“Going home is a joy you cannot grasp unless you left home” – unknown
Our days in Kentucky have open our eyes to many things, but the biggest surprise is the number of people we encounter that have never visited California. The miss conceptions of what the Golden State truly has to offer is beyond mind boggling. To sum up the comments could easily be compared to the number of square acres of our home state of 163,695 if not even greater. Variety is copious but consists of the likes of the entire state is like San Diego (which all by itself is multiple mini cultures rolled up into a pretty little package), there isn’t a cloud in the sky and it is a pleasant temperature, let’s say 78 and sunny ALWAYS. The reality can’t be further from the truth. Granted that there are days just like the mind imagines, but it isn’t a two or even three-dimensional state, the complexities, change in terrain, climate and the significant industry base extends way beyond the world of all things tech. As much as I would love to sing the praises of the agricultural endeavors (basically it feeds the world in multiple commodities) I thought maybe documenting my trip back home would shed a little light on the realities. My only disclaimer, we visited some pretty cool locations and not all of the sunny state reflects these stops. If you don’t believe me travel up Highway 5 from southern California north and let me know how fabulous that feels, looks and even smells.
Saturday, June 1, 2024 – Day 1
| Location | Louisville to San Diego County |
| Weather | Overcast 65 degrees, Sun made brief Appearance |
| Activity | Travel, Birthday Party, & Cocktails at Monarch Ocean Pub |
| Steps | 11,880 Steps |
| Special People | Dente Family, Lena & Jen |
We began our journey in the historic, picturesque town of Del Mar. Originally designed to be an area for housing of teachers in the area, the community is sprinkled with longtime residents and remodeled million-dollar plush beach houses. Our home for the next three nights was east of Highway 5 in the Del Mar Heights area. We arrived at the Dente home just in time to celebrate their granddaughter Lucy’s third birthday. It had everything you need cupcakes, princess tattoos and a big loving family. We skipped out for a brief visit to one of our favorite views from the deck of Monarch Ocean Pub, were we got to have a quick toast with Jen and Lena. After a full day of travel we welcomed our nights rest and fell asleep dreaming of all the items on my check list of “things” I wanted to do over the next 8 days.
PSA for day one. I packed foot detox pads that I had purchased off of Amazon. Sleeping with these little gems not only aided in a great sleep, but did wonders for our circulation and worn out feet.
Sunday, June 2, 2024 – Day 2
| Location | Del Mar |
| Weather | Overcast 65 degrees, Sun made brief Appearance |
| Activity | Walk in Cardiff by the Sea, Sbicca, Church, & Brigantine |
| Steps | 13,885 Steps |
| Special People | Dente Family, Dr. Frank Sinatra |
Today began with checking-off an item on my list, ocean visit, and relive my days living in Cardiff by the Sea. One of my favorite past times was walking the neighborhood, then down toward Encinitas and if the tide was cooperating a stroll back on the beach. Big thanks to Kathleen for being game for this very long journey with me that cloudy morning. The sound of the sea and the smell of the air still evoke some mystic healing property to my soul. Needless to say, it was an A+ morning.
Tod and I took some time in the afternoon to have a snack and cocktail at Sbicca (the establishment were we actually met) and then went to the 5pm church service at St. James in Solana Beach. The evening ended having dinner with one of my favorite horse players (and his name just makes me smile) Dr. Frank Sinatra. Might I add during the first two days I ate as much fish as the menu would offer. My dinner of ahi tuna served on wonton chips was amazing combined with fabulous California wine was the icing on the cake.
Monday, June 3, 2024 – Day 3
| Location | Del Mar & Lunch in La Jolla |
| Weather | Overcast 65 degrees |
| Activity | Coffee at Philz, Shore Rider, and Relaxing Evening |
| Steps | 10,254 Steps |
| Special People | Dente Family, Richard from UCSD, & my cousin Jeremy |
Monday was a pretty mellow day. I did check off the list my desire for fish and chips and a Philz Coffee. Super last minute itinerary audible was lunch with my cousin Jeremy in La Jolla. Fun addition the drive home we cruised by UCSD and Torrey Pines. That golf course never disappoints of its simplistic beauty. Even if you aren’t an avid golfer, I highly suggest a visit to the lodge and sample the public course that has hosts multiple major golf tournaments.
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 – Day 4
| Location | Del Mar to Santa Monica |
| Weather | Overcast 65 degrees, Sun made brief Appearance |
| Activity | Travel to Santa Monica to stay at the Oceana LXR |
| Steps | 12,866 Steps |
| Special People | Just Us |
Known on this trip as the “Best Tuesday Ever” (a phrase said to us by a gentleman checking into this luxurious oasis) this was the one day that wasn’t jammed packed with visits and activities. Using a Hilton Rewards certificate, we spent one magical night at a truly relaxing location for free. Which made the experience even more delightful.
The pros and cons of the day. Santa Monica isn’t what is use to be from a shopping perspective. Walking down the 4th street promenade was eye opening. What was once a vibrant, colorful world of mixing people, shopping and food was replaced with boarded up storefront, homeless residents and the occasional store still open for business. We made it a few blocks and decided it was too sad to continue and headed back to the Ocean Ave. The afternoon was spent reading poolside and enjoying a lovely glass of champagne. With the final treat dinner at our favorite oyster bar and dessert on the terrace of our hotel with an espresso martini in hand.
PSA for travel. When I started this blog years ago Tisha wanted me to write about using “points”. I am very loyal to Hilton and enjoy the perks with staying true to this course. Thus this night would have cost $900 with rack rate. Did I mention we traveled first class thanks to United miles? Loyalty has it perks, stay true to the brand and the magic will happen.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 – Day 5
| Location | Santa Monica to Templeton |
| Weather | Overcast until we reached the top of San Marcos Pass Paso Robles was 106 |
| Activity | Travel, Wine Tasting at Daou & Eberle Winery, Mcphees Grill |
| Steps | 7,108 Steps |
| Special People | Foti, Tina, Stacy, Kayla, Papa Cummings & Mom |
We embarked on the journey north with a chill in the air and the sun nowhere in sight. Taking over the driving duties in Santa Barbara I elected to venture over the pass into the Santa Ynez valley. It was on this stretch of road that the sun finally became part of our daily ritual. Stopping at the San Luis Obispo airport to drop off the rental car, Foti was kind enough to pick us up and later deposit us at our final resting place with my mom. But before that we became real Paso Robles wine country tourist with a few stops to experience what all the fuss is about in these vineyards.
First stop was Daou Vineyards. Located in what I would call the Adelaide area of Paso Robles. This recently new winery has really made it’s mark in the world of vintages. Once I stepped out of the car and felt the heat and smell of deer weed, my thoughts went straight to my days with my grandma at her lake cabin. Just a few miles as the crow flies from where we parked was a huge part of my childhood, Nacimiento Lake. The 100 plus degrees outside seemed to linger in the back of your mind as you sat under shade drinking in the views and tasting the wine. Known for their reds (and they were delicious and my non expert notes would say extremely balanced) I leaned into the Rose and Sauvignon Blanc as my favorites. So much so that I purchased a bottle of each to bring back to the Blue Grass state.
Next up was a visit to one of the matriarchs of Paso Robles wine industry Gary Eberle’s humble estate of Eberle Winery. One of the last free tasting rooms in the region, we had some inside love as my cousin Stacy is the National Sales Manager. She arranged a special tasting (including snacks and a brief cave tour). Not only did we enjoy the special guests of the two resident poodles, but Kayla joined us for the unique tasting experience. We finished the day with dinner at McPhees Grill in downtown Templeton.
PSA for wine travel or any travel. I always have a wine skin that stays in my suitcase as you never know where your travels might take you and a special bottle that might need to accompany you home. From olive oil to spirits, these little protectors are a wonder. Realizing we had an extra bag that we could check on the return home, I may or may not have brought home a whole case of Paso Robles wine?
PSA for packing. I invested in packing blocks for each of us for this adventure. With so many climates and activities, I knew we needed a variety of options. These little organizers are a packing gem. Everything stayed in its place and items were easily located. Throwing in a bag for dirty clothes helped in the organization game and made it easy to do a few loads of laundry at moms. I loved them so much, I jumped on Amazon and ordered both my mom and Trish a set. Game changer!
Thursday, June 6, 2024 – Day 6
| Location | Templeton |
| Weather | Sunny and triple digits |
| Activity | Lunch with Dad, Wine Tasting Austin Hope, 80th Birthday for Papa Cummings |
| Steps | 6,627 Steps (it was too damn hot) |
| Special People | Dad, Lilly, Kayla, Mom, Bob, Jody, Julia, Teresa, Kathy, Barbie, Vivian, Shawna, Lily, Tony, Kaci, Kim & Chris |
Waking up where I have spent most of my life (literally I have lived within a mile of this location over half my life) the smell of the dry summer heat, sound of the sheep, and even the sound of my mother yelling at the dogs just added a level of comfort that only a true home can offer. Today we did three main activities but man it covered some time, filled our bellies and was a revolving door of family and friends.
First off Lilly arrived and took us to meet my dad for lunch. Not the most social person on a day in day out plan, he was the number one thing on my list to spend some time with and get him busy. Fun fact, when I text him and my step mother of his plans the week we were going to be in town (he only reads texts doesn’t respond.. lets say we are lucky he still doesn’t have a flip phone) my step mother’s responded to say he takes the garbage to the road on Mondays. So that was my que that his calendar was wide open. My plan was lunch and wine tasting.
Our lunch plans shifted as the place I wanted to visit wasn’t serving for another 30 minutes. I did manage to get my wedding gift purchased and we ventured to the Paso Robles Golf Club for our meal. For me that was like stepping into a time machine and encountering pieces of your past. After lunch we went to Austin Hope’s main tasting room for an afternoon experience. Disclaimer, I seldom visit wineries when I venture home, but each of these had a special reason behind the journey. My step sister Jody just started working for Austin in his new downtown Paso Robles location and my thought was to visit her during one of her shifts. But she wasn’t scheduled that day, so instead she made us a reservation at the winery and joined the party. It was another high heat experience, that we half way through the tasting shifted to a bottle of bubbles and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon for Dad.
The evening was all about celebrating Papa Bob Cumming’s 80th birthday. A typical Grandma Jo meal, she worried that we would run out of food, and of course we did not. Surrounded by family and friends the bubbles flowed right along with the stories shared. We got to finally meet Lily Hollstien’s fiancé Tony and catch our first glance of the bride to be Kaci as she came by for a famous Moon Beams spray tan.
Plans were made for morning walks, pancakes on Saturday morning, and yet another wine tasting for Friday. Papa felt the love, having a handful of his grand daughters singing birthday songs and some incredible tasty sweet treats for dessert. The lack of not one photo from the evening is a true reflection of how present and genuine we lived in the moment.
Friday, June 7, 2024 – Day 7
| Location | Templeton |
| Weather | Sunny cooling off into the 90s |
| Activity | Morning walk, Breakfast with Tisha, Booker, Unexpected French tasting and Dinner at Loading Chute |
| Steps | 15,604 Steps |
| Special People | Tisha & Grandma Trish (and the all the previous mentioned) |
Friday morning started off with a bang, or should I say a house full of family. As they all began to disperse to their chosen form of exercise, I quickly discovered my plan of going for a walk with Lilly and Julia was not theirs as they drove out of the drive way. Eager to get some steps on my fit bit while the morning air was still crisp, I went out on one of my favorite strolls down Jack Creek Road. Passing only one vehicle, the quiet country road brought back memories that only a still sense of the past reflecting little change in the present can offer. I even came across a patch of sweat peas that made me give a quick nod to my grandmother. She would share with us kids stories of how her neighbor Miles would drive from his place (on the road I was walking) to the coast and throw sweat pea seeds out the truck window. I can’t recall a time I have not been on the look out for these magical flowers that have survived decades to continue to bloom each year. On my way back Tisha called and suggested her and I steal away for a breakfast for two. A mimosa and a few shared snacks was just what the doctor ordered to kick off the day.
But the magic of the day was just beginning to bloom. Kayla had requested that we visit Booker Vineyards. Thanks to Teresa she arranged for us to have a tasting at this very trendy location. Which for me is such a twist of fate. You see Booker is named after the original land owners, Claude and Dick Booker. Two bachelor brothers that were the true definition of turn of the century grain farmers. Ironically their land has become some of the most prized vineyards in the area. My brother Johnny and I were lucky enough to actually know these fine men and my brother even has one of their tractors. They represent just another classic Templeton history story that now finds itself as the opening lines to a prestigious establishment. https://www.bookerwines.com/About If you go to this link you can read and see their original farm house. Let me tell you it was anything but glamorous and not a place any well respected influencer would visit today. And similar to our earlier visits we opted half way through the reds for a glass of the Rose. And a bottle may or may not be nestled in my wine frig in Kentucky.
On our way back to home base, Teresa surprised us with a quick visit to Villa Creek Winery, where we were introduced to the most gracious human, Anne Charlotte Melia-Bachas from the Chateauneuf-Du-Pape region of France. Unfortunately we only had a quick minute to try this vintage. A wonderful detour that I so wished we had the time to make into a destination. But more fun awaited us on the other side of town.
Our dinner plans began at the Coon Estate complete with cocktail hour hosted by Bob Coon himself mixing up his favorite margarita. This was Tod’s first visit to the east side of town and we thought it would be grand to keep the local flavor alive. Dinner was at the Loading Chute in Creston, California. Wonderful food, great steaks and a bounty of local wines, this establishment is off the beaten path but well worth the drive. Bellies full and a big day ahead of us on Saturday, Kayla, Tod and I made our way back to Vineyard Drive for another good nights rest.
Saturday, June 8, 2024 – Kaci & Michael ‘s Wedding Day
| Location | Templeton & San Miguel |
| Weather | The Fog Lifted to Lovely June Day |
| Activity | Gma Jo Pancakes (if you know you know), San Miguel Mission, Elkhorn Bar, & The Big Wedding |
| Steps | 11,360 Steps |
| Special People | All of the Above plus Payton, Colby, Trevor, Peggy & the Mott/ Fletcher Clan |
This might just be titled the “Best Morning Ever” as we got have Grandma Jo pancakes. You might ask, what is all the fuss about? Well when my mother agrees to mix up her magic batter it is a breakfast you just don’t want to miss. Her secret ingredient (no its not mother’s love) she beats the egg whites until they look fit for a prize winning angel food cake and uses buttermilk. So good and when the town crier (me) announces that the griddle is hot, well they come running from miles around.
But today didn’t give us much time to sit around drinking mimosas and enjoying delicate fluffy pancakes we had a wedding to attend. Kaci Mott (soon to be Kaci Marcotte) came into our world as an eager sheep showing, 4-Her and joined what is now known as Bob’s Beautiful Barn, completing the four of a kind to Papa Cummings three grand daughters, Kayla, Lilly and Julia. For me Kaci has been Lilly’s sidekick, Tisha and my fair employee and student at Cal Poly. Her husband to be, Michael was also a former student and shared with me the night of the reception that is was my AGB 406 class when he got to work with Vicki Carroll and Hospice du Rhone, that he made the commitment to have a career in the Central Coast Wine Industry. Our family and Kaci’s have many interwoven connections and it was no surprise to all when Lilly was asked to serve in the special role of Maid of Honor. Needless to say this wedding was part of our family and an event that we just couldn’t miss.
The nuptials were held at the historic San Miguel Mission. Founded in 1797, the historic landmark still holds weekly masses and reflects all the unique, nostalgic heritage one would expect. The ceremony had an air of magic watching the new, shiny wedding ways laid over the canvas of a 200 year old venue.
After the ceremony we had some time to make our way to the winery venue reception. Being the veteran event people, mom ordered up some turkey sandwiches to take into the Elk Horn for what we referred to as wedding intermission. An act that I could easily make into a PSA, having that light snack and a cool drink on a hot June Day was the perfect way to kill some time before the reception began.
The reception was everything one would expect, straight out of a Hallmark Romance, vineyard setting. Flowers perfect, specialty cocktails of course, the perfect wines from both the bride and grooms careers, and a casual yet elegant atmosphere surrounded by all that love and celebration their people could express. There were many special moments, but maybe this is a mom talking, but I thought Lilly’s Maid of Honor toast was the perfect sprinkle of fun, laughter, love and happily ever after. Knowing Kaci’s family I have all the faith in the world in these two newlyweds and the future they will build together. Needless to say it was the signature activity to end our California adventure.
Sunday, June 9, 2024 – Day 9
| Location | Templeton – Louisville |
| Weather | Sunny 90 |
| Activity | Traveling Home |
| Steps | 7,347 Steps |
| Special People | All of the Above + Payton, Colby, Trevor, Peggy and the Mott/ Fletcher Clan |
Today we journeyed our way back to eastern standard time. My take aways from the past eight days are filled with blurry moments, untaken photos, and short reel of my past 56 years of life. Spending so much time looking out at vineyards, it gave my mind’s eye a pause to reflect back to when these fields were full of dry land grain farming and cattle. Even further back to when almonds and walnuts were the tapestry of the area. At the end of the day, it is still all agriculture driven and that settles well in my heart. I recently read a quote that said, “Home isn’t a place it is a feeling”. I couldn’t agree more. Recapping our adventure I am glad I took the time to note each day. As I wrote in the last blog, my art needs to be for me first and isn’t that what being home is all about?
Final Overview –
One Wedding
Two Birthday Parties
Three Resting Locations
Four Parents Hugged
Five Winery Visits (or one might say Four and half)
Twelve Bottles of Wine
Hundreds of Miles Traveled
Countless Family and Friends
And just like Master Card….Memories Made….. Priceless
a little bit about a lot of things 