Vacations Blog

Traveling is expensive.  This is not news.

Traveling with kids can be an exercise in restraint.  It happens.

Kids need a moment to run, stretch and yell.  And possibly air out. You know, kid stuff.  What kids don’t need, however, is something that costs a lot of money.  Sure, they’d be pleased as punch to stop at an arcade or amusement park, and maybe you will, but don’t underestimate the appeal of a rest area hill and a piece of cardboard.

Granted, you may not have a piece of cardboard in the family truckster, but you do have imagination and a road open with possibilities.

After all, it’s the trip, not the destination.

For more family-friendly travel photos visit DeliciousBaby’s Photo Fridays.

Photo by W. Honea

I spent the better part of last Tuesday’s lunch hour checking out the Concord Farmers’ Market in Todos Santos Plaza.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past several years, you’ve probably noticed these outdoor grocery stores popping up all over the place.  In addition to Concord you can hit Farmers’ Markets in Clayton, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill and dozens of other Bay Area cities.

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Boston Pops and Fourth of JUly

If you find yourself in Boston for the Fourth of July weekend, it is incumbent upon you to take in the spectacular yearly celebration at The Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade. Founded in 1974 by Boston-area businessman and philanthropist, David Mugar, the event was designed to breathe new life into the dying Esplanade concert series. Mugar approached famed Boston Pops conductor, Arthur Fiedler, and suggested that the Pops perform Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” with “a few added extras.” Howitzer cannons, church bells and fireworks were added to the concert “so that, in Arthur Fiedler’s own words, “All hell could break loose.”"

Now in its 36th year, the performance and fireworks welcome over 500,000 visitors from around the world and another seven million+ who view an hour-long special on CBS. This year, Grammy-award winning singer, Neil Diamond will perform some of his hits with the Boston Pops and, for the third year in a row, the live broadcast will be hosted by late night television host, Craig Ferguson.

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[photo courtesy of the Skirball Center]

Yes, yes…I know.

Picking up hitchhikers is not always the safest of ideas.

But she doesn’t look like that mustached-stranger [usually named 'Kenny'] our Mom’s always warned us about, right?

And what better way to learn about the real Hawaii.

I drove.

She answered.

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(photo courtesy of Clayton.com- All other photos by Joe Romano)

I recently introduced you to Clayton, CA, a small town in the shadow of Mt. Diablo. 

After many years of political wrangling, Clayton finally managed to move forward with its plans for The Grove Park, which is now a focal point for many of Clayton’s downtown activities. 

Situated between Main St., Center St. and old Marsh Creek Rd, the park is home to what was once a huge orchard of Eucalyptus trees, referred to by locals simply as “the grove.” As a kid I spent many a 4^th of July in the grove. Residents would gather there after the traditional 4^thof July parade to enjoy barbequed corn-on-the-cob, hot dogs and watermelon. There were greased pole climbing contests and other great activities. Nowadays the grove is home to a local farmers market and some fabulous evening concerts. Saturday night Lisa and I took in local act, Mamaluke. 

Billed as one of “the Bay Area’s premier classic rock dance bands,” Mamaluke was also one of two finalists in KFOX radio’s “Last Band Standing” competition. Adding to their local roots, two members, lead singer Kenny Byers and guitarist Chris Rossi, graduated from Clayton Valley High School. And, to drill-down even further on the local slant, I was in Mr. Almond’s 5^thgrade class with Chris Rossi, and worked at Skipolini’s Pizza with Kenny Byars. Did any of this earn me a guest vocal during last night’s show?  Performance fail! 

Nevertheless, take one warm summer night, mix in a pitcher of sangrias and one of Skipolini’s famous pies, and top off with some great rock and roll; result - a guaranteed great time. All of Clayton’s local eateries literally surround The Grove, and all of them offer food to go. Or you can even save a few bucks and bring your own picnic.

There’s also the Clayton Store on the south end of the park for those last minute snack and beverage purchases. I’d suggest arriving a little early to stake out a nice spot on the lawn. Throw out a blank, have a beverage and a snack, read and enjoy the sunshine before show time. 

The Grove Park also has a playground and plenty of room to run, so Concerts in the Grove is definitely a kid-friendly event.

To check out upcoming concerts, click here –>  Concerts in the Grove – 2009  <— there.

The Grove Park
Main St. and Marsh Creek Rd.
Clayton, CA, 94517

Easy riding on the Hiawatha Bike Trail

First thing they do each morning is clear out the bears.

Because you really don’t want to meet a bear while you’re biking through one of the dark mountain tunnels of the Hiawatha Bike Trail in North Idaho.

The Hiawatha is the ultimate family bike trail in the United States.  According to me, anyway.  The trail winds along 17 miles of abandoned railbed, through nine tunnels, across seven high trestles, and among some of the most stunning mountain scenery you can imagine.

One of many tunnels on the Hiawatha Bike Trail

You start your adventure about two miles off Interstate 90, right across the Idaho-Montana border.  After parking your car and paying a trail use fee, you’re immediately faced with a black hole in the side of the mountain.  It’s the 1.7-mile Taft Tunnel, the longest and darkest of the many tunnels you’ll experience on the trail.

This is where you’d better have some good flashlights strapped to your bike.  We rode through the Taft Tunnel with one good light and several weak ones.  My son took the strong light and the lead, and we followed a tiny flashing red light clipped to his backpack.  It didn’t take long for me to start hallucinating as I followed that bouncing little light into the pitch black.  In the cool, quiet center of the mountain, you start to feel like you’re cycling off into space.  And you miss the spot, about halfway through, when you cross from Montana into Idaho.

Eventually, as the tunnel curves, you see a little white dot of sunlight on the other side, and you exit the tunnel to find a lovely little waterfall and creek.  Here’s where the scenery begins as you start your descent of 1000 feet over the course of 15 more miles on a compact dirt and gravel trail.  With a 2% grade, it’s an easy ride for everyone, regardless of experience and skill.  My son easily did it at the age of 7.

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(photo – Wm Crovo)

The first weekend in May was the 2009 Annual Clayton Art & Wine festival; the 14^thyear for this local crowd-pleaser.

As is typical with these events, the weather is great in the days preceding, but on the scheduled weekend, in roll the rain clouds.

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s Art and Rain. I don’t like my art soggy. Wine and rain I can handle, however this time around I opted for the Beer and Art. Which brings up a question; why is it that we never see “Beer and Art” festivals?  Beer drinkers can appreciate art as much as those sommelier types. Well I could I suppose, if I knew what actually constitutes “art.”

Every festival involving “art” puts me into a state of confusion. I’ve discovered that, try as I might, I just don’t understand art. Be it a nude woman fashioned from wrought iron, or a life-size likeness of Paris Hilton made of rabbit droppings, what is it that that constitutes something as “art”? Why is it that some things are considered “works of art” while others are works of crap? 

I’ll tell you the difference; if someone is willing to pay for it, it can be called art. If no one is willing to pay for it, it’s crap.

But of course that’s why booze is always served at these festivals. Promoters know that after John and Jane Public down a couple of pints, or a carafe of some local hooch, that wine rack made of papier-mâchéd toilet paper rolls is suddenly going to look a whole lot more appealing.

My but I’ve digressed.

So the rain had pretty much subsided by Sunday, so the boy and I took a couple of hours late in the afternoon to check things out. Ten dollars granted me a commemorative pint glass and one (1) beer ticket. Wow. Fortunately, being a local, I “know” people, and more importantly they know me. And by “know” I mean that they gave me free beer.

I’m not much of a shopper but I love walking around these types of festivals. They’re a great place to people watch, take the dog for a walk, and frankly just get a little fresh air and exercise. Free beer doesn’t hurt either. There are plenty of food vendors offering everything from chicken teriyaki to bratwurst and burgers. The boy opted for the fried calamari. He’s got class. If you’ve got young ones there’s a very over-priced kiddie area, with a rock-climbing wall, a few bounce structures and some games. You’re better off taking them over to The Grove Park and letting them play for free.

Incorporated in 1964, Clayton is “nestled at the bucolic base of picturesque Mt. Diablo.” A community of just over 10,000 residents, Clayton has retained its small town charm while managing to become something of a destination city. Its old-West downtown boasts many great little eateries, including Skipolini’s Pizza, a local favorite since 1974 and the workplace of a certain blogger circa 1982. There’s also Ed’s Mudville Grill, a sports bar serving great pub grub, Ed’s more upscale steak joint Moresi’s Chophouse and a nice little Italian restaurant, La Viranda Café.  You’ll also find the Cup O’ Jo coffee house, and of course the famous/ infamous, Clayton Club.

(Photo – Pete Laurence)

The only thing missing from Clayton is a nice Bed & Breakfast. Seems it would go nicely with the small town’s “bucolic” atmosphere. But then I’ve never been much of a fan of the B&B, preferring to enjoy my B&B in private. At most B&B’s there’s always some chatterbox who wants to tell you their life story over coffee and a scone.

Sorry, I’ve digressed again. But a B&B really would be a nice touch and something Clayton should seriously consider.  If you do happen to attend this event and need a place to crash, there’s always the Holiday Inn Express just up the road. Or you can have my couch. I’ll  even make you breakfast and tell you my life story.                           (photo – Clayton Historical Society)

In any event, at next year’s Art & Wine festival  I’m planning  to display my “Rocks Reclining with Pigment and Adhesive” sculptures. And, as much as they may appear to just be rocks glued together and spray painted, once some drunken art lover hands me some scrilla, they will magically transform into “works of art;” may you be that art lover.