Eden's Wanderings and Wonderings

Three of my colleagues called me up last minute and asked if I wanted to go wine tasting in the Livermore Valley. I have done these ages ago when the wineries were few and novel to the area. Some 15 years later, many wineries have cropped up and some produce wines tasting real good to my amateurish taste.

Here's our office staff, Sylvia and Georgia.

We started at Deer Ridge Vineyards. Tried and enjoyed some Viognier and various reds. The owner of the winery took us around his property which gave the tour a personal touch. He shared his plans with us on what he was going to do to make the place an event center. He even has a two-berdoom + place on the property that can be used by clients who want to stay close by during an event. This could make a nice little get-away too at $275 per night.

The group proceeded to Charles R Vineyards, a small family-owned and operated winery tucked away on some dirt road. Fun thing about these small places is that you get to meet the wine makers and enjoy their stories. The hometown atmosphere was so prevalent that we got to overhear soon-to-be exes discuss their divorce proceedings development. :)

Kathy (Teachick) had this idea of a GTG in SF while she was here for Yoga teachers' training. What a great idea! She even had this stronger vision of some decadent Ghiradelli ice cream sundaes along with this GTG... Yummm. Here is the mastermind of this great event wearing one of her beautiful SF designer indulgences ...

The evening became a "Progressive GTG" and I loved it. Marcia, David, and Kathy started out with some pre-GTG wine at the Wine Merchant at the Ferry building as I was getting off BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to meet my daughter, Tracey. We walked over from the Embarcadero BART station to the Fog City Diner. I am surprised that we did not see each other (Marcia, et al) walking along the Embarcadero. Maybe because we did cut across some parks... The ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) in me wanted to watch some birds at one of the parks but my daughter reminded me that we needed to move along to get to the restaurant at the appointed time...

So we got to Fog City Diner right on time. I noticed Marcia, David, and Kathy right behind us. Sharon was not far behind. The second phase (for M, D, and K) of the GTG began.

This was a bit of a challenge for me... or perhaps I am just lazy this week, since I am on spring break. So here are some (somewhat) vertical interpretations - my take on the theme. :)

Vetical interpretation of the Italian flag.... Taken during a visit to Little Italy in San Diego, California.

Golden verticals - Entrance to Sterling Vineyards - Napa, California.

Crowded verticals - tall buildings Hong Kong Harbor - great backdrop for a morning TaiChi Class.

Love the row of palm trees ... with Tracey doing her morning Tai Chi.

During a educational class visit to Ardenwood Farm here in Fremont, Ca. An irritated peacock went vertical on us... much to the delight of my school kids.

Did I really push the vertical theme a bit too far?????? :) I told you, it was a bit of a challenge.

It's been over a month since I have done anything to or on this blog. I have done so many things and can't seem to post an entry here.... So here is another attempt at blogging .... again!

I have a great opportunity to organize a trip to Paris in the spring of 2012. The trip date is Thursday, April 5, 2012 through Thursday, April 12, 2012. I am excited. It has been a while since I was in Paris...

ACIS has asked me to organize this trip and I am looking forward to a week in Paris... plus a watercolor workshop in the gardens in Giverny, Claude Monet's home... plus evenings in Paris...

If you are in the Fremont area or close by, come to a No-obligation Informational Meeting on Saturday, June 11, at Le Moose Crepe Cafe at 5014 Mowry Avenue, Fremont Ca. 94538. Hope to see you then!