Category Archives: Travel Journal

Our travels take us to interesting spots around the world and close to home. Join us on our journey.

Sayonara SONOMA!! (November 2014)

Posted on January 10, 2015 by noconbach

The month in Sonoma has passed with a whirlwind of activities with family and friends (and wineries). Here are a few more tidbits from the trip. And so we say goodbye to Sonoma…until next time.

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged bicycling, Frog's Leap Winery, Golden Gate Bridge, Hawk Hill, Mount Diablo, Sonoma, Stag's Leap Wine Cellar, Stuhlmuller Winery, Thanksgiving, wine | 3 Comments

The cold war according to Dr. Seuss

Posted on November 30, 2014 by noconbach

Those of us who are baby boomers remember the Cold War scare in the ‘50s and ‘60s, with the US and USSR, the world’s two superpowers, manning up in a “Mine’s bigger than yours” battle of nuclear arm strength. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged Cold War, Dr. Seuss, missiles, planes, Plattsburgh, South Dakota Air and Space Museum, The Butter Battle Book | 1 Comment

The Headlands – end of October and start of November

Posted on November 28, 2014 by noconbach

On Marcia’s last day with us on the West Coast, we dipped down toward San Francisco in the Marin County area just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. This area includes Sausalito and Tiburon on the water and Mt. Tamalpais … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged California, Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, oystering, San Francisco, Sausalito, Tomales Bay | 1 Comment

Sonoma – the other wine valley. Starting November 1 and still going

Posted on November 16, 2014 by noconbach

Two years ago we celebrated another Christmas with California O’Connells and decided that it would be great to move to Sonoma when we retired. So here we are, moved to Sonoma…for one month. We’ve found our new favorite winery, Buena … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged biking, Buena Vista Winery, Gundlach-Bundschu Winery, John Jacob Astor, Sonoma, wine | 8 Comments

A Salute to Our Troops November 11

Posted on November 11, 2014 by noconbach

On our travels we are realizing how privileged we are to live in the United States and be able to make this kind of trip. We recognize the sacrifices that have been made by so many troops to protect our … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged Burlington, California, Glen Ellen, New York, Plattsburgh, Vermont, Veteran's Day, veterans | 2 Comments

Winery Hopping in Napa November 3 (Day 63)

Posted on November 9, 2014 by noconbach

We’ve reached the promised land, the promised land of vineyards at least. We’ve been told that there are 1,000 wineries in Napa and Sonoma…and we’re going to try them all! (even if it kills us) Yesterday was a total veg … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged Beaulieu Winery, California, Hall Winery, Napa, Robert Mondavi Winery, Sterling Winery, wine, wineries | 4 Comments

From a very deep hole to very tall trees October 28 to 30 (Days 57 to 59)

Posted on November 2, 2014 by noconbach

Another day, another national park. (But nothing ho-hum about it.) Here we are at Crater Lake in Oregon. Snow and volcanoes don’t seem to go together, but this park has both. There are more than 40 volcanic cones here! The one … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged California, Crater Lake, elk, national park, Oregon, Redwood National Park, snow, volcano | 1 Comment

Cape Blanco Light (Oregon)

Posted on October 30, 2014 by noconbach

Near Port Orford, on the westernmost point of Oregon: The Hughes family, Patrick and Jane, built a very large (over 3,000 square feet) Victorian home near the river in 1898. They raised seven kids (two others died early) and over 100 … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged Cape Blanco, Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Hughes House, lighthouse, Oregon | Leave a comment

Rain, rain go away. Our soggy Oregon saga. October 25 to 27 (days 54 to 56)

Posted on October 29, 2014 by noconbach

This weather is for the birds! And speaking of birds, one lady was trying to recreate Tippi Hedren’s role from The Birds. Let’s get all our ducks in a row (or maybe gulls). When it rains it pours. Now what does that … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged Bandon Dunes, birds, crab, dunes, golf, ocean, Oregon, Oregon Pioneer, sea lions, wildlife | Leave a comment

Willamette wine and coastal cheese (Oregon) October 24 (Day 53)

Posted on October 26, 2014 by noconbach

Cows don’t mind rain. In fact, they probably appreciate the green grass it produces. Rain in Tillamook is one of the big reasons they make the greatest cheese in the world. (At least it’s Chris’s favorite!) We learned that Tillamook is the name … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged Blue Heron cheese, cheese, Domaine Drouhin, Domaine Serene, Oregon, Pinot Noir, Stoller, Tillamook, Willamette, winery | Leave a comment