Lincoln, California: Have not updated during our visit with Dave's family, but here I am to report we had a great time, ate very well, and had fun with our grand nephew/niece. Again, we camped in Brother Steve and Gina's driveway, aided by their electricity. The only bad thing was the 100+ degree temperatures.
In case you have not been keeping attention, Brother Steve and Gina live on a gorgeous 10-acre ranch outside of Lincoln. To say "all they do is work on their property" is a bit of an understatement. They grow much of what they eat.
The first night of our stay, we all went to a sushi restaurant in Lincoln. It was a fun place and the owner (from Singapore) is friendly with Steve & Gina. Portions are so ridiculously huge, I fear they will go out of business!
The Taylor Brothers gathered on Saturday. Niece Meghan (lives in Sacramento) had requested Mexican skirt steak tacos, so Gina marinated the beef and also prepared refried beans and rice, and several other sides. I contributed guacamole and a pitcher of my famous margaritas. Meghan made flan, so it was a perfect menu.
Due to the heat, Brother Steve blew-up a pool for Brother Billy and Ginger's grandchildren (daughter Megan and John's kids).
Then, the obligatory family photos. With no outside-the-family guests, John and I took turns behind the camera:
Meghan (holding Claire), Ginger & John
and sending Ian down to his grandmother.
It was a great day spent with family. Kids are just so dang cute at this age, and they were so well behaved (especially since it was so hot!). The food was absolutely gourmet and the flan was super yummy. Good job, Meghan!
On Sunday (our last day in Lincoln) we went to Twin Rock Winery for a ever-so fancy brunch. This place is over-the-top. Gorgeous setting, nice wines, great menu at their restaurant, and a pretty patio overlooking a large swan-filled pond.
It was a fun visit to the ranch, and Gina sent us home with fig jam, potatoes harvested today, squash (with blossoms), sage, asparagus, oranges and blueberries.
Today, we drove west to Bodega Bay - stopping at a grocer to fatten-up our larder as we will be alone and family-free for the next few weeks. Happy we did, as we found a small flock of geese with NINE babies in the grocery parking lot.
The drive to the coast was pretty easy and scenic. After reaching Bodega Bay, we stopped along the bay to split a sandwich as the RV park charges $10 if you check-in before 2p. (Really?)
After checking-in, Dave went for a walk and I fought and fought to get the stoopid Dish TV dish to figure out where we were. The Dish satellite television system is sometimes ridiculously easy and the next time I want to pull my hair out. Why can't they figure it out? I had to re-set our receiver TWICE. Ugh. Anyway, all was well by game time (Dodgers tonight as we are close to San Francisco the Giant game is blacked-out). I had marinated chicken thighs in Gina's fantastic sage, so DT grilled the chicken and Gina's asparagus spears outside. I boiled four of the day-old potatoes and tossed them with Jacobsen Sea Salt, butter, and chopped parsley. It was gourmet all the way, but we both agreed the potatoes were the best dish.
That's it for our long weekend update. Tomorrow we golf.
Until my next update, I remain, your caught-up correspondent.
Campground Information: Bodega Bay RV Park - Long gravel pull-throughs, front/back-ins. Full hookups, laundry, bathhouse, free (tengo) internet, small store, Mexican restaurant next door. We are paying about $85 per night.