Are You That Woman

Amtrak California: Lot's of Little Things

I have been a fan of train travel ever since my first Amtrak adventure at the age of 30-something. Even now, I thrill at the sound of the whistle blast. And my nose is often pressed against the window taking in all of the back-road scenery.

Most often, I'm traveling the Capitol Corridor from Sacramento to somewhere in the San Francisco Bay area. When my husband was living in Oakland it was the easiest way to commute back and forth. These days, there are so many commuters, the train runs regularly and on time. Any chance to take the train...I'm all over it.

Most recently, a business meeting took me to the tiny valley town of Suisun...not far from Fairfield and Travis AFB for the destination challenged.  It's only about 45 miles from Sacramento but with today's fuel prices it still made more sense as a single passenger to ride Amtrak.  With a 3-day advance purchase, my AAA card gave me a 10% discount bringing the fare down to $27. The 90-mile, round-trip car ride would have consumed about $18 in fuel -- my darling Subaru gets about 24MPH on the freeway -- but taking the train kept me away from the Friday traffic hassles especially on my return trip. Plus, the trip from Sacramento was less than 40 minutes and was just so relaxing...I'll be doing it again this Friday. Anything I can do to take one more car off the road...

Okay, back to the little thing. On my return trip from Suisun the conductor asked me if I would like a "bus or Light Rail transfer for Sacramento."  Looking dazed and confused I asked, "For free!?"  He went on to explain that Amtrak provides free transfers from the Capitol Corridor to a number of regional transit systems including Sacramento's Regional Transit, Yolobus, Delta Breeze and more. In fact, if my friend hadn't picked my up in Suisun a free transit pass would also have been available.

"Is this something new?" I asked. Well, only if you consider the last five years new!!!  I don't know where or how they publicize this, but they need to spread the word. So here I am doing my best to support this "little thing" that is really a very BIG THING!  As well as the "green" thing to do!

All-l-l-l-l-l-l-l Aboard!

Making my way back to Sacramento from Yosemite, I suddenly realize I am hungry. I pass up a couple of places along historic Highway 49 thinking something better may come along.  Approaching Jackson, another of the Gold Rush-era towns along the route, I remember there's a wonderful bakery on Main Street that I haven't visited in years. I can grab something quick; check-out what's new; and get down the road before traffic

Groveland California: Service Is More Than A Little Thing

Remember when gas stations were called "service" stations?  If so, we know a little something about your age bracket(-;!  Back in those days it really was all about the service and a smile. There was no such thing as self-serve gas. In fact, I'm guessing they service station employees would probably have wrestled the pump from your hands had you tried such an insane thing as pumping your own gas.

In the days of service, they washed your windshield and asked if you wanted your oil checked. Sigh. Those were the days when you could "trust your car to the many who wears the star."

Well, those days still exist in some small towns like Groveland, California. A gateway to Yosemite, Groveland has been around since the Gold Rush. Just a few blocks long and wagon-high sidewalks. Wonderful historic places like the Iron Door Saloon (California's oldest continuously operated bar) and the Groveland Hotel who (likewise) has been greeting guests since the Gold Rush days. And like all of that incredible history Groveland also has one more blast from the past...a real live service station: Vern's Groveland Gas Station.

On my way from visiting the comforts of Groveland and the wilds of Yosemite National Park, I pulled into the very diminutive Vern's. None of that fancy state-of-the-art stuff. No pay at the pump. Just an honest-to-goodness service station. I didn't know when I pulled in. I got out and was heading inside when a young man appeared. "I'll pump your gas," he said. "We don't have self-serve here."

I couldn't believe my ears. "What?" I asked. "Why?" looking a gift horse in the mouth. Imagine...service without having to ask!

The reason doesn't matter. What he answered was, "The station's been full-service since the current owner, Vern, took over in 1987."  My young service attendant, Tim, has worked at the station since 1996.  With pump running, he proceeded to clean my windshield. I hadn't even asked. Real service folks, I'm not fooling.

With my tank full I was ready to head down the road to Sacramento -- spirits renewed that there really are lots of little things out there that count. It made the spiraling fuel cost a lot easier to swallow.

BTW - If you're looking for a change in lifestyle and the idea of living on the edge of Yosemite appeals to you, Vern is looking to retire. Yes, that's right...Vern's Groveland Gas Station is for sale. I only hope that the new owners -- if and when they ever appear -- will see the value in a little old-fashioned service.

You rock, Vern!!

Barbara L. Steinberg

Dynamic Ceago Vinegarden Defines Green

Tucked away in Lake County, along the shores of beautiful Clear Lake, Jim Fetzer has taken sustainable agriculture to lofty heights. Well-known for his organic farming practices at the helm of Fetzer Vineyards in Mendocino County, Jim is perfecting sound farming practices using biodynamic and organic methods to produce quality grapes.

From the outsider’s viewpoint, some biodynamic practices seem more like witchcraft than sustainable farming. It’s an approach that includes traditional organic farming practices, as well as a belief that you must embrace the life forces that regulate the growing processes of the plants. You work with the forces of nature. The light and cosmic rhythms of the sun, moon, and stars contribute to the life, growth, and form of plants. These rhythms are used to time the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of crops. “On the dark of the moon you want to rack the wine,” advised Jim Fetzer.

Biodynamic recognizes that soil itself can be alive, and this vitality supports and affects the quality and health of the plants that grow in it. The more easily understood specifics of biodynamic farming include:

• No use of chemically synthesized fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fumigants, no hormones, antibiotics, growth regulators or GMOs.
• Basics of crop fertility is compost, manures, green manuring, and crop rotations.
• Weeds are controlled by similar means, by cultivation and by other mechanical methods.
• Composting materials, transplants, and animal feed imported from off the farm are very limited in quantity and must be of good quality.
• A certified biodynamic farm meets all the USDA and California standards for organic agriculture

Farm animals also play an important role in the health of the vineyard and farm. The Ag-mobile transports chickens around the property to help with bug populations. And a herd of wooly sheep are living a good life as four-footed weed whackers.

Ceago Vinegarden is not the run of the mill vineyard – organic or otherwise. The sprawling 220-acre lakefront property has heart-stopping views. The Mediterranean-style gardens and winery buildings will have you dreaming of lazy Tuscan afternoons. You can unwind at the Courtyard Café with a sampling of artisan cheeses and organic Ceago olives and olive oils, or maybe a hot dog…made with 100% sustainable grass-fed beef. Or stroll the length of the pier out over Clear Lake. And, of course, there’s the tasting room. After all, biodynamic farming is all about the highest possible quality. Enjoy the taste of wine and aromatic smell of dried lavender; all from the biodynamic richness of Ceago Vinegarden.