TravelswithCharie

Winter Bedroom In 1901 a young Sicilian immigrant named Baldassare Forestiere arrived in Boston with a dream of becoming a citrus grower. He found a job as a subway digger until 1905 when he bought 85 acres of land in the San Joaquin Valley in California. Alas the land he bought turned out to be hardpan so his dream ended there. But being an enterprising man, he worked during his spare time to build a home for himself below the ground where it was mercifully cooler.  Forty years later, he had transformed this subterranean abode into comfortable quarters for himself and planted fruit bearing trees on 10 acres of his land. Passageway Summer bedroom This room has a window overlooking a private courtyard which allowed air to circulate and kept the room cool. Baldassare built this alcove above ground to keep the moisture off his bed. Outdoor Victorian tub Baldassare took a warm bath in this courtyard. The water was supplied by a metal tank above ground and connected by means of a hose. Thes

At the Hilmar Cheese Company, learn all about cheese making and then some.  From the cow To the processing plant To your table It’s the story you’ll want to hear about and savor. And take home with you. Cheese is actually good for you. It’s rich in calcium and protein. Hilmar also has a café. My favorite is their Bacon me crazy grilled cheese sandwich. It’s so good! Check out their menu here:  https://www.hilmarcheese.com/cafe/ Hilmar  Cheese Company 9001 North Lander Avenue, Hilmar, California (off State Highway 99) hilmarcheese.com ***** Images by TravelswithCharie

Love lavender. It makes my clothes smell heavenly. It has a soothing effect. It also has culinary uses. Have you ever tried lavender flavored muffins or cakes? Yum! Mid-June is a good time to visit a lavender field. The color of the lavender flowers are just turning a deep purple. The varying hues of the lavender field also depends on sunlight. If you’re taking photographs, it’s best to take them from different directions and perspectives to catch the best light. Pageo Farms is on 11573 Golf Link Road in Turlock, California. It’s off of Highway 99 between Modesto and Merced in the Central Valley. They have a shop full of everything lavender including scented soaps, essential oil, lotion, body gel, sachets, spices and knick knacks. Check their website for more information: pageolavenderfarm.com ***** Images by TravelswithCharie 

   Painted Ladies, Steiner Street and Hayes Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon Street   Balcutha on Hyde Street Pier Crooked Street (Lombard Street) Bay Bridge St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street Yes, it’s easy to leave your heart in San Francisco. With the fog rolling in over the hills, the call of the foghorn, the chill in the air that makes you want to cuddle and the views over the bay, it’s not easy to let go. I left my heart in San Francisco High on a hill, it calls to me To be where little cable cars Climb halfway to the stars The morning fog may chill the air I don’t care My love waits there in San Francisco Above the blue and windy sea When I come home to you San Francisco Your golden sun will shine on me. I left my heart in San Francisco, Tony Bennett, Columbia Records For more information about San Francisco, visit  https://www.visitcalifornia.com/places-to-visit/san-francisco/ Or  https://sfgov.org/visitors ***** Images by TravelswithCharie

Pismo Beach Pier After months of staying indoors with only an occasional getaway to the supermarket, it was a huge relief to take a short road trip to the coast. The weather was warm and the sky was clear. Though Pismo Beach was hopping with weekenders, we found parking a short distance from the beach. Most of the people on the pier and on the beach had their masks on.   The wooden pier is 1,200 feet long and extends out into the Pacific Ocean. It was renovated in 2020. There are a couple of vintage Airstream concession stands along its length offering snacks, drinks and souvenirs. The pier is connected to the plaza which has shops, cafés and a children’s playground.    Stairs lead down to the beach from both the north and south sides of the pier. It was fascinating to see the pylons supporting the pier. The pier has the best view of the surfers who, this late in the day, are still waiting patiently to ride the big wave. Sunset is that time of day when everyone stands quietly staring a

  After months spent at home all bundled up in sweaters and shawls, it was refreshing to go out to the orchards and see the blossoms invade the once dried up trees. Ahhh, spring is only three weeks away but in California, it’s here. What a lovely day! Sound the flute! Now it’s mute Bird’s delight, Day and night, Nightingale, In the dale, Lark in the sky, Merrily, Merrily, merrily, to welcome in the year.... Excerpt from William Blake, Spring And since to look at things in bloom, Fifty springs are little room, About the woodlands I will go To see the cherry hung with snow... Excerpt from A. E. Houseman, The Loveliest of Trees ***** Images by TravelswithCharie

Josefa Villanueva Reyes (Josefa Arnaldo) started her ballet training in the Philippines with Roberta and Ricardo Cassell (a student of Vincenzo Celli, an acclaimed ballet master, teacher and choreographer). She was formerly a member of the San Francisco Ballet Company, the San Francisco Opera Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet Celeste. Her performing experience includes multiple principal roles from the classical repertory.  Villanueva Reyes received a Certificate for taking part in the International Vaganova Conference/Demonstration in St. Petersburg, Russia which featured the entire 8-year system including Classical Dance, Character, History Dance and Variations. She has taken master classes from renowned Russian teachers including Sergeyev, Dudinskay, Golovkina, Kirsten Ralov and from Dina Bjorn. Further, she has taken classes under distinguished teachers in New York City including Valentina Pereyslavic, Leon Danelien, Frederic Franklin, David Howard and Juergen Schneider. Villanue

Sundial Bridge The bridges of Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, evoke musicality and flight. He likens the Sundial Bridge he designed in Redding, California to a goose in flight. Concrete, pylon, steel and glass panels span the Sacramento River. This is a working sundial. Sacramento River Sundial Bridge is 720 feet long and 23 feet wide pedestrian bridge. The deck is laid with 2,245 glass panels which are lit with 219 lights. It took eleven years to complete and cost $24 million.  Across the Sacramento River into the trees, the Sacramento River Rail Trail is a scenic 17.4 mile trail from Sundial Bridge to Shasta Dam. How to get there: Turtle Bay Exploration Park 844 Sundial Drive Redding, California Take Interstate 5 from California or Oregon, exit Highway 44 to Sundial Drive. Parking available. No entrance fee.  ***** Images by TravelswithCharie

Ah Sunflower! weary of time, Who contests the steps of the Sun: Seeking after that sweet golden clime Where the travelers journey is done. Where the Youth pined away with desire, And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow: Arise from their graves and aspire Where my sunflower wishes to go. William Blake Notice the sky in the background, heavy with smoke from the California wildfires. Over 12,000 lightning strikes caused hundreds of fires, scorching millions of acres in the last week. As dry and hot conditions continue, thousands of firefighters are struggling to contain the fires that are threatening to raze more homes. We need blessed rain. And more people who care about our planet to stem the tide of climate change. Have you heard the story of Apollo and Clytie? According to Greek mythology, Clytie, a nymph, adored Apollo but he fell out of love with her when he met Leucothoe. Overwhelmed by jealousy, Clytie told Leucothoe’s father about her relationship with Apollo and he punished his dau

What does October remind you of? Pumpkins and marigolds Golden trees and falling leaves "O hushed October morning mild, Begin the hours of this day slow. Make the day seem to us less brief. Hearts not averse to being beguiled, Beguile us in the way you know. Release one leaf at break of day; At noon release another leaf; One from our trees, one far away." Excerpt from October by Robert Frost Discovering there are other types of pumpkins Orange you glad Crawling vines turning red and gold Corn with black ears  Pumpkin pie. But can you make pies from these pumpkins with warts? Pleasant walks with a warm sweater Cool, crisp air Steaming and sweet apple cider Ghouls and trolls Trick or treat Candy Pumpkin wishes and Halloween dreams. What are your October feels? ***** Images by TravelswithCharie