Maui – day 1

The next week will be spent in Hawaii with cousins Phyllis and Carol.DSC00970
So exciting! Our first stop, just 1.3 miles from the Kahului Airport: Discount Fabric Warehouse. DSC00971
The best selection of Hawaiian prints in the Islands.DSC00972
Our condo is in Kaanapali. DSC00973DSC00975 (1)

Grandmothers looking at the refrigerator

Sound asleep, but when Carson is awake, he likes to be held and carried.DSC00965
This morning, after he woke up, Carson could not be soothed. I changed his diaper, I tried to give him a bottle – nothing seemed to work … until I discovered a special spot in the living room where Carson could watch TV. There I stood and gently bounced until Thais came home. Whew! Rita, Lenin’s mother, came in the afternoon and I told her about the magic spot. DSC00966
She said, “I know this spot. I always stand here looking at the refrigerator so Carson can watch TV.”
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Rice farming

Field preparation began in March. The time of year to keep your windows closed and change your walking route.
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Now the fields are being flooded to a depth of 5″ prior to seeding.DSC00940
Water flowed from one field to the next.DSC00934
Farmers watch carefully to maintain the 5″ water depth for the next five months.DSC00927
There were two different crop dusters flying over Justin’s house today. This one flew directly over Justin’s house every 10-15 minutes. DSC00952DSC00953 (1)
There are short landing strips all over the place with a supply truck standing by for reloading.
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This has nothing to do with rice, but it’s a pretty good picture of Justin’s walnut trees (on the right side of the driveway only). On April 1, only catkins were visible.DSC00924

Rainy Friday

No bike riding today. So we shopped, toured IKEA (Billie’s first time), had Salmon BLTs at Cafe Bernardo, explored some retirement communities in N Natomas, and bought groceries. Billie is a phenomenal cook. DSC00899
Tonight, she made salmon (a favorite) with honey & brown mustard, fresh peas, and seasoned rice. Yum!
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Chinatown and cable cars

Today we checked off a couple of things on Billie’s bucket list. We drove to Walnut Creek and took BART into San Francisco. A very friendly boy going to the Giants game with his dad started up a conversation with Billie:
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Near Market & Embarcadero:
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Don’t let the smile fool you, I’m hanging on for dear life:
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There are so many places to eat in Chinatown, therefore hard to know which one to choose. We took Sunset magazine’s suggestion and ate at R & G Lounge. Excellent choice!
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Dubious Billie explored the markets and herb shops with many unusual offerings, including different varieties of ginseng (some cost $400/lb) or dried sea cucumbers.DSC00882
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The Fairmont Hotel:DSC00888
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The Buena Vista Inn serves the BEST Irish coffee!DSC00892
Golden Gate Bridge:DSC00893
There was a 45-minute wait for the cable cars, so we walked along the wharf and caught a bus.DSC00895
Our BART ride back to Walnut Creek was packed! Commuters and Giants heading home. DSC00898
Check and check. Now Billie needs to add more things to her California bucket list. Fun day!

Ride #4

The American River Bike Trail from Beal’s Point at Folsom Lake to Old Sac. Phyl dropped us off – and she picked us up at the end.DSC00868
LOL – Vamping for the camera:DSC00863
Looking upriver from the Folsom Pedestrian Bridge:
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Looking downriver, the Rainbow Bridge:
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Miles = 33