Nice surprise

Last weekend, we were going to the Santa Ynez Valley for Patricia's 52nd high school homecoming reunion.  As is our habit now, we booked into a great AirBnB in Los Olivos, and off we went. Our plan was simply to watch the Pirates' Homecoming game and crowning of the Homecoming Queen on Friday nite, go to the reunion lunch on Saturday and drive back on Sunday.

Los Olivos is the small town in the Santa Ynez Valley where Patricia grew up. I got all the stories from times gone by, just like when I took Patricia to Australia for the first time. You might remember that Los Olivos became prominent a few years ago when it was featured in the movie Sideways.

When we got to Los Olivos, we checked into our AirBnB and were made to feel very welcome, Sharon was like a sister and opened her house and made us feel right at home. It was then to our delight that we discovered that Saturday was 'The Day in the County' or for short, 'Los Olivos Day.'

First we went Friday evening to the Homecoming game. As I found out, it is a time when Alumni come home to their old high school to meet with their, by now, also old friends.

It was very fun for me as I have never been to a high school football game, and all the ceremonial goings on around it. Unfortunately our team lost bigtime, 14 to 59, but it was fun to watch and tell them what they should be doing from the stands.

Saturday morning I got up very early (5am) and went for a long 2 hour walk in the country - temps in the 40s, no lights and a beautiful star studded sky.

On my way back into town, all the vendors for Los Olivos Day were busy putting up their tents to display the wares.

Still setting up

Close to 10, we walked our two blocks to see the parade. It was like nothing I have ever seen before, and I was very tempted to join them, just to be seen and wave.

There was humor: "Small Farmer"

and a Big Tractor

Lots of antique cars

The only town I know with a
 flagpole in the middle of the
main street.

There were many other attractions passing by, like The Family School, a Guide Dogs training school, wineries, 4-H kids, a dance school, a dancing horse, etc.
After the parade was over, it was time for looking and shopping for some gifts.

The day was very full. We sat and listened to a young jazz bands and tasted some great wines.

After this, we went to the reunion with about 25 people (out of a, graduating class of 100) and there was lots of food and great conversations.

Before leaving the valley as always, we went up the mountain to the place were Patricia and I got married and took a selfy.

As always, Patricia is moving the mountain to San Diego

Then it was time to head back to Oceanside.

In Stuttgart again

Guess what? Yes, you're right; there is another fest, this time a Zwiebelfest (as in onions) in Esslingen im Neckar, and Bernd and Eva were good enough to take us.

This is our last day in Germany, that is if we get on our scheduled plane tomorrow morning.

But first, we had to do some serious eating and drinking.

500 year old building in Esslingen

Clock in the town square

German's love meeting together to eat and drink under the umbrellas.

This old beauty is a soap factory.

The Dome in Esslingen

Esslinger Zwiebelfest entrance

These women work hard for their wages.

THIS is Zwiebel Kuchen. A bit like quiche, layers of sweet onions in cream.
This is what it's all about.

Our gracious hosts in Stuttgart, Bernd and Eva

We will miss all our friends and family who have been so kind and who have made this trip so very enjoyable.

Back in sunny California

Having had a great ride through Nevada, entering California is the best. It always feels so liberating to see the first sign that we are in the Sierras with the beautiful peeks. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and it reminds me of the time when I flew to Bishop one day with Michal and Sam just for breakfast. After we stopped at our favorite bakery and got a few loaves of bread, we continued and booked into a motel at Lone Pine at the base of Mount Whitney.
We went to our favorite Cafe Shop and then got a bottle of Australian wine to celebrate our homecoming.

Breath taking landscape

This is why I don't want to live anywhere near snow.

And it looks stunning. What do you do?

There's always this;when its cold outside, one needs to warm oneself.

Back @ GENI for the last week

Back at work @ GENI after a nice weekend packing more STUFF and bottling our one and only wine this year, Plum-wine.