Friday, March 31, 2017

Journey To Sonoma

SET OUT ON THE ROAD AGAIN, this time to Sonoma! A place I have never been though I heard of it numerous times.  It was a two hours drive from home and on the way, we stopped at Vacaville for breakfast at Wendy's.  We quickly grabbed a bite, cod fish burger and we were all set again... to go shopping the at the Outlet stores in Vacaville!  Though we were only given half an hour, we did not mind, just one shop we wanted to enter, that is the Fossil outlet.  I think we spent more than half an hour inside, he came looking for us... LOL... and our journey continued.... Somehow we managed to purchase a few things, just at Fossil... I wonder how many hours we would take if we were to walk the whole area!  Ladiessssss.....

We made another stop again.. this time the driver wanted us to try the Best ice cream he has ever eaten... Frozen Freeze.... yes, though it was still freezing outside, all of us wanted to get one to try.. a medium one too!  There is no such word as FAT when it comes to desserts! LOL...
Before setting off the journey, I "fooled" around again... 
Setting out in the car... for breakfast, shopping and desserts...
At Fosters Freeze....
Taken against the sun...
This is the best, so it seems.. 
Vanilla Ice Cream!!
Not at all sweet.... hmmmm.... 
So everyone can eat....slurp..lick..bite... 
After our belly are full, our journey continued on.... 
Taken from our moving car... 
Passing through lots of vineyards... all the way to our resort....
All over on the main road and up the hills....
Beautiful spring green green grass of home....
Sonoma....


*one disadvantage though... no wifi at the condo...
no wifi means no oxygen*

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Sirloin Steak At Texas Roadhouse, Sacramento

OUR DAY TRIP ENDED AROUND 4.00PM... We decided to go for our early dinner at Texas Roadhouse, they are offering $13.99 for a special meal from 4pm till 6pm.  Not wanting to miss the offer, we were one of the early birds who catch the early worms.  I love going to this Texas Roadhouse, I love their juicy and succulent grilled steak.  On top of that, there are two unlimited appetizers, groundnuts and buns are served endlessly.... and what is free and nice attracts me!  LOL...
Parking was easily accessible because we were the early diners....
Come, let's go in!
Hey, seems like we were not the early ones....
Fresh and nice... 
The offer banner behind her.... how not to resist...
Nice cowboyish ambience...
Taken from my angle where I was sitting...
Limitless Hot Fresh Buns...  so fresh that I ate three at one go!
This is my order... 
8oz sirloin steak, shrimps and two side orders.....
My sisters' servings...
And this....
A good deal at $13.99, right!?
Caesar's Salad...
This is a 12oz Ribeye.. $20
And The Round Face Ladies!
Eat and Be Merry!!


Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Visit To Locke And Rio Vista

THERE IS ONE REASON why we were taken to this river drive... My BIL wanted us to visit a place called Locke, a surname which is similar as to my mother's, my grandfather's,my great-grandfather and the list goes on.  I was also curious why this small place was named Locke in the middle of California... and now I know why....

Locke was founded in 1915 after a fire broke out in the Chinese section of nearby Walnut Grove. The Chinese who lived in that area decided that it was time to establish a town of their own. A committee of Chinese merchants, led by Lee Bing, Chan Hing Sai, Tom Wai, Chan Dai Kee, Ng So Hat, Chan Wai Lum, Chow Hou Bun, and Suen Dat Suin was formed. They approached land owner George Locke and inquired if they could build on his land. An agreement was reached. The town was laid out by Chinese architects and industrious building ensued. The founding of Lockeport, later 'Locke', was a reality. By 1920 Locke stood essentially as you see it now.

Levee construction originally brought the Chinese to this area, but by the time Locke was built most of the work was in farm labor. Locke had many businesses that catered to the farm workers and residents of this region. In the 1940's restaurants, bakeries, herb shops, fish markets, gambling halls, boarding houses, brothels, grocery stores, a school, clothing stores, and the Star Theatre lined the bustling streets of Locke. At its peak 600 residents, and as many as 1500 people occupied the town of Locke.

On August 2, 1970, Locke was added to the registry of national historical places, by the Sacramento County Historical Society, because of its unique status as the only town in the United States built exclusively by the Chinese for the Chinese.

Locke is no tourist trap, nor is it a ghost town. Its unusual, out-of-the-way charm is genuine. Perhaps it is this authenticity, without any hypocritical overtones, which brings so many out of town visitors to its doors.  

So Locke is not a Chinese surname as I thought it was though the community are mostly Chinese, so I heard...
This museum formerly a school greeted us upon arrival....
But the main road looks pretty quiet.. no souls in sight.... 
I wonder where they are.... 
But the shops were opened for business...
Nobody, nobody but us.....
This place might be suitable for movie filming.... 
So ancient-like...... with Chinese words on every shop....
Perhaps the remake of a thriller movie can be done here... 
Starting with us first.... 
After spending some minutes we proceeded on our way to...
To another city... 
Called Rio Vista....
Where the rivers meet.... 
Took a couple of pictures to mark our "presence"
Here and there.... 
And soon we were on our back ... stopping halfway to buy some "snacks".. 
And then on the way passing through Lodi and back to 
Sacramento for our dinner at Texas Roadhouse....


Monday, March 27, 2017

The Long And Winding Road Trip

ONE FINE MORNING, WE WOKE TO A CLEAR BLUE SKY....  the guests in Sacramento were looking forward to a river drive and we passed by a few towns and cities.  Before leaving the house, I had a crazy time doing some "modeling" no one in Malaysia expected me to... LOL...  The moment the pictures were being taken, the sky turned cloudy... oh dear, hope the rain would not start otherwise our spirits would be dampened. :)

Our road trip started from Sacramento to Freeport, Hood, Courtland, Locke, Walnut Grove, Ryde and further down south to Rio Vista, then passing through Lodi, Galt and back to Sacramento.  Interesting?  How did I manage to remember all these names?  Now I am getting smarter, I took a picture of the map on the way so that I can remember!  On the way, we sang songs... especially Lodi pronounced or "Lor Dai" and there is this song by CCR and we started to sing this when we passed Lodi.... Just about a year ago, I set out on the road... seeking my fame and fortune, looking for a pot of gold... Things got bad and things got worse, I guess you know the tune... Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi again..... "  Anyone remembers this song?  :)

Reanaclaire's many poses before setting out on the road..... 
Hi Fren!!
Jom!!  Let's Go!
The long and winding road....
That leads me to your door.... 
Will never disappear.....
I've seen that road before...
It always lead me here....
Lead me to your door....
The wild and windy night, that the rain washed away....
Has left a pool of tears, crying for the day.....
Why leave me standing here.... Lead me to your door.....
Sorry, sorry, I was being carried away by this song...
The Long and Winding Road.....
Pear Trees.... everywhere along the road....
Starting to bloom.....
Taking a Break along the way...... 
Half mission accomplished....


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