Well the firestorms are still raging. Fatalities and losses still mounting. So tragic. But the Dream Ride is going strong - we had a fun day, full of spontaneity and surprises.
This morning we left Davis and headed east towards West Sacramento and cleaner air. Now I have spent some time in West Sacramento, but today traveled on roads and saw some sights I didn't know existed.
Farmers Rice Cooperative
Port of Sacramento
John and Raoul reconnoitering the route. Each year, the tour director and ride leader spend months planning the ride, many days actually riding the route, and countless hours creating and perfecting the route sheets. This year, Days 2, 3, and 4 of this ride are fly by the seat of your pants due to changing winds and county construction road work. All the crew were amazingly patient and resourceful. A big shout out to Dream Riders Raoul and Joel for helping in their neck of the woods (Davis and Lodi, respectively). Above is a photo of John and Raoul rerouting after the Sacramento River levee access road turned out to be a gravel road.
Once we made our way up to the levee road, here is Diem's bike posed against a cool old ??? (silo?)
A glimpse of the Sacramento River.
Beautiful and grand church just off the levee road.
This was not planned, but we made a spontaneous decision to stop at the Old Sugar Mill.
(Okay, it was my idea.)
I adore this old building. It really was an old sugar mill they converted into a gorgeous wine tasting and event facility.
Such a beautify space.
The stop here was really meant for restrooms and snacks. At some point, the Riders made an unsanctioned decision to stay and have a glass of wine.
Here's Raoul, Val, and Pat enjoying some cab franc with me.
I asked the flight attendant (wine pouring person) to give me a glass of the best red he had. This cab franc was out of this world! I loved it. I bought a bottle to bring home to Jettie. Then I dropped the bottle. The entire thing smashed on the grand steps of the mill's entrance steps. Yikes! Happily they were able to clean it up in a thrice. When I returned to the tasting room, to buy a replacement bottle, flight attendant Dee gave me a new bottle! What a dear. I promised to return. After sharing some cab franc with my Dream Rider friends, they bought some bottles too. It all came out well.
Our tour photographer, Alan, brought a drone camera. Kinda cool; kinda creepy...
Alan taking a shot.
Me and Dee and bottle # 2 at Clarksburg Wine Company.
John told us at lunch that he recently cut his hair. Amazing.
Chere is taking a picture? Doing yoga? Falling over?
Post lunch, post wine...
If I ever end up on a senior assisted living facility, I want to be in one that takes their residents out to wineries! They were so cute in their with their walkers... (helpful when wine tasting at any age)
A fine set of gentlemen: Steve, Ralph, Harvey, and Anubis.
Steve is sporting his new Gumby and Pokey jersey, purchased in a Davis bike shop.
Adore the wonderful bridges over the Sacramento River.
Years ago, my grandfather used to take us for Sunday drives out here.
He and my grandmother loved to fish here.
This bridge took us over to the little town of Walnut Grove.
Mural in Walnut Grove.
Ice cream stop. Another unplanned, but perfect choice.
I did not know this little community existed.
And here's Harvey. Amazing guy. Great fun.
There's not much here in Walnut Grove, but what is here is charming.
Joel lead us through Lodi to see the lake there. Who knew!?
Riding along the pathway around the lake.
On our final dash to Lodi, we rode through miles of wine grapes.
Here's Joel leading the pack through his home town.
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