Evening on the Yuba
They flit and float
Wings aflutter.
In gathering darkness
Their bodies quiver.
They kiss the water
In an elusive dance.
And we watch the bats boogie
Above the river.
Barbara L. Steinberg
June 2, 2004
Rainbow Lodge
Soda Springs, CA
Rating: Stars*Stars*Stars*Stars*Stars
We'll all be wondering where we were - where we had been - before, during, and after the pandemic! I'm thankful to have enjoyed my first stay at the Abbey House Inn, Winters, California, just before everything went crazy and to reflect on the memory. Once the dust settles, I'll be back again to enjoy the warm hospitality. Every detail! Nothing was overlooked. Intimate seating areas throughout the garden and porches. Public spaces were cozy and, yes, just like coming home - especially if you love small-town life! This is not a B&B in the traditional sense - breakfast is not cooked to order. All types of snacks, beverages, cereals, yogurts, jams, jellies, breads, eggs - uncooked and hard boiled - are there for the taking. Dining room or alfresco, it's up to you.
After settling into our room we enjoyed a quiet beer and glass of wine on the front porch. Then the manager, Annette, treated us to a complimentary pedicab tour around town before dropping us off at Hooby's Brewing - the newest brew in town and locally owned and operated by twin sisters Courtney and Jackie - so much of Winter's seems to be a family affair. Again, you'll feel right at home once you arrive. All the best foods, brews, wines and spirits are within walking distance of the Abbey House Inn, a park and walk destination. Or biking, of course!
Under new ownership since 2017, Abbey House Inn has been meticulously decorated and outfitted to address your every need including free WiFi and flat-screen TVs. Pam and Eric Tavenier, the owners, and Annette appreciate my "feels like home" mantra.
We look forward to coming home to Abbey House Inn in the weeks ahead and the rest of our Visit Yolo story! Stay tuned and stay safe says this California omni-local!
Quilted comfort and early morning sunlight filterd upon your berth. Nick's Cove has defined romantic escape, raised the bar, and exceeded all expecations. by Barbara L. Steinberg
The romance begins by leaving urban shackles behind. There are country byways to inspire and lift your spirits as if the journey's end weren't reason enough. Stupefying scenic roads are the only access to Nick's Cove. Pick one -- Lucas Valley, Shoreline Highway, Point Reyes-Petaluma Road -- don't rush this odyssey. The stimulus of lush landscapes, rolling hills, valleys, craggy canyons and (eventually) bay and ocean views is visual foreplay. Tiny hamlets along the way offer comfort and Marin County specialties. Be one with the locals. If it's true what they say about oysters, be certain to shuck a dozen at Hog Island Oysters.
And finally, when you think it can't be any better...Nick's Cove...the gold at the imagined rainbow's end.
Romantic? OMG! Twelve luscious cottages tucked away in Marin County overlooking Tomales Bay. Through sunshine and fog, natural beauty abounds. Breathtaking views. The first encounter will leave you giddy. No detail has been ignored. Plush beds. Comfortable sitting areas, music, mini-fridge with drinks, and the most fantastic bathrooms. Delicious food, much of it local! Breakfast is delivered to your cottage -- juice, fresh fruit, homemade pastries, and coffee are included or for an additional charge -- buttermilk waffles, crab Benedict, steel cut oatmeal, bacon -- you decide. Barbecued oysters are delivered upon arrival!
Dine at Nick's Cove Restaurant where menus change frequently and are a locavore's dream. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac! So they say. Savor gourmet s'mores fused fireside. Sensous and finger licking good!
Back in your cottage, a cozy fire and sunset views await. Wink, wink!
The Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay State Park provide more reasons to escape and romance Marin County's abundant natural and agricultural landscapes. As if the enchantment of Nick's Cove could leave you wanting, there are other nearby distractions. Kayak, hike, explore or just enjoy the quiet serenity of this one-of-a-kind destination. Made for lovers, Heart's Desire Beach in Tomales Bay State Park is a favorite with kayakers. Scheduled kayaking tours are available.
Ask about seasonal and mid-week rates and AAA and AARP discounts. The staff is there to serve! Romantics will love that Nick's Cove is incredibly pet friendly.
More and more I find that great getaways really are in my backyard. Once again, this was proven too true on a recent journey in and around the Sutter Buttes. The back road excursion includes three small Sutter County communities and their up-and-coming wineries and tasting rooms. Locals may want this to stay a well-kept secret, but the Wineries of the Sutter Buttes are waiting to welcome you.
Open to the public, these three intimate wine tasting rooms radiate hospitality. You won’t find anyone but the wine-makers or their families and friends behind the pour. These are truly Sutter County’s family of “first” commercial wineries: Cordi Winery the county’s first commercial winery. Munger Family Vineyard the first in the town of Sutter. Sicilia Vineyards the first in Yuba City.
Take a chance on unexpected places and the roads less traveled. A stress-free day trip, create your own wine trail adventure. Depending on your approach, the Wineries of the Sutter Buttes are 45-60 miles north of Sacramento and in proximity to Yuba City, Marysville, Chico, and other foothill communities. You’ll likely need GPS to help find your way. That’s a good thing. However, what I advise is that you wander, get lost, find a longer way around, and breathe in the views!
The Sutter Buttes, unknown to most, emerge like a mythical ship that appears and disappears as you circumnavigate the 40-mile base on North, South, East and West Butte roads. A small circular complex of eroded volcanic lava domes that rise above the flat plains of the Sacramento Valley in Northern California’s Sutter County, the Buttes are situated just outside Yuba City. Recognized as “the world's smallest mountain range,” the Sutter Buttes has as their highest point the summit of South Butte, at 2,122+ feet, which is also the highest point in Sutter County.
“Every season in the Buttes is different,” remarked Sicilia co-owner Sandie Adams. “Lush green hillsides and wildflowers in the winter and spring give way to golden hills in the summer and fall.”
Privately owned, the Sutter Buttes are only accessible through Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes and events. There are a series of county roads that circle the Sutter Buttes; Pass Road goes through them on the south side. The loop is about 45 miles. A driving and wine tasting tour is a tranquil way to enjoy the locality. Fill your wildlife and nature senses and then your wine glasses at nearby wineries. The Sutter Buttes are also a much-loved destination for local cyclists.
In 2005, Patrick Daniel transformed the 1920s Imperial Theater into his steel fabrication and blacksmithing studio. He found his way from sheet metal work to commercial welding. Eventually, customer demand and a desire to be more creative motivated his move to decorative arts. “My parents were both creative. There’s something inside of everyone, but you have to discover what it is.” Son Jason Puckett was always helping, a dedicated worker, and shares that creative DNA. Best friends, father and son have similar styles collaborating on every project. Courtyard gates are popular but they fabricate everything from furniture to decorative wall hangings. The expanding art garden is a must see!
4160 Market Street, Walnut Grove, CA
(916) 776-2156
Friday 8am to 4pm
Saturday 8am to 4pm
Sunday: 8am to 4pm
If my Subaru can't get me there,
that's a good reason not to go!
As I've often noted: When it comes to ice cream I can take it or leave it. Unless, that is, it's the right ice cream. I have a short list of "right" favorites, but am always open to new temptations and have been known to drive many miles for an ice cream fix. Nothing gets my taste buds a fluttering quite like fresh strawberry ice cream! Word of Two Dog Night Creamery has piqued my interest. Did someone say, "Road trip!"
This just in from Sonoma County Tourism: Enjoy fresh, farm-to-cone ice cream in delicious seasonal flavors at the new Two Dog Night Creamery in Windsor, in northern Sonoma County.
The organic ice cream and cones are handmade daily using fresh (never frozen) organic dairy products from local farmers. The small batch ice cream is frozen using liquid nitrogen, which means little air is whipped into the cream, resulting in an ultra creamy, dense texture. Sample seasonal flavors include Blueberry Pie, with organic blueberry preserves and cinnamon streusel, and Yuzu Lemon, which blends lemon, mandarin orange, and grapefruit.
Note: The original Two Dog Night Creamery store in The Barlow center in Sebastopol is temporarily closed after the February floods, but will reopen soon.
Barbara's Best Bite on Sacramento Ice Cream Sandwich
Ginger Elizabeth's spin on ice cream and sandwiches
It is motoring meditation along the rutted back roads of my Virginia homeland.
Hand-laid rock walls and split-rail fences lace the boundaries of historic farms and country estates.
Songbirds–blue, red, and yellow–dart like rainbows across the road and zigzag trees thick with greenery.
Buddha cows wade through the velvet of belly-deep grass, while weathered farmers practice the Zen
of John Deere and Toro.
Proceed with Caution: Suburbia Ahead.
Barbara L. Steinberg
June 2003
Bluemont, Virginia
As symbols of love, hope and passion, roses are said to have miraculous healing powers and legendary for soothing both heart and soul. "Rose is a rose is a rose," American writer Gertrude Stein so dismissively said, but clearly she had never toured the rose gardens of Sonoma County. This is the time of year to see Sonoma's flowery bounty at its best. This pastoral landscape is filled with rose-inspired escapades of varying colors, fragrances, and form.
In any gardener’s realm, the stunning and grand Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is a long-stemmed beauty. Like delicate rose petals, pink walls wrap themselves around manicured gardens and steamy hot springs pools. The comforting embrace of a romantic suite includes a two-person Jacuzzi tub and luxurious 4-poster king-sized bed. At the inn’s Willow Stream Spa, partake of the “bathing ritual” and the source waters of Boyes Hot Springs. Then enjoy a couples’ Wine, Roses & Romance Package. This opulent pleasure includes sparkling wine and chocolate covered strawberries, daily breakfast in bed (for two), rose petal turndown, and sparkling wine tasting for two at Gloria Ferrer.
Santa Rosa residents honored their patron, Saint Rose, when naming this rose-rich community. Roses are revered each May at the Luther Burbank Rose Parade & Festival. Celebrated for more than 120 years, the festival paid homage to the rose long before the distinguished horticulturalist settled in the region. Known for his work with fruits and vegetables, Luther Burbank’s early work included hybridizing a number of roses which also played a part in his future research. Spectacular in spring, Burbank’s handiwork is beautifully displayed at the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens. Docent-led tours, April through October, include his greenhouse and Greek Revival home.
In gardening vernacular, Hotel La Rose in downtown Santa Rosa is truly Old World. Built in 1907, its timeless granite architecture belies its warm and gracious interior. Historic rooms are named for illustrious founders of Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad Square, where the hotel resides. The newer Carriage House surrounds a rose-draped courtyard and provides modern-day amenities. As a final compliment to this flourish of flowers, Hotel La Rose’s delightful Romance Rose Package – Sonoma County champagne, chocolates and a dozen red roses– sets the mood for love and romance.
At the Tudor Rose English Tea Room, enjoy the regal charms of high tea surrounded by hundreds to teacups and teapots. High Tea menus honor British royalty and celebrities, everyone from Prince George and Queen Victoria to Harry Potter and Mary Poppins. A variety of delicious repasts include assorted tea sandwiches, scones with house cream, sausage rolls, crumpets with lemon curd, and an endless pot of tea. An homage to Margaret Thatcher, the “Maggie” is pure vegan. Select from more than a dozen teas, including the wonderfully aromatic Tudor Rose.
With more than 425 wineries and 60,000 acres of Sonoma County vineyards, the notion of wine and roses goes far beyond any fantasy. Warm days of spring and summer are ideal for sipping a luscious pink drink of Sonoma County rosé. There are dozens of options, but what could be more fitting than Flowers Vineyard & Winery’s Rosé of Pinot Noir. With aromas of rose petals and subtle hints of strawberry and grapefruit, it’s elegant and distinct. Look for their new Healdsburg tasting room and visitor center in 2019.
Roses Sidebar:
See, Savor, and Smell Sonoma Roses
Luther Burbank Rose Parade & Festival – Santa Rosa
A time-honored tradition, the old-fashioned festival has boasted more than 3,500 participants in the parade and more than 20,000 spectators. Among the parade are local school marching bands, floats, equestrian teams, and units honoring local veterans. Don’t miss the Rose Bloom Competition, which may include as many as 300 entries.
Garden Valley Ranch – Petaluma
Indulge your senses! This historic ranch cuts 5,000 long-stemmed roses daily from more than 300 varieties May-October. Guided tours of the vintage garden where more than 100 hydrangeas and 35 varieties of magnolias, rose-draped pergolas, towering bay tree hedges, and California’s biggest Monterey Cypress astound amateur and professional gardeners alike. Spend the night in the beautifully-restored caretaker’s Victorian cottage on the garden grounds.
Korbel Champagne Cellars Rose Garden Tours – Guerneville
Accessible only by guided tours mid-April to mid-October, the gardens surrounding the splendid old Korbel farmhouse were redesigned several years ago by a master horticulturalist. With more than 100 varieties of antique roses – tree, climbers, Damascus, pillar – this tour is a real dazzler. A 130-year-old Lamarque rose was a housewarming gift from Luther Burbank to the Korbel family. Once you’re done ogling the garden, check-out the Korbel Champagne Cellars Tour which includes the world’s largest bottle of champagne…120 liters. Enjoy the tasting room and a little lunch on the patio at Korbel Deli & Market. Under the redwoods and with views of the vineyards – breathe deep.
Russian River Rose Company – Healdsburg
Jan and Michael Tolmasoff have made roses a way of life. With rose cuttings from a feral plant in Mendocino, old homesteads, rose aficionados and others purchased throughout the years their collection now numbers more than 650 varieties from shed-eating ramblers to tiny micro-miniatures from ancient and species roses and developed exclusive cultivars registered by the American Rose Society. Guided and self-guided tours of more than 20 display gardens and vineyards include, of course, a Wine & Rose Garden. Enjoy a fragrant demonstration of their historic Bulgarian perfume-making methods.If my Subaru can't get me there,
that's a good reason not to go!I
Springtime can be missed in a blink, however those with open eyes won’t miss the orchestra of colors that carpet California hillsides, meadows and landscapes with wildflowers. With thousands of varieties and numerous habitats, climates and terrain, the blooms are as varied and unique as California itself.
With most of the state experiencing an unusually wet winter, these “uncultivated flowering plants” should be bountiful in coming months. Early spring (February–April) is the opportune time to view desert blooms. Red Rock Canyon State Park is a juxtaposition of rock formations with vivid blossoms amidst beaver tail cactus and white blooming Joshua trees and yuccas. Early spring trekkers will be treated to desert candles, lilies and asters, wooly sunflowers and Indian paintbrush. The Coachella Valley Nature Preserve, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Death Valley National Park also showcase their share of seasonal color and are already flourishing.
Wildflowers generally peak March through early June, however an abundant snow pack will extend the Sierra Nevada wildflower season into the summer months. San Mateo’s Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve in the San Francisco Bay Area flourishes with blue larkspurs and lupines, pink shooting stars, white fairy lanterns and red paintbrush. Marin’s Chimney Rock at Point Reyes National Seashore showcases yellow goldfields, blue irises, poppies and Point Reyes chocolate lilies. Other popular locations in the Bay Area include the Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve near Novato and Napa’s Missimer Snell Valley Wildflower Preserve, where onlookers can appreciate the vibrant hues from the road. To be immersed true California color, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve near Lancaster in Los Angeles County consists of seven miles of trails through 1,745 acres of golden petals.
For late spring through summer viewing, head to higher elevations. Fish Slough and Lake Sabrina in Bishop are popular viewing areas in the Eastern Sierra. North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve in Butte County transforms into an endless sea of color and is one of the region’s premier viewing areas. The paths that lead you there (Highway 70, Cherokee Road), are equally spectacular.
Discover more great wildflower adventures at California State Parks
and Jepson Prairie Preserve in Solano County.If my Subaru can't get me there,
that's a good reason not to go!I
Wondrous Wildflowers & Amazing Aquatic Critters at Jepson Prairie Coming Soon in 2022
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.