom

On Wedneday night I needed to get out of the house and headed down to historic Old Folsom for a drink and ended up in Scarlets on Sutter Steets. The owner of the bar happen to be there and not many others as I went in the late afternoon. Interesting place but not much decor.
Well I saw an Absinthe slow drip bottle and mentioned that I never had that drink before. He decided to buy make that drink.
This was interseting as the very nice bartender prepared the drink. He poured some Absinthe in a small glass, then placed an Absinthe spoon on top of the glass with a cube of sugar on top of that. He then open a spoot from the drip bottle where he had placed some ice water. The water slowly dripped onto the cube of sugar, dissolving it into the glass.
Seem to take forever to get done. Can't see most people waiting that long for a drink. Well it tasted much like an anise drink.
It was pretty tasty but I would not order it as the process of making the drink too awhile and really not worth it.
But now I can say I had Absinth.

Spring Fling Wine Tasting in Amador Valley, California

On 22May10 I drove east of my home in Folsom, CA towards the town of Plymouth to take part in the Spring Fling wine tasting event. This event is for the newer wineries in the west end of the Amador Valley, where there are many vineyards.

First stop was Sera Fina Cellars, which had a small ballon overhead to show the passing drivers where the place is located as it is a couple of hundred yards off the main road of Latrobe Road. A nice young couple run the vineyards. Tried some very good wine, although they don't grow their own grapes yet, the owner said he will plant vines in the front of the main building.

Next stop was Convergence Vineyards located about 5 miles east of Sera Fina. The house where the tasting room is located had a patio having a great view of the valley in front of it. There was a party of about 8 young women tasting wine. One of them told me that they were having a girls day out for one of the girls was getting married. Tasted their range of wines Covergence was providing. Very good all around.

Third stop was Tanis Vineyards which was the smallest of the wineries. In the front was a chicken coop where a rooster was yelling even though it was midday. The tasting room was out of the garage. A husban and wife team poured the wine for tasting. The husban explain in detail how the wine is grown and the processes of making them. Very informative. There was also a sample of flavored oils, although they actually don't make this but it does have their label on the bottles. I enjoyed the habanero-tequila oil as it was tasting and spicy-hot. I purchased a bottle.

Last stop was Nua Dair. The large room where the tasting room is located had the ceiling partially collapsed. The owner, behind the sampling table, said that the air conditioner failed and they were replacing it for a working one. They had a food sample of what the owner said was a South African dish called bebule, which was curried rice and ground meat. After tasting the wines here I headed home the end of a nice wine tasting day.

I purchased a bottle of wine from each of the vineyards in support. I'm not going to drink them myself so plan to give them away. I was pleasantly surprise how good the wines were in this part of California. Guess I was spoiled from the Napa wines. Will definently try to visit the other vineyards in the Amador Valley.

Photos can be seen at the Facebook site:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58777&id=1507778102&l=cd8fca0506

Small tour of Vineyards in Amador Valley

On Saturday 15 May 10, I decided to take a quick tour of some of the vineyards near Folsom, CA in the region known as the Amador Valley. The drive was only 45 minutes to the first stop called Sera Fina Cellars. This place is only been open since Mar 10, but they are trying to set it up nicely. I was greeted first by a very excited Australian Sheep Dog who was jumping all over me and wanting the attention. Very cute. A large tasting room with many nice paintings of the valley, an outside patio with the view of the valley.The wines I tasted were alright, nothing spectacular but would buy a glass if offered. The wife's owner was pouring the wine and suggested a couple of other vineyards to go to in the area. I wish them luck as they seem to have a good thing going in terms of location and display.

Then I went down the road and stopped at Tanis Vineyards. The place is small and can easily pass by it. Not much parking. The tasting room is small but the owner, Andrew, was there pouring and explaining the different wines he produces. They had some good wines and bought a bottle of their TNT Dynamite red. Not sure what I'll do with it as I don't drink much any more, perhaps I'll just give it away.

I tried to find some others but got lost in the winding, narrow roads. Decided that was enough and headed home. Next weekend(22-23 May10), these two vineyards and a couple of others near by will have a bar-b-q, wine release party at their location. I think I'll head back out and take a look at what they have to offer.


The Sera Fina dog greeted me as I was coming out of my car

Inside Serra Fina
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View from inside Sera Fina Vineyard Tasting Room

View from Serra Fina Vineyards Patio




Entrance to Tanis Vineyards Tasting room

On 13 May 10, went to see some festival in my new town of Folsom CA.

First was a wine tasting event in the supermarket chain of Belair. There was arts, food samples and other items outside the store.

Next I went to Visconti's Ristorante located in the same Broadstone Marketplace Strip Mall. They were celebrating their 1 year anniversary at this new location and 18 years in business. There was a live band, wine samples and food for the spectators.

It was a great evening with happy people all around.

19th Annual Folsom Handcar Derby

The 19th Annual Folsom Handcar Derby was held on Saturday and Sunday 01-02 May 10 in Folsom, CA abouth 20miles east of the California Capitol of Sacramento.
The Derby consisted individual competition of a Handcar "Push" to see who can push the Railroad Handcar the furtherest on the tracks. There was categories of women, men, heavyweight and lightweights.
The main event was the team timed race.

Pictures can be seen in the location below
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=56985&id=1507778102&l=2324c5c439