Santa Cruz to Ukiah

Santa Cruz to Ukiah

It was a relatively quiet start to our morning, even the kids didn't seem anxious to get moving. But we managed to get up, packed, walked and loaded in the car and headed for Starbucks by 8am. After a leisurely breakfast of oatmeal and coffee we headed out of Santa Cruz on CA-17 over the Coastal Range. The traffic over the range was another white knuckle ride with 60mph traffic on a road designed for half the traffic and probably speeds of 50mph. Up, down, around and about we went for 20 miles to Los Gatos where santy returned as we changed to the CA-85 and then onto I-280, the Junipero Serro Fwy. Beautiful countryside with rolling green hills on our left and broad valley's on our right with a low range of hills along the South end of San Fransisco Bay.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge

Eventually the freeway came to an end and we were on 19th St headed through West San Fransisco toward the Golden Gate Bridge. No matter how many times we cross the bridge it's always a great experience! Soon we were across the bridge, out through the north tunnel and headed toward San Rafael on Hwy 101. We made a brief stop for gas and a break for the girls in Novato, then we were back on the road headed for Healdsburg.

The Central Square in Healdsburg is actually a large park

I got off the fwy in Windsor to see how much it had grown since we were there five years ago. What a change. We continued up the Old Redwood Hwy towards Healdsburg eventually arriving at the central square where we parked to get out and walk around. The Central Square is actually a park bordered on four sides by streets lined with shops, restaurants and businesses along the outer side of the square. What you think of when you think about an old fashioned small town.

Clock Tower

Of course, today, the city has grown so much more since the first time I was there on a bike ride with my friend Mike Wray from Chicago. that must have been at least 15 years ago. We ended up in a small cafe on the square for lunch and had a really great meal! Leaving Healdsburg we continued north to our destination, Ukiah, another small town.

100 year old olive tree at Saracina Vineyards

Along the way we stopped at Saracina Vineyards to see what they had for great wines. They are a small boutique winery that mostly serves a local base of clientelle and a few special patrons who belong to their Wine club. Tina tried several wines and ended up buying a Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah blend called Old Farm that she really liked along with a bottle of olive oil made on site from trees in the grove outside, some trees over 100 years old.

On the steps at Jaxon Keyes Wine Tasting Room

Our next stop was at Jaxon Keyes Winery, another small boutique vintner. Once again, after trying several wines, Tina found one she liked and we were back on the road to our lodgings at the Best Western on Orchard in Ukiah. We got settled in by 3:30pm and then I asked if Tina wanted to accompany me into town to buy some shirts. I had only brought one and with limited laundry opportunities, I figured I better have a couple more.

Three blocks away in a small mall was a new JC Penney. We actually found some very nice shirts on the discount rack and along with some new undies and tee shirts I was back in action. Since Tina had half of her lunch left I grabbed a 6" Subway Club and we ate dinner in. Some nights really are cheap!

After dinner I managed to finish up on the blog, upload photos and basically catch up on our finances while Tina and the girls relaxed. One more walk before bedtime and we'll turn out the lights!