Category Archives: Travel

Central Coast Wineries: Laetitia Vineyard & Winery Delivers Quality Pinots And “Sparkling” Views

Boomers visited Laetitia on August 25, 2019:

Laetitia Winery Tasting Room August 2019Laetitia Vineyard and Winery in Aroyo Grande, Ca is known for its respected Pinot Noir and “seven unique sparkling wines”. Santa Rosa-based Vintage Wine Estates recently (February 2019) bought Laetitia for an undisclosed sum. Here is the wineries mission statement as posted on the website:

A deep and abiding respect for Laetitia’s estate-grown fruit is the mark of Eric Hickey’s winemaking. Beginning his hands-on training in the cellar at the age of 16, Eric has lived and breathed Laetitia all the way to the top, where he is now the Head Winemaker and the winery’s President. “I keep it simple,” he says, “and I stay eye-to-eye with Lino (Bozzano) because the interplay between us is what determines the wines’ quality. Everything done in the cellar starts with what we do out in the vineyard.”

We tasted the 2014 Brut Coquard Sparkling wine (rated 93 points). We appreciated its balance between sweet fruit and dry hazelnut. The view from our picnic table north of the tasting room was spectacular.

2014 Laetitia Brut Coquard

Laetitia Vineyard TrailThe property offers a Bocce Ball area to have fun with as you sample their extensive wine flights. Additionally, there is a hiking trail through the 1986-acre estate. Here is a description of the estate from their website:

The Laetitia Estate Vineyards were first planted to grapes in 1982 when French viticulturists found ideal growing conditions in the Arroyo Grande Valley for producing wines of similar character to those of San Luis Obispo Wine Trailtheir homeland in Epernay, France. Nineteen years later, the property would be acquired by Selim Zilkha, founder of a successful wind power development company and champion of environmental sustainability. Between his qualifications in renewable energy solutions and his passion for the pleasures of the harvest, Selim has developed Laetitia into the home of some of California’s highest quality, sustainably-produced wines.

As you exit Laetitia, a “San Luis Obistpo Wine Trail” sign explains just how dynamic this wine regain is.

Edna_Valley_at_Sunset Wikipedia Commons

Boomers

 

 

http://www.nadiawines.com/resources/wine-club/wineClub1463612468573cf43430aa61.09541936.pdf

Future Of Camping: Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicles Feature A Unique “Pull-Out Kitchen”

From an InsideEVS.com article:

Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicles Functional Pull Out Kitchen close upRivian has demonstrated a fully functional, pull-out kitchen that fits into the tunnel and will be a fantastic asset to people who enjoy camping. At first, we thought this might just be a gimmick, but the automaker has clarified that the optional add-on will be available for purchase. To top it off, a tent fits right in the electric truck’s bed.

Rivian refers to its upcoming vehicle lineup as “Electric Adventure Vehicles.” Its first two offerings will be the R1T electric pickup truck and the R1S electric three-row SUV. Since the company has fully revealed itself, there has been a regular influx of information supporting the “adventure’ theme.

Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicles Functional Pull Out Kitchen

 

To read more click on the following link: https://insideevs.com/news/366546/video-rivian-truck-cooking-wild/

Top Travel Destinations: Ancient History Of Girona, Spain Attracted Tourists For Centuries

From a Los Angeles Times article:

Parts of the Roman wall that remain from the first. The medieval wall that was built on top of it and on which you can circle much of the Old Town. The 11th century cathedral, which has the widest Gothic nave in the world. The near-pristine 12th century Jewish quarter, from which a thriving community was driven in 1492. The Arab baths, a symbol of the town’s early Muslim inhabitants. The marks left on buildings by cannons from Napoleon’s army. The bridge built by Gustave Eiffel in 1876.

The western bank is edged with houses, red and russet, yellow and gold. Beyond lies the Old Town, with its plazas and arches, towers and churches, cobblestoned streets, shadowy stairways and wild green gardens trying to prove real every romantic vision you ever had about historic Spain or Europe for that matter.

To read more click on following

https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2019-08-23/spain-game-thrones-barcelona-day-trips-girona-monserrat

Top RV Campgrounds: Silver Falls State Park In Oregon Is “A Standout Scenic Treasure”

From the Oregon State Parks website:

Silver Falls State Park RV CampingPeople call it the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, and once you visit, you know why. Silver Falls State Park is the kind of standout scenic treasure that puts Oregon firmly onto the national—and international—stage. Its beauty, boundless recreational opportunities and historic presence keep it there.

Waterfalls:  Where else can you walk behind a waterfall? Check out the famous South Falls and see what a 177-foot curtain of water looks like from behind. It’s part of the Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a dense forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon, and descends to a winding creek at the forest floor. This 7.2 mile loop is considered to be a moderate hike, with an overall elevation change of 800 feet.  Several connecting trails with separate access points make shorter routes. For everyone’s safety— absolutely no pets allowed on the Canyon Trail.  Pets on leash are allowed on all other trails.

Silver Falls State Park RV Camping map

Boots, bikes, paws, hooves: The park offers more than 35 miles of backcountry trails for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding (see guided ride info below).  Bears and cougars live in the more remote park areas.

To read more click on the following link: https://oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/silver-falls-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=OR&parkId=402235

Stories From The Road (Trip): “Big Bend Country”… “The Wild West Of Texas”

From a National Review Magazine online article by Heather Wilhelm:

Big Bend CountryTry to get to Big Bend National Park, a stunning mix of ecosystems perched on the Rio Grande. Sure, you can fly into El Paso — and then you’ve still got about 300 miles left to go. No matter which way you approach the heart of West Texas, it’s a long haul. (Well, unless you have a private jet. But then you’d be missing half the fun.) 

As the writer S. C. Gwynne has pointed out, the American frontier didn’t end in California, but in the wild west of Texas. On the way out to Big Bend country, through hardscrabble landscapes, breathtaking canyons, and vast swathes of open sky, you can see why.

If you take my preferred route — it’s longer than necessary, on purpose — you’ll stumble across the former home of Judge Roy Bean, the hard-living, saloon-dwelling, 19th-century “law west of the Pecos,” who kept a black bear as a pet. You’ll pass through Marathon, a one-horse town with an impossibly lovely hotel — the Gage, built in 1927, famous for its White Buffalo Bar.

To read more click on the following link: https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2019/09/09/the-great-american-road-trip/

Top Camping Vehicles: Overland Discovery Rents Fully Loaded 2020 Jeep Gladiator Camper

From a 303Magazine.com online article:

OVERLAND DISCOVERY 2020 JEEP GLADIATOR Camping gear listOverland Discovery currently owns six Jeeps and two campervans that are located here in Denver but are in the process of equipping more to offer the experience to those traveling to the Las Vegas area, a prime outdoor destination with 16 national parks within driving distance. The lineup currently includes two and four-door Wranglers and Rubicons, two RAM ProMaster campervans and a new 2020 Jeep Gladiator – a Rubicon truck with exemplary power, towing capability and a king-size rooftop tent for maximum comfort. OVERLAND DISCOVERY Logo

Each vehicle is automatic with 4×4 capability and comes with a rooftop tent with a memory foam mattress, blankets, pillows, camping chairs, propane stove, YETI cooler, cookware, and two gallons of water. All you need to bring along is your food, an extra cooler for drinks and a sense of adventure. “Seeing people experience adventure and the look in their eyes when they get back is just as satisfying as experiencing it for myself,” said Ramirez.

https://www.overlanddiscovery.com/

To read more click on the following link: https://303magazine.com/2019/08/jeep-rental-camping-gear-overland-discovery/

Top New Travel Videos: “Chile – Los Lagos To Atacama” By Martin Heck

Filmed, Edited and Directed by: Martin Heck

Explore the incredible diversity of Chile in Winter. From the northern end of Patagonia and Los Lagos region with its picture-perfect volcanoes, to the wild pacific coast, magical araucaria forests, towering peaks of the Andes all the way up to the Atacama Desert.
Shot in June and July 2019 traveling over 5000km from south to north.

Chile Timelapse film by Martin Heck  2019.JPG
Website: timestormfilms.com/
Music: “Skydance” by Kim Planert – kimplanert.com/
Special thanks to:
Angelbird Media – angelbird.com/
Wicked South America: – wickedsouthamerica.com/

Chile Timelapse film by Martin Heck 2019

Cultural Events: Smithsonian Magazine Celebrates “Museum Day” With Free Entry To Over 1600 Museums On Sept. 21

From SmithsonianMag.com:

Free Museum Day Sept 21 2019More than 1,600 museums nationwide will be opening their doors for free on Sept. 21 in honor of Museum Day.

It’s an annual event organized by Smithsonian Magazine to celebrate cultural institutions and museum-goers across the country from Los Angeles to New York and from Hawaii to Alaska. It encourages museums, galleries and historic sites to allow free entry just as the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities do year-round.

Even some animal centers like the Charles Paddock Zoo (usually $10 for adults) in California and the Swaner Preserve and Ecocenter in Utah (also $10) have chosen to take part.

To find a participating museum click on the following link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/search/?q=Frist%20Art%20Museum%20&