Crater Lake Lodge, overlooks Crater Lake, 1920's rustic charm, Oregon

I first heard about Crater Lake from my cousin Joanne, I'll never forget her telling me that it was so beautiful that it took her breath away!  Years ago,  I recommended we have a family reunion there someday, wanting a reason to visit this mysterious place.  This summer I want to visit Crater Lake and stay at the Crater Lake Lodge.  This is a 71 room lodge that originally opened in 1915.  It overlooks Crater Lake and has a boldly stated fireplace.  The lodge was closed for awhile and reopened in after extensive renovation in 1995.  The atmosphere is reminiscent of a 1920's rustic charm.

Vacation in a bungalow at the Lithia Springs Resort, Ashland, Oregon

This summer I want to visit Ashland, Oregon to see a Shakespeare play and visit the area.  I have heard of a wonderful retreat called the Lithia Springs Resort that has personal bungalows for people to stay in.   There is also a beautiful garden!  This inn is about 3 miles from downtown Ashland.  There is afternoon tea and cookies which my son will love!  Also, there is a library with book selections for guests to borrow.  Each bungalow has a 2 person tub where healing mineral warm springs are piped in. Also, there is a complimentary breakfast, wireless as well as free parking.  Ashland is also about two hours away from one of the other places I want to visit, Crater Lake.

(Picture from the Lithia Springs website)

Resources:

Lithia Springs Resort
2165 West Jackson Rd.
Ashland, OR
97520
(541) 482-7128
http:  //lithiaspringsresort.com
(ask to stay in one of the private bungalows)

Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon - Jack London Square, Oakland, CA

I was in Jack London Square tonight and I walked by Henold's First and Last Chance Saloon.  This bar was opened in 1883 by Johnny Heinold as J.M. Heinold's Saloon and looked much then as it does today.  During the 1920's, the ferry that ran between Alameda and Oakland stopped next to Heinold's, since Alameda was a dry city at the time, this bar was truly a commuter's first and last chance for a refreshment.  As the years wore on, many servicemen left for overseas from the Port of Oakland, and the First and Last tradition stuck, so the name of the saloon was officially changed to Heinold's First and Last Chance.

When Jack London was young he would write notes for The Sea Wolf and the Call of the Wild at the tables in the bar.  At age 17, he confided to John Heinold his ambition to go to the University of California and become a writer.  Johnny lent London the money for tuition and, although he never got beyond his first year, it was while studying in the saloon and listening to the stories of ships' mates and stevedores that he developed his thirst for adventure.  The theme of men bravely facing danger appears throughout the best of his works.  In fact, Johnny Heinold and The First and Last Chance Saloon are referenced  seventeen times in London's novel, John Barleycorn.  

The dimly lit bar uses its original gas lights and it is the only commercial operation in California that still uses them.  The stove is also original and was used as the only source of heat until 1989.  The mirror over the bar is over 100 years old along with the deer head that hangs next to it.

Resources:

Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon

Designated National Literary Landmark, January 12, 1998

48 Webster Street

Jack London Square

Oakland, CA  94607

(510) 839-6761

Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade, Mill Valley, CA -"Let the Good Times Roll"

Today is the Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade in Mill Valley, CA.  It is at 10:30AM.  The parade will go from Old Mill Park to Mt. Tamalpais High School.

Home Tours: Rockridge Kitchen tour on September 29, 2013 in Oakland, CA

I've been going to the Rockridge Kitchen Tour since I moved here, and I've loved it every year.  The tour started in 1995, and it is run by mostly community volunteers.  They are also looking for volunteers to add to the publicity, photography, food,  registration committees, and docents to show off the fabulous kitchens.

Resources:

Rockridge Kitchen Tour
Sunday, September 29, 2013
(For more information see website, www.rockridge.org.)
This tour is sponsored by the Rockrige Community Planning Council
4123 Broadway, PMB 311
Oakland, CA  94611
(510) 869-4200
 

The Chocolate Garden, decadent handmade truffles, Coloma, Michigan, nestled in a fruit orchard

As  we were driving on I-94 in Michigan toward Chicago, we saw the Chocolate Garden in a bungalow-turned shop.  They have truffle tasting, and I tried three different truffles. I liked the dark chocolate truffle, my son liked the salted dark chocolate truffle.

This truffle shop has even been featured on the Food Network, Fine Living TV, and on the Travel Channel.

They ship truffles all over the United States, so I'll be ordering them as gifts or for myself at home.

[picture from www.chocolategarden.com.]

Resources:

The Chocolate Garden
Coloma, Michigan
www.chocolategarden.com
(269) 468-9866

Example of finding a home's geneology

There is a wonderful example of a home's geneology on the site bungalowinsanity, researched by bungalowicious.

Resources:
Bungalow Insanity
Http://bungalowinsanity.com/2008/12/05/our-houses-genealogy

History of Claremont Hotel, Berkeley, CA

In the 19th Century, it was but a fantasy in a young prospector's mind.  Later, it became a castle for he and his wife.  In 1915, it was reborn as a grand hotel, in time for the San Francisco Fair of 1915.

Old postcards of the hotel can be viewed at http://www.alamedainfo.com/claremont_hotel_berkeley_ca.htm.

History of the hotel can be found on the back of an old Claremont Hotel menu at http://www.alamedainfo.com/The_Claremont_Hotel_Berkeley_CA_Story_From_1957_menujpg.

The Claremont Hotel and Grounds are an official city of Oakland landmark.
(http://berkeleyheritage.com/housetours/callhousetour2001.html)

4th annual Berkeley Wine Festival - Claremont Country Club, Berkeley, CA

The Meritage Restaurant at the Claremont Country Club and Spa is presenting a Berkeley Wine Festival, this is modeled after the Boston Wine Festival.  The dinners showcase wines from Sonoma, Napa, and the Central Coast.  Dishes for each dinner will be created by Chef Scott Quinn in Meritage to complement the vintner's selections.

Upcoming dinners:

Friday, May 10, 2013
St. Supery Vineyards and Winery
Reception and Dinner, 6:30PM, $130.
St. Supery wines are created from two estate vineyards located in Napa Valley.  Owner Emma Swain will share her diverse wines including Dollarhide Cabernet Sauvignon and meritage blends Elu and Virtu.  An exciting meal by Chef Quinn will accompany these fine wines.

Friday, May 17, 2013
Spring Mountain Vineyard
Reception and Dinner, 6:30PM.  $150.
Winemaker Jac Cole hosts a special evening of these spectacular Spring Mountain Wines.  This year commemorates 140 years of cabernet from Spring Mountain Vineyards oldest vineyard, La Perla, the first, Spring Mountain AVA vineyard to have planted cabernet sauvignon.  Featured wines will be their 2011 sauvignon blanc and multiple vintages of the Elivette and cabernet.

Friday, May 24, 2013
Reception and Dinner, 6:30PM., $140.
Tres Sabores, located in Napa on the Rutherford Bench nestled in the base of the hills, produces elegant zinfandels, along with other varietals.  Julie Johnson returns to showcase her boutique wines.  Chef Quinn will utilize many of the ingredients found on Julie's property to make this a truly "vineyard to table" evening.

Resources:
Berkeley Wine Festival, 2013
www.berkeleywinefestival.com
Claremont Hotel Club and Spa
41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, CA  94705
Berkeley, CA  94705
(510) 898-0040