Cable cars, clam chowder & China town: Jan 14th

We spent a romantic day riding the cable cars. There are only 3 operating lines, but it's enough to get you around. They are so incredibly great and haven't changed much since they were introduced in the late19th century. They were invented by Andrew Hallidie who, after seeing horses pulling wagons falling backwards to their deaths down the hills, thought there had to be a better way to navigate the hills. Or so the story goes. The really cool thing is how the cars operate. We went to the living museum where you can see the cables for the 3 lines in motion. The cars simply clamp onto the cables that run below the road and get dragged along. The tighter you clamp on, the faster the car goes.

Lunched down at Fisherman's Wharf and had the yummiest clam chowder served in a sour dough roll. Yum, yum! Then finished the day walking through in China town. Lots of really cool murals. Apparently San Francisco is famous for their murals. And you do see them everywhere.

Summer on a solitary beach

21 gennaio, primo giorno di primavera. Abbiamo viaggiato nel tempo per concedercelo due mesi in anticipo. Uno di quei giorni che vuoi solo corrergli incontro verso il mare per sentire una po' di sale ancora sotto ghiaccio, quel profumo salmastro e minerale che ti regala un  Fiano di Avellino appena tolto dal frigo. Eccoci qui: Carmel beach, 3 ore della nostra Nissan Corolla cambio automatico a sud di San Francisco. Io aspetto di fotografare la mia onda, poco piú in là un surfista aspetta la sua onda e anche Sofia sta rincorrendo la sua sulla spiaggia. E' Il primo caldo di un bicchiere di Cabernet di queste latitudini che ti accarezza dentro  e poi sale a massaggiarti il cervello, il sangue si rimette in circolo, tutto ti sembra raggiungibile. Ti vengono in mente le parole di Summer on Solitary beach: "mare mare voglio annegare, portami lontano a naufragare.." ma poi "è la presente, è viva è il suon di lei": Charlie mi guarda  portando la mano verso la bocca. Il messaggio non lascia dubbi, è ora di andare a cercare profumi e sapori più commestibili.

Food democracy

America great food democracy. Every kind of food from different countries, beliefs and values live together in peace and respect. McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Mary's, KFC, Wendys, Denny's and many others live all together on the same block. You have to try them all to avoid any religious, racial and sexual discrimination. We're trying to do our best and we've already scored at least a couple of Chinese take aways, 3 Mexican (including a Salvadorian restaurant in Napa while waiting for laundry to be ready), 3 take away pizzas (all boxes showing the Italian flag) and a couple of hamburger restaurants. But there comes a time when you feel the need of a cosy home dinner. Romantic abat jour light, a noisy air conditioner as a fireplace and on our hotel room desk a roast chicken (cut with 2 plastic forks) with an iceberg salad (dressed with a 200ml bottle of Napa Valley olive oil bought at the local visitor center after a serious oil tasting) and a bottle of Merlot Alexander Valley 2004. Home sweet home! I'm just concerned for the microwavable Stoufers Macaroni & cheese (freshly made pasta in a 100% real cheddar cheese sauce) charlie's choice for Sofia dinner, but she doesn't seem to share my concern and keep saying "pasta! pasta!". I'm becoming more and more carefull when we chose the hotel to check that rooms come with microwave and fridge along with cable tv and wi-fi.

Did you say 'ticks'? Jan 17th

It was a perfect day. Starbuck's Chai Tea Latte and muffins for breaky, a splash in the spa with Sofia and Ale and a lazy walk to the beautiful 100 year old Cabrillo lighthouse. The fog was still hanging in the air which made the walk through the 'wilderness' to the lighthouse even more exciting. As we hit the coastline, the fog lifted and we could hear seals. I grabbed Sofia and we sat staring at literally 100's of seals we could see bobbing in the water. So cool, until I realised we were looking at bull weed and kelp. Haha!

On our return to the car park, we realised we were on the wrong track, so I intelligently suggested to simply cut across the grassy area seperating us from the right path. Easier than it sounds. Carrying Sofia, I misjudged my step and all Ale saw was the both of us disappearing below super high grass! On the other side, a couple of women passed us and casually mentioned that seeing as we crossed the grass, best we check ourselves for ticks. Eek! Another dumb tourist boo boo!

The Village Toy Store: Jan 17th

We found the most amazing toystore in Mendocino. I would honestly rate it as one of the best and most beautiful toy stores I've ever had the pleasure of walking into. The owner Wanda has an incredible talent for finding the most wonderful array and choice of all different types of toys. I think we spent a good 30 mins chatting to the lovely Marsha who was working there while Sofia happily played with the toys. I was so incredibly inspired. For all those parents, grandparents etc out there, here are a couple of brand names (that I'd never heard of) to watch out for:

Melissa & Doug - amazing wooden castles
Folkmanis puppets - imagine an amazing peacock hand puppet
Great Pretenders and Little Adventurers - fabulous costumes
Natalie L'ete - just beautiful pieces
Enchantmints - gorgeous music boxes

I'm still smiling just thinking about this shop.

A lovely quote to leave you with...

'Because children thrive when they are surrounded by Beauty, Truth & Goodness'.

Driving through magnificance: Jan 16th

We spent our 2nd day wine tasting in Sonoma. Everyone is so friendly and warm, ready to chat and to share their tips on where to taste and eat. Off one such tip, we drove a little way up the hill to an Italian family owned vineyard (the original Italian family migrated in 1900!). They had lovely wines and an even more beautiful terrace and view. You could bring your picnic lunch while wine tasting which was so beautiful. We were peered down upon by many soaring eagles.

We left Sonoma Valley after lunch and drove to the coast and then up to Fort Bragg. I never realised how beautiful Northern California is. Driving through the redwood forests is like driving through forests from 'Lord of the Ring'. It literally does take your breath away. The trees just shoot straight up towards the heavens leaving we little folk in darkness on the ground. Different to what I've nicknamed 'Harry Potter' trees. These are ghostly looking, dripping with moss and with branches that shoot off in all directions...and we see them everywhere.

Leaving the redwood forests, we literally drove into the fog rolling in from the ocean. One minute - clear blue skies, the next, thick fog. Reminiscent of the Cornsh coastline just with massive Dodge and Ford trucks (utes on steroids) gunning down the roads.

This is such a beautiful part of the world.

Fifi: Jan 20th

Sofia has been such a legend so far on the trip. She seems to be growing more everyday and is repeating everything we (and the sat nav) say. She gives great directions in Italian.

She is charming everyone we meet even though the first word out of her mouth is usually 'no'. You know...that age. She has been playing with lots of dogs and little children and loves seeing the horses, sheep, goats, cows. She spent about 20 mins today playing with a sweet little Mexican/American girl called Sophie by putting rocks in a fountain at one of the vineyards. She loves her new Hello Kitty hat and wears it everywhere.

Without thinking the other day, I called her 'Fifi' and now that is her preferred name. Not Sofia, nor Fia...just Fifi. I've traded in my daughter for a poodle.