Are You That Woman

Delta Time, Delta Ways

Yes, the Delta. Not the Mississippi Delta, but the California Delta! Some of you know of where I speak. Others have no idea that this magical landscape – thousands of watery miles, dozens of islands, wildlife expeditions galore, recreational wonderland – is out there waiting for you!

For many years, good fortune allowed me to explore the California Delta. My first encounter, sometime in the late ‘70s, left this East Coast native in complete awe. No other experience as a point of reference! Unfamiliar with the region, I had no hint where we were as we headed to Tower Park Marina. I just remember the many drawbridges, the topography, tiny river towns, and winding levee roads that brought us to our final destination: a sunset Delta cruise. I fell in love with the Delta time and ways.

For more than 50 years, the Delta love affair has grown stronger. By some standards, I am a layperson. As much as I have seen, it’s an immense area of specialty and a mere drop in the Delta bucket. Each time I venture out, I come away with something new, something more, and something extraordinary. And that’s the thrill of this Delta wonderland. Those who have made this a lifetime pursuit will say the same.

A few billowy clouds, blue sky, a small breeze, and the Delta stretched out before you. This is not about winning the race, but enjoying life at a slow and peaceful pace.  And enjoying life the way it used to be; the Delta ways are a trip back in time. Keep your eyes open for two local ferries – the Real McCoy and J-Mack – transporting trucks and cars from island to island.

A maze of winding roads, turning and tilting drawbridges, sloughs named Potato, Snodgrass, Georgiana, and Steamboat, and more than 1,000 miles of waterways, the California Delta is an astonishing haven. Just miles from Sacramento and the Bay Area, urban cares are forgotten along scenic highways and peaceful country lanes lined with orchards, vineyards, hamlets, and marinas. Always special, autumn colors and harvests make this drive truly magical.

The wildlife is bountiful. Canada geese, coots, cormorants, great and lesser egrets, great blue herons, night herons, raccoons, kestrel, red-tail hawks, ducks, and sandhill cranes. With binoculars and a camera close at hand, watch land mammals come and go from the shores. The West Coast’s largest estuary, it’s world-renowned for its bass population (small and largemouth and striped) and home to salmon, sturgeon, and catfish.

Reclaimed historic buildings feature wine and olive oil tastings. Sheltered by giant oaks, Consumnes River Farm Winery in Thornton may require your GPS. At Grand Island Vineyard in Walnut Grove, every bottle is 100% estate-grown. Journey to the Hemly Cider Hangar near Courtland featuring estate-grown or locally sourced fruit ciders.

Legendary Delta dives have cult followings. For 90 years at Foster’s Bighorn, locals and tourists have dined under the watchful gaze of hundreds of wild game trophies. Equally renowned, Al the Wop’s garlic steak sandwich with peanut butter is available by special request. Steamboat Landing Bar & Grill has been reborn with a fantastic Chinese menu and full bar.  Outdoor dining is a big plus!  Numerous backwater havens – Korth’s Pirate Lair, Rusty Porthole, Viera’s Resort – are accessible by boat or car. Reserve in advance for Sunday brunch at the Grand Island Mansion, northern California’s largest private estate.

Vestiges of notable Chinese and Japanese American communities remain.   A once bustling Chinatown, Locke is a designated National Historic Landmark District.  Built in 1927, the Walnut Grove Buddhist Church still serves the community.  Originally a Chinese gambling hall, brothel, and opium den, Mei Wah Tap Room in Isleton features 24 curated craft brews (many local), as well as kombucha, cider, seltzer and nitro coffee. 

There is a delicate balance necessary to protect the California Delta. Natural and manmade invaders threaten the health of the Delta. Invasive water hyacinths, quagga mussels, mitten crabs, and a kelp-like forest of Egeria densa (a popular aquarium plant) grow thick. Many intruders were brought innocently to this delicate ecosystem as hitchhikers aboard freighters and boats that ply this labyrinth of rivers. Some, deliberately, by human hands.  Either way, we must work to protect this Delta gift, which is (literally) the lifeblood of water for most of California

Arriving by land or water, California Delta websites and maps help you chart your course. Proceed with caution along narrow levee roads. Always call ahead to confirm days and hours of operation. Remember, you’re on Delta time.  For more information, visit www.californiadelta.org.

 

Originally featured

If my Subaru can't get me there, I won't go.

Wildflowers Arrive at Jepson Prairie Preserve

Wondrous Wildflowers & Amazing Aquatic Critters at Jepson Prairie Coming Soon in 2024  

Wildflower season is coming, and Solano Land Trust’s Jepson Prairie docents are getting ready to share the first wave of vernal pool flowers. Weather permitting, there will be two-hour guided walks starting in the spring.

A vernal pool is a world of exceptional diversity and an ecological system of great complexity, and Jepson Prairie Preserve is one of the best remaining examples of vernal pools in all of California. Enjoy an easy, meandering walk under wide-open skies with knowledgeable docents while exploring the bunchgrass prairie and walking alongside the claypan vernal pools. The prairie is transformed by winter rains into fields of stunning wildflowers including white meadowfoam, yellow carpet, and miniature lupine. Docents will also introduce you to the rare aquatic animals, all on the Endangered Species list, that live in the ephemeral pools, including vernal pool fairy shrimp, Conservancy fairy shrimp, and the larvae of the California tiger salamander.

Jepson Prairie Preserve, a designated National Natural Landmark, is located on Cook Lane, off Highway 113, about ten miles south of Dixon and eight miles north of Highway 12. Stay tuned for details about dates, times, location, price, and contact information. Participants should bring a backpack with plenty of water, and snacks or a picnic lunch. They should wear boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes, layered clothes, and protection from the elements. It is often windy at Jepson Prairie, and they should be prepared for wet trails and the chance of fog. Rain may cancel. Visitors should bring drinking water and may also want to bring a hand lens, binoculars and a camera. For directions and additional details, visit solanolandtrust.org.

Since its founding in 1986, Solano Land Trust has permanently protected more than 20,000 acres of working farms and natural areas in Solano County.  Learn more, see a full list of outdoor adventures, and become a member at www.SolanoLandTrust.org. 

What: Docent-led tours of the Jepson Prairie Preserve
Who: Solano Land Trust & Jepson Prairie Docents
When: Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to noon - dates and days to be determined. 
Where: Jepson Prairie Preserve, Intersection of Highway 113 and Cook Lane, 13 miles south of Dixon. Go straight at flashing light onto Cook Lane, gravel road.
Why: See the wondrous wildflowers and amazing aquatic invertebrates of Jepson Prairie.

Sacramento River Cruise intimate wine & beer tasting experience

Five friends spent a leisurely afternoon on the Sacramento River.  With lots of chatter and laughter we cruised into a beautiful California Delta sunset.

After months of planning and securing just the right vessel, Sacramento River Cruise officially launched (pun intended) in September 2018 abroad the 24-foot Sisu (Fishman East) boat. Sisu is a Finnish word that means stamina, fortitude, and guts which is what new owner Captain Emil Gagliardi had when he towed the Roccus earlier this year across country from Connecticut. Built in New Hampshire, the one-time lobster boat that fished out of Boston Harbor is now relishing the California life.

This two-hour cruise for 2-6 passengers is just what the river and the Roccus needed. Enjoy flights of local wine and beer and delicious charcuterie of cheeses, prosciutto, fruit, olives, breads and more. A quiet afternoon or sunset sail is the ideal way to spend time with family and friends. Captain Emil welcomes you aboard with a broad smile to relax at the padded and intimate seating area and table. Located at the Clarksburg Marina, Sacramento River Cruise is waiting to greet you. Be sure to bring your sunglasses and a warm sweater as river weather is changeable from warm, sunny days to cool Delta evenings.

Make this a day trip. Stop by Husicks Taphouse in Clarksburg. Take a quiet drive down the River Road to historic Walnut Grove before or after your cruise. Other nearby options to dine and wine include the Freeport Wine Country and Freeport Bar & Grill. The Old Sugar Mill offers a variety of wine and olive oil tasting options, too.

Keep your eyes on the sky as local and migratory wildlife make their way up and down the river. Part of the Pacific Flyway, during winter months the California Delta is home to thousands of migratory birds. For more information visit California Watchable Wildlife.

More photos!

Bird Watcher Paradise -Sandhill Cranes Visit Sacramento River Delta

Day Trip to Woodbridge Ecological Reserve by Barbara L. Steinberg

Saturday was winding down. A perfect December day in the Sacramento Valley and along the Sacramento River Delta (or California Delta depending who you ask). Dry weather brings balmy days and very cold nights. It also means clear skies and stunning sunsets for birders who venture to the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve/Phil & Marilyn Eisenberg Sandhill Crane Reserve during the winter bird migration. A major stop along the Pacific Flyway, it's especially popular with the B-52s of birds, the sandhill cranes. Their annual visitation attracts birdwatching enthusiasts from around the region and world. And reason to celebrate the 20th annual Sandhill Crane Festival in nearby Lodi, California. 

Thousands of sandhill cranes along with similar numbers of geese, swans,
ducks, and various shorebirds spend fall and winter months in flooded farm fields along Woodbridge Road off Interstate 5. Each day at sundown -- yes, you can set your clock -- the spectacle begins. And then there are those rare days where sunsets are matched by a full-moon rise. The sounds and sights are breathtaking. In the fading light, the cranes appear ghostly in the shallow water. They will spend the night feeding, resting and courting. Their frenzied dance -- jumping and wings spread -- is part of the display.

Self-guided visitations occur daily. The reserve, property of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, also has docent-led tours.These tours fill-up fast, so book ahead.

But whatever you do, don't miss this annual event -- migration and festival. I've been many times -- the wow factor is always the same. This video from 2011 tells the whole story. If you're really dedicated, morning visits can net you some spectacular views. Thank you to James D. Simon for this incredible YouTube video

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Stockton Chinese New Year Parade came in like a Lion

Under blue skies and sunshine, the 37th Annual Stockton Chinese New Year Parade was pure celebration! Year of the Ram was greeted by young and old -- including 95-year-old Blanche Chin Ah Tye Grand Marshall and CCSS Citizen of the Year.  Honor guard, dignitaries, vintage cars, and Lion Dancers paraded past Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium.

The traditional Lion Dancers were the most exciting and colorful part of the day-long event. A tradition in China since 619 A.D. and the Tong Dynasty, Kung Fu is the foundation of this beautiful art form. Lion Dancers develop their stances and conditioning based on this martial art.

Following the parade, the festival included a vendors, food, and more Lion Dancing. Join us in Celebrating Stockton.

Happy New Year Stockton: Again!

Stockton is culturally diverse. Beautifully and deliciously so! The impending Chinese and Vietnamese New Years are a perfect indicator of this fact.  A lunar celebration – parade and feasts will take place within two months of the Western Gregorian/solar calendar.  More reasons for merriment and festivities I always say. Can’t get enough of a good thing.

In the Vietnamese tradition, 2015 is the Year of the Goat – one of the 12 Eastern zodiac animals.  The Vietnamese zodiac also incorporates five elements: Metal, Wood, Wind, Water, Fire and Earth. The coming celebration is actually “Ất Mùi” which means Wood Goat

People born under the sign of “goat” are said to be hard-working and determined. I’m not sure if the owners of Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant are born under this sign, but they are incredibly hard-working and determined. There’s a wonderful “My Stockton” story that supports that thought, but for now the focus is the upcoming Tet – Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant has a long history on Pacific Avenue. The current owners took over in 2001.  Annually, Saigon Vietnamese celebrates with a prix fixe dinner and lots of traditional fanfare. Firecrackers, martial arts demonstrations, dragon dancers, friends and family pack the restaurant, and Belly Buddha another good luck sign, he’s always laughing. 

Chúc Mừng Nǎm Mới The restaurant's celebration is February 21^st – reservations should be made ASAP for the $36 per-person party – it’s nearly sold out! Appetizers, salad, special New Year’s eggroll, Nem a traditional Vietnamese sausage just for the celebration, and dessert – of course!

恭禧發財Following close on its heels, Stockton’s 37^th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration March 1, 2015; 11am to 5:30pm marks the Year of the Ram.  A great community and cultural event it attracts more than 3,000 attendees.  City-sponsored, this one-day parade and festival is family-friendly and it’s all FREE!  The parade begins at 10:00am rain or shine! You don’t want to miss the Lion Dance Troupes!

The festival at Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium features continuous stage entertainment from 11:30am to 3:30pm and includes the Stockton Chinese Ladies Dance Troupe, Bayland Dancing, Capitol Chinese Orchestra and the Stockton Bukkyo Taiko Group. This year’s festival features a KidZone with carnival games and Paul Buethe “The Yo-yo Man” – he’s very cool and Uber across the pond, so I'm told! Not to be forgotten, lots of food – chow mein, sweet & sour pork, Dim Sum, sesame balls and the usual festival food – come famished. 

Proceeds from the festival benefit cultural programs and scholarships for local youth through the Chinese Cultural Society of Stockton.  

Seven hours of food frenzied fun on this Stockton Restaurant Week outing

Okay, Stockton Restaurant Week not true! It’s actually Stockton Restaurant 10 Days from January 16-25, 2015. Be glad and rejoice – 10 days of potential gluttony on the heels of the holidays and resolutions to get slim and trim. Just take it slow and easy; everything in moderation. Start exploring Stockton’s restaurant scene – new dining establishments, personal favorites, or the bucket list eateries you’ve been passing on for far too long!  You don’t have to sign-up. You don’t have to buy tickets. You just have to show-up and eat.  Can’t get any easier than that. Participating restaurants are offering prix fixe menus – lunch and dinner – at amazing prices.  

For me, Stockton Restaurant Week aka Stockton Restaurant 10 Days was condensed into Stockton Restaurant Week/10 Days in seven hours. This sometime local wishes it were easier to partake of more of the culinary offerings, but there simply aren’t enough hours or calories in my schedule.  This is just a sneak peek – snippets of how to chow down over the next 10 days. I’ll provide more details on my dining choices at a later date. So, deep breath and dive in.

Day two of Stockton’s 10 days of food, I zigged and zagged my way through fog as it settled across the Central Valley.  I headed south on Hwy. 99 to make up for lost time, but then zigged onto Twin Cities Road to escape the freeway hustle. The Delta back roads were quieter still under the fog blanket.  My stomach reminded me I had miles to go before I could eat, so I zagged onto Interstate 5 at Thornton and jettisoned at March Lane. Phew, food was close at hand.

There are more than 15 Stockton Restaurant Week participants.  However, you can get creative (as I did) and add your own. Back to the bucket list, I decided to cross a couple of places off mine.  I knew I would have to pace myself, but this would provide some insight about restaurants and cafes I had yet to experience.  Up at the crack of ridiculous, a caffeine jolt was needed. Having heard good things about House of Shaw-Espresso Café – a longtime café off Pacific Avenue – it was my first stop where I quickly requested a Half-Caff Americano with a dollop of frothed milk to fortify me against the foggy chill and sleep-deprivation. 

A bit of a rumbling in my tummy while perusing the menu –everything from bagels and croissant to soups and sandwiches.  With more food ahead, I opted for the homemade lentil soup. Thick, creamy and piping hot! The perfect start to my Stockton food fest.

Rested and fed, I headed out to enjoy more of The Miracle Mile. While I have spent my fair share of time on The Avenue…there’s still  that much more to see and gobble. Another casualty on the bucket list was Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant. The menu was so tempting, but I needed to keep things light. Vegetarian spring rolls was an ideal selection. The rolls were crisp and fresh with the requisite peanut dipping and chili sauces.  I intended to eat only one of the four rolls, but they were too tempting and I relished three before boxing up #4.

With a big sigh, I headed back out into the January chill.  As usual, the day was rushing by and my “true” lunchtime destination was out there waiting. Not to snub all the other Stockton Restaurant Week contributors, but in the realm of eeny, meny, miny, and moe there are winners and losers. My winner on the Stockton Restaurant Week in seven hours was down Pacific Avenue at Lincoln Cellar.

Four months new to Stockton and Lincoln Center shops, Lincoln Cellar is a scrumptious wine bar and restaurant.  Their Stockton Restaurant Week lunch menu piqued my palate – top of the list Tomato Basil Bisque and Grilled Cheese on Sourdough with oven-roasted potatoes. Yowzer! Winter comfort in my book and for $10 – deal! There are two other lunch items on the Lincoln Cellar’s Restaurant Week Menu plus the $25 dinner offerings.  Lincoln Cellar’s list of wines and beers is formidable and mostly local (regional or California) but I opted instead  for a crisp Stella Artois Cidre.  I only wish – really, really wish – I had had room for dessert. Another day. Another dining extravaganza!

The clock is ticking on Stockton Restaurant Week. Even after it's gone, there will be plenty of reason to eat, drink and be merry around town. Chow!

Travel adventures for New Year 2015 begin with Stockton

Wow, 2014 flew by.  On several flights of fancy, I found myself exploring, enjoying, and smiling my way through Stockton and San Joaquin County. New experiences and friends (truly) made it a year to remember. And feeling very gratified for a myriad of opportunities to write about and share online, on television, and face-to-face OMG! Stockton moments.

I love all things California! You may be wondering how I chose to Visit Stockton? Like so many destinations, Stockton chose me! Well, almost. Two years ago, January 20, 2013, on a random outing at Cosumnes River Preserve, I fell in love with a little girl wearing gold-sparkly Tom’s. She and her parents were exploring this nearby Stockton neighbor.  Stella, the future star, caught my eye and I asked if I could take her picture.  They said, “Yes!” I did.

The parents and founders of The Tuleburg Group, Jason and Becky, invited me to discover their insider perspective of Stockton. I did again! The rest, as they say, is history. It’s not that I had never visited Stockton before, but they opened my eyes to all that I did not know.  I have been thanking them ever since. For a non-Stocktonian, I am their biggest fan and likely know more about the city than most natives or locals! When I embrace something it’s always 120%.

Overtime, Visit Stockton and I engaged in a win-win arrangement.  Actually, I genuinely believe I’m the big winner here. Ask all of my new Stockton friends who know me as a sometimes local.

There are so many stories that haven’t made their way to the websites, blogs and Facebook yet, but I vocally spread good news about Stockton to anyone who says “It ain’t so!” Looking forward to a year filled with exploration -- California and beyond.

Back to the concept of a random outing – nothing is random.  Stella and I were on a collision course that day two years ago. When in my Facebook posting I said, “I see great things ahead for Stella,” the reality is that great things were destined for me as well.

Find me on Facebook. Find me in Stockton. Just find me and bring me your stories. Say hello! This weekend I’ll be around for Stockton Restaurant Week. Too much fun and not nearly enough time.

Chow babies!

Facebook quote that got this whole Stockton obsession rolling:  “Okay...drum roll. The next candidate for Are You That Woman? Presenting.... Stella. Out with parents, Becky & Jason, Stella was a perfect Cosumnes River ambassador. Proudly showing off her sparkling Toms shoes, offering to share her Swedish Gummy Fish, and completely fascinated by every little thing. I see great things ahead for Stella. 1/20/2013”

 

Get Your Holiday Groove on in Stockton California

Holiday Getaways for Thanksgiving Weekend & Black Friday as Seen on Sac & Co.

You’ve had your fill of Thanksgiving cheer and Black Friday’s door has opened on the retail holiday season. Resist your urges towards mall mania and enjoy post-turkey delirium with a day-trip or even an overnight esc ape your return from feasting with family and friends or specifically an outing from Sacramento – it’s an easy retreat to Stockton and what you discover will astound and amaze you!

Get ready to rumble with the Stockton Thunder’s Black Friday home game. Free black tees to first 1,000 fans 18 and over! The premier AA hockey league affiliated with the New York Islanders – has made the playoffs every year since 2006.  Great sport for kids – the three fast-paced 20-minute periods with two intermissions and great on the ice promotions. Kids can decompress while parents sit back and smile. Make this an overnight experience at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel adjacent to the Arena. Home game buffet before – menus vary from appetizers to slider bars and prime rib – different feature for each game. Then, post-game players are available for autographs at University Plaza Waterfront Hotel.  The chic hotel is comfortable and convenient for all your Stockton activities. You'll love the lounge and restaurant. Friends, families, romance. Yep, they've got it all!

Stockton, like the rest of California, is culturally diverse. The most eye-opening example is the Cambodian Buddhist Temple hidden away off a Highway 99 frontage road – the more than 90 statues depicting the life of Buddha are truly larger than life! The Buddha in death is more than 50 feet long and 12 feet high. The Temple is open to the public every day at no charge. This place is a photographer’s dream especially in the early morning light. So if you want to get up and get going, put this at the top of your morning list.

Stockton is no stranger to the arts – world-class arts! The crown jewel of Stockton’s arts and history is The Haggin Museum – another (almost) hidden gem. Situated in the heart of Victory Park, the 80+-year-old museum features permanent and rotating exhibits. Currently, Heroes & Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross will bring a smile to faces of all ages. You’ll recognize some of your favorite caped crusaders along with famous artists who inspired a young Alex. The museum houses collections by famous artists JC Leyendecker and Albert Bierstadt which are world-renown.  Comic book fans should seek and discover JNA Collectibles on West Fremont selling vintage comics from Fantastic Four and Avengers to Spiderman – these are the real deal. Whereas over on the Pacific Avenue – the Miracle Mile – for more than 40 years Al’s Comics has thousands of the latest issues – popular with parents and kids.

For more than 90 years – imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and that’s true with The Miracle Mile – local developer Joseph Plecarpo got the idea from LA’s Whilshire Boulevard – shopping the way we used to shop – strolling The Avenue! Small local restaurants, pubs, and retail specialty shops will be celebrating Black Friday and American Express Small Business Saturday. Need more turkey, dive into Mile Wine Company’s 4^th Friday in November Sandwich Special – turkey, Brie and Cranberry Mustardo. Live blues and jazz every weekend.  Gian’s Italian Deli (pronounced John’s) is a favorite for more than 50 years – homemade with love raviolis, sauce, breads….Kitchen specialties at Home Thyme, Dragonfairy metaphysical gift store,   and Christmas magic at With Garden Flair. The Abbey Trappist Pub will be pouring holiday beers. It’s where locals have shopped for more than 50 years. Great music weekends at Mile Wine and Valley Brewing -- hey, did we mention that Stockton is home to the Dave Brubeck Institute – translates into incredible music! Centrale Kitchen & Bar plus the old Stockton Empire theater now Empresso Coffeehouse – kitschy and excellent caffeine fix.

Yes, you may actually need your GPS to navigate. Spend the afternoon on Stockton’s Miracle Mile and then follow Pacific Avenue back to Sacramento. Yes, I am suggesting that you stay off Interstate 5. The roads of old will lead you out of Stockton and onto Thornton Road. You will need to zigzag a bit but once you cross Highway 12 – it’s open space and jogs through the tiny hamlets of Thornton and (yes) downtown Franklin. You’ll avoid any and all traffic coming and or going. I do it all the time.

More About Stockton

Stockton Road Trip is Buddhaliscious

My romance with California began more than 24 years ago. I started traveling California. Exploring. Every corner. Every back road. Border to border. Coast to mountains. Urban. Rural. Big towns and small. For all I have seen, been, and done...it's a drop in the bucket. California is endless. Her secrets sometimes hidden, but more often, right in front of you. Open your eyes! 

Hundreds of years ago, the Island of Califa existed in mythical proportions. In modern times, it still does. The magic is there waiting for you. Waiting for me. I continue to venture out to discover what I know will be countless OMG! moments. Unlocking one more secret or not so secret treasures.

California never disappoints. Often words cannot describe what I see and experience. What continues to drive my passion for all things California and the continuing love affair. California, the true Center of the World! The center of my world.

Prepare yourself and enjoy these images from the Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple in Stockton, California. This is too fantastic! A gift. And where is this place of extreme beauty and spirituality? Off a freeway, down a frontage road, on a back street. My Mantra to you is this: Take the roads less traveled. They will take your breath away.