Monday, January 24, 2011

California!!!!

Got to the border in midafternoon!  Pouring rain, windy and just plain nasty!  Drove to the Lucky 7 Casino in Smith River.  Small native operated casino but they have a good parking area for RVs so we decided to park and stay overnight.  No charge.  Went into the casino and got our first player's card ever.  Spent the $5.00 bucks they gave us and then went for a walk on the beach.
Came across some structures that must have been someone's summer home at one point.  Were startled by a rat!

Next day, headed out early even though it was still raining which let up shortly down the road.  Drove through some beautiful redwoods and stopped to have lunch in amongst them. 
At Legget we decided to go inland to get away from the rocky, wet coast and have some easier driving.  Stopped at Willits for diesel and a break.  Heading into Sonoma Wine Country .  I am sure in the summer it is very beautiful because it is quite stunning now.  Drove as far as Windsor, a small city in the wine country and parked beside a Holiday Inn Express for the night.  Walked downtown and into an antique store and a small wine tasting bar.  They told us about the Francis Ford Coppola Winery and said we should not miss that.  Next morning we got up and headed back to Healdsburg and the Coppola winery.
Had lunch in the restaurant and walked through the vineyards.  Did some wine tasting and spent time in the museum.  Wonderful place to visit.
Next stop SAN FRANCISCO!