Kelseyville, CA - December 1 - 6
After visiting friends in Sacramento, and spending a wonderful evening with Bill's sister Ginger and family, we set off for Kelseyville in Lake County with a new computer on-board. Bill and Ginger had purchased a computer to give to their mother, Peaches, and Bill planned to spend five days teaching her the basics.
Bill proceeded to torture his mother for five days teaching her the workings of her new computer. She had no desire to learn how to use the "booger" (as she calls it), but she was attentive. The training sessions were long, but ultimately productive. She now uses the "booger" to send email and visit this website from time to time. We are very proud of her for making the effort.
Because Bill was devoted to torturing Peaches, I had the days free to do as I pleased. Lake County is one of the more remote areas of California. Although it is relative close to the very happening Bay Area, and just across the mountains from Napa Valley, it seems lost in the 50s. I may have gotten this impression because much of Lake County's economy is based on tourism, and this was not the tourist season. But I found things to do.
One day I joined Bill and Peaches for an early lunch, and then headed out for Guenoc Winery just outside of Middletown. I had wanted to visit this winery for many years, but it is so off the beaten path that I just hadn't managed to get there. I discovered the path has become quite beaten. It seems Middletown and Hidden Valley have been discovered.
Guenoc Winery is one of the oldest in California. Lilly Langtry established the winery in the 1880's when she purchased the estate, planted vines and hired a French vintner. Her home has been restored by the current owners and is open to the public during the tourist season - which, unfortunately, did not include early December.
No matter, I had a great time. I was the only patron in the tasting room so received a private tasting. In fact, I was treated to a taste test - which I failed miserably. Once again I proved to be a cheap date selecting the $25 a bottle Cabernet over the $89 bottle. Guess this trailer-trash life style is having an impact.
The day before we left, I took a long walk from the Edgewater RV Resort to Clear Lake State Park. Although the Park was holding an open house including free entry, hot cider and coffee, cookies and absolutely fabulous brownies, there were very few people there. It was incredibly peaceful.
The park is located on a hilly peninsula that juts out into the lake. I saw numerous ducks, egrets, herons, geese, coots and many other birds I couldn't identify.
I walked up to an area that was closed for the season and watched dozens of deer grazing on the new green grass of the otherwise deserted campground. As I was leaving, I came upon a family of deer including a stately, antlered buck, several does and fawns with fading spots. The buck watched me very closely as his family cautiously moved away into the brush. He didn't waver until they were all safely away.
Although Lake County has more to offer during the summer and fall, we had a lovely week visiting with Peaches, and enjoying the lake and surrounding countryside without the high season hubbub.
