Thursday, September 18, 2008

My Vacation in California


Finally .... some time for vacation!! Starting in 2007, I now have six (6) weeks of vacation time from my employer! However, this past trip to Northern California (Sonoma County) marks the first time I managed to use any of my 2008 allotment of vacation time!! Still it was a fun time marred only by Hurricane Ike. I toyed with the thought of returning home to 'protect' my apartment but decided against that and just stayed in California throughout Houston's ordeal. Thankfully, I returned home yesterday (Sept. 17) to an apartment where not a single window had been broken and the power and water had already been restored (as of last Monday, Sept. 15).

Thanks to the generosity of a relative, I had the high privilege to spend the eight days in a nice private home in Sebastopol (Sonoma County) - a small town located about a one hour's drive (50 miles) north of San Francisco.
I had an opportunity to visit: a winery (Benziger's winery in Glen Ellen), Jack London's museum and burial site, Sonoma Lake, Bodega Bay, and Armstrong Redwood State park. I also had a great time searching for one of nature's finest apples - the Gravenstein apple!! The weather was fantastic (daily temps in the 70's) and the food was superb. The only problem was all the worrying I did during the Hurricane. Otherwise I had a thoroughly splendid time.

27 comments:

World Wide Relation said...

I love California.. sounds like u have great vacation there ^^

Kristen said...

I'd love to be there!

MikeGoogler said...

Hello,I am a Chinese.I hope to make friends with you.

mikegoogler.blogspot.com

Belle Morte said...

Traveling Chemist? I'd totally love to do that; travel and chemistry rolled into one gleeful package? Amazing. <3
Chemistry is what I plan on majoring in, so maybe I can be my own traveling chemist someday...

~Colette

Searching Soul said...

Believe it or not, your blog is the first one I've read here since I published mine. No, I'm not that outdated...just busy with my life. It's refreshing to read your journals and I also got some ideas on how I can improve mine.

Brit-Chick Writing Brit-Flick said...

Sounds great and I love the sunflower - brightened up my morning

SMYK said...

Whynot everyone will love cali.

Lars Shalom said...

another hurricane?? so glad you had a good time

Unknown said...

Hi! Lovely site ... and congratulations on being the "blog of note". I like your take on things and will be back often to see where your travels take you.

Small Footprints
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

~ Laura ~ said...

What a great way to ride out a hurricane! Not that you could have done much to "protect" your apartment anyway.

I'm glad that fate smiled on you.

6044121 -- Jeni sw said...

I am college student from Indonesia, reading your blog and imagine how interested your life was...

Have you ever go to some country in middle east?

I wait your response on my blog =)

Thanks,
nice to know your blog

Mandy said...

Hi, congrats on getting Blogs of Note! I've always wanted to go to California...The Jack London museum must have been awesome!!
Come visit my blog if you have time:

http://adventuresofamillenniummom.blogspot.com/

Armandozzz said...

you have a live very interest.. like my life.. i am dj in a disco.. we live only one life.. live it..
best regards from spain

Theresa said...

I like your blog.


http://apaintersdiary.blogspot.com/

Valerie Moss said...

Hi there! Congratulations on being chosen as a "blog of note". I too am a chemist and I work in an ink factory in the otherwise beautiful town of Midsomer Norton, Somerset, England.
California sounds great! Maybe one day this travelling chemist will go there...

Novalis said...

I got a B.S. in chemistry back in the day but ended up becoming a psychiatrist. "Better living through chemistry" indeed (when it works).

Jordan said...

Chemist?
Youll be interested.
:]
http://chemistrycalc.blogspot.com/

Dawn Wilson said...

I'm glad you had a great vacation in Cali. That stinks you had to deal with worry over Hurricane Ike, though.

Anonymous said...

It looks so exciting in California..
I think I want to be a chemist to.
A travelin one perhaps!!!... Lol...

Its ME said...

Chemist chemist what we eat?

Are those chemicals safe for us?

Healthy Wealth is all we need?

And some blogger friends for us?

hope to meet again at

http://theinnozablog.blgospot.com

yellow said...

Nice blog and thanks for blogger makin this in blogs of note

ma blog :
chullickal.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

nice blog.................i like it

my blog is http://chullickal.blogspot.com

blindmansleeps said...

That sounds pretty great. I'd love to go to California.

dchem said...

WOW! I happen to see your blog on the blogs of note (I am a chemist), just being bored at night. WELL, I saw the first pic and thought... that is CA... then I read on and you went to my hometown area!!! I was married in Glen Ellen, grew up near Sepastopol, and miss it like crazy! Thanks for sharing your vacation, and bringing a huge smile to this homesick gal. I live in AL now, and miss everything about that area. You made my evening.

weecheeky said...

Loved the sunflower! :o)

Unknown said...

Wish I was in California....

SUBHADIP said...

Hey..I just read your Vacation in California and its great!..You are a fantastic narrator of beauty..

If you can visit my blog and see my piesces and share your comments..would love that..
Subhadip