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Watch out for the good guys

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Back from the great beyond- all parts, California. I got a little bit of everything in: a stop at Polly's for coffee on a couple occasions, wine tasting in Napa, celebrity treatment at a top-notch French restaurant, and some excellent scenery and running. I spent the first couple days in Long Beach and got a solid 20 miler in running from my uncle's house all the way down to Huntington Beach and Bolsa Chica. Next up was a stay in Escalon just north of Modesto, which is serious orchard country with trails in every direction and fresh fruit stands all over the road. From there we headed to Napa


to stay with my dad's old UCLA roommate. He took us to 2 really nice wineries set in amazingly lush hills. We then had dinner Chez Jeanty which offered traditional French fare. It was a great experience as we were treated by the owner to several dishes and desserts in addition to what we ordered. I had Coq Au Vin, but also sampled sweet breads,

escargot, pate', and crepe suzette to name a few. Next, we went to Rio Nido by way of Bodega Bay which is the setting of Hitchcock's The Birds. Rio Nido is a quiet little place set right on the Russian River, another big wine region. We visited with my mom's cousins here who have these great houses precariously situated on the top of hils with amazing views. I really liked this area because it was more rural then Napa but also had more character then Modesto, with alot of counter culture types and less of the yuppy appeal. Apparently, my mom's cousin is a member of Levi Leipheimer's gym and I also saw a guy who was decked out in full Slipstream attire so I presume he was a real team member. So, just a quick run down of the last 2 weeks. Alot of exciting travels and some harrowing driving through the Central Valley in high winds.
As far as giving a head's up to a local eatery, the fact that I haven't been in town makes no difference. It's been far too long since I've taken the short jaunt north on Sooner Rd. to Royal Bavaria.

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