You may have read other blogs about full-time RVers who describe how many wonderful people they’ve met on the road and yes, we have met some wonderful travelers, but the encounters are always brief because we move at a very fast pace, staying typically just 1-3 days in any single location and neither one of us would say we’re extroverts so there’s something great about returning to a place very familiar to you. You can catch up with family and friends who know you well. There are no constant introductions or discussions about who you are, where you’re from, etc. You simply pick up where you left off. This is so refreshing and enables us to recharge.
Our late fall stop in the Bay Area began with a visit to Doug’s Aunt and Uncle in Sonoma. Rolling vineyards lead to the upscale town of Sonoma and while their home offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life, they’re also within walking distance of the downtown square where there are plenty of places for foodies to enjoy and wine lovers to linger. Our favorite part of visiting is just sitting and catching up with them in their front room or backyard. They are absolutely delightful to visit!
Our reason for the visit was to stop at our storage facility. In addition to this less than 200sq. ft. RV we have a 10×10 storage unit in the East Bay and as we had decided to spend the winter in an Arizona apartment, taking a quick break from the RV, we wanted to pick up a few items. Looking at a lot of the bins and boxes in this unit, I can’t fathom why we kept some of these items! The mark of a minimalist! I’m quite sure we will rid ourselves of at least 1/3 of these items when we decide to really sort through it. I mean…I’ve only got one mouth…how many water bottles do I need?
We reconnected that evening with good friends, Donna and Bob. They’d sold their house and were moving to the opposite coast near Sarasota, Florida! This would be the last time we’d visit them in their lovely Livermore home.
Final stop? Elliston Winery in Sunol. The historic stone architecture of the winery and small, but lush, gardens made for an enjoyable day savoring the rich flavors of their wine. To complicate the theme of their winery, the grounds contain Buddhist statues, koi ponds, and ostriches on the property! I guess there’s something for everyone! They’re a harvest host so we parked the RV on their property for an overnight stay.
The following morning, Doug decided to give his new mountain bike a try. We started the journey with his road bike, but he quickly moved to a cross bike that we bought while visiting friends in Portland as we were riding mostly dirt roads. After several years on the road and breaking ribs first on his right side and later on his left, he decided that maybe something with better shocks and no clips was needed. We picked out a new mountain bike in Sisters, Oregon in late 2023. From the winery, he road towards Thermalito Trail in the Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park. Crisp fall air, a gentle ascent and panoramic views made for a great ride.
Family, friends, good food, some wine, and a short riding adventure, were rejuvenating, despite my irritation with the storage unit. All-in-all, being “home” reminded us of the simple joys in life – meaningful connections, beautiful landscapes, and a little glass of wine.
