182. Thanksgiving!

     November 14, 2016

Perhaps we have
over prepared.

     The rest of the week went by quickly, Ruthie went to a Bunco party with Lynda and her friends on Monday.  Not sure?  I wasn't invited, its supposed to be some sort of a dice social game.  I remember the calendar said wear fuzzy slippers and bring a candle.  She wasn't out very late, seemed to have a good time, you'll have to ask her.
     We helped Lynda and Sterling prepare for Thanksgiving with friends.  It must be a pretty big deal.  We started lining up tables and chairs.   Ruthie was given the assignment of recreating Aunt Peggy's every so popular Sweet potatoe pie recipe.   I believe the goal was to triple the original size.  I sure hope somebody shows up for this event.  Our hosts seem to be working very hard they must be confident someone is coming over. 
     Meanwhile we were getting pretty nervous about our motorcycle sitting in a shop an hour away.  Evidently there were some problems.  The story we heard was it was the dirtiest carburetors they had ever seen.  Soaked them over night and then put them back in for another overnighter.  Another call, Carbs back on, now they are leaking.  Meanwhile we are paying for a rental car.   Lynda has volunteered to follow us up to return the car and bring us back.   She is to kind, we declined and decided to wait a few more days.  The night before the get together the shop said they should be calling by nine o'clock.  That should give us enough time to pick it up and get back in time.  We have heard starting times for the dinner from 2-3pm.  Saturday morning, activities on the ranch were picking up.   More tables and chairs were showing up.  Aromas floated over the three acre ranch.  Some were obviously from sweet  potato pie others were the ham and smoked turkey Sterling had started working on the night before.  12:30 Finally the call came, the trike was ready to go.   A little calculation, we figured a speed trip up, no visiting, return the rental and speed trip back.  Seems doable.   

The picture was taken at 1:53 PM

     As we arrived at the shop we were concerned when it wasn't waiting outside.  Not to worry they had it polished and on the showroom floor.  A quick picture, a few miles to return the rental and soon we were on the interstate above Highland CA heading Southeast toward Diamond Valley.   I liked the sound I was hearing and twisted the throttle more than normal to hear the six carburetors and the smooth roar from the engine.  Does everyone like the sound of a powerful engine revving to the red line?   Silly question, I'm sure every one does.  Probably wasn't very fuel efficient, with that in mind I noticed the fuel gauge was flashing at me.  Disappointed and wondering what the shop had done with my almost full tank of gas we searched for service stations near us.   An exit into Redlands proved futile as the fuel tank was practically full.  Evidently they had forgotten to reconnect the fuel gauge.  Back on interstate 10 we pushed the Valkyrie pretty hard in an effort to reach the dinner in time.  Even when we thought we were pushing, exceeding the legal speed limit thru the hills we passed very few vehicles and many went sailing past us.  

An hour and forty minutes later we
had taken our place at the table.

     We arrived with time to spare, like the California speed limits evidently the projected dinner start time was only a suggestion.   I believe by the time we ate there were over 50 guests, all the tables and chairs were occupied and a few had taken up residence in the gazebo.   Before we ate Sterling welcomed us and encouraged everyone to go around the table, introduce themselves and say something we were thankful for.   I thought back, on a recent winter trip I believe our winter hosts and employers looked upon everyone they came in contact for only their potential value to them.  Everything from ethnicity, race and social standing were cause for ridicule, distain and distrust.   Since we observed it on so many occasions I expect the same ridicule was directed at Ruthie and I when we were out of earshot.  Among many other things including our tiny home here I was thankful for this welcome change, our Diamond Valley hosts were genuinely interested and cared about all people.  As a result the afternoon was filled with delightful food, wine and interesting new acquaintances.   Some stayed late and gathered around a roaring campfire in the yard.   This was a great day!       
     The clean up scheduled for the next morning was pretty much finished by the time we were up.  Evidently Sterling is an early riser.   

     After our first massage on Monday Lynda acted as tour guide and chauffer visiting wineries, casinos, in the area.  She seemed to know the area very well. 

     The 23rd we all got in the car and Sterling drove us up the mountain to Idyllwild.   We went to a Ferro's a nice Italian restaurant they had been to before.  On a drive across the top of the mountain Ruthie expressed an interest in some of the large pinecones on the hillside.   Soon Sterling was climbing the hill gathering pinecones.

Yup, that's the kind of guy he is. 

           

      Thursday was a get together for brunch at their family friend and Bunco player Debbie's.  As we've grown accustom to on this trip the counter was covered with treats and beverages of every type.   A special treat was provided by one of the guests,  Christina had placed a wrapped popper in front of each plate.  You pulled on both ends and a surprise popped out.  

Surprise!

 That evening was a delicious dinner at neighbor Mary and Craig's.  Imagine, English Shepherds pie made and served by a proper English lady (I apologize, they have us watching "Downton Abbey")   It looks as if this will be the trip of new adventures and interesting acquaintances.  

     With Sterling and Lynda off to work we decided to mount the trike and do a little exploring on our own.   Ruthie and I went exploring on our own.   Almost suffering a rookie mistake as we headed for Ruthie's favorite pretzels at the large mall in Temecula.  Fortunately my co-rider realized it was not just any Friday, but the famous "Black Friday" of crowed malls and angry shoppers.  A quick U-turn and we were off for other adventures.   

     A stop at Masia de la Vinla proved to be a fun experience.  After that I'm going to take the blame or credit for our trip home.

     The day Sterling and I went to the shooting competition he had pointed out a shortcut at the intersection of De Portola Road and Mesa road.  He had warned me that it was treacherous and more efficient to drive several miles to go around.   We left the winery and I had plugged our winter home into the GPS, we turned left out of the entrance onto De Portola road.   Fortunately I was relieved when I seen it directed us right onto another road.  Evidently it new a safer route and I was anxious to see more of the countryside.   The road it chose was paved and seemed like a good choice.   The hills and curvy road were just what we came here for.   At the top of the hill we turned left to follow the ridge.


The road will probably improve ahead.

Evidently our GPS's good judgment was short lived, a couple of more turns and the road turned to sand.  Soon there were ruts that made us hug the edge of the road to miss them.  Back and forth from one side of the road to the other to avoid the ruts, I suppose we could have turned back however the scenery was so wonderful as we passed million dollar homes with small vineyards replacing lawns in their front yards.  White rail fences declared the owners boundaries sometimes seeming to stretch an unbelievable distance. 

     Hard to imagine the wealthy owners had to travel these rugged roads.   I believe we seen three vehicles, a pickup and two four wheel all terrain vehicles.

     This is the hill overlooking Mesa road.  A couple more treacherous blocks and we could turn right and travel home.   However the wine stop must have also affected my co-riders judgment.  As we reached the bottom of the hill I asked if we

should turn, her answer "the rest of it can't be any worse"  and it wasn't.  It was turning dark and cold by the time we dropped down off  De Portola road and caught sight of Diamond Valley Lake. (larger than I imagined) A fun adventure with pictures to show it happened. 
     Oh yes the surprise?  Mine a bottle opener shaped like a snowman, now a Christmas tree ornament.  Ruthie's a heavy duty compass, could have came in handy this week.