Villainous Company

They say if you get stung by one of them jellyfish things, the best thing you can do is to pee on yourself.

Well now Pile, when I was a teenager I always heard you were supposed to put wet tobacco on a jellyfish sting, which would be hard now because I don't smoke cigarettes anymore. I guess I could use one of the Unit's cigars.

I think I might try that before your remedy.

There were a lot of jellyfish in Virginia when I lived there and someone was always getting stung when we were out freeboarding or at the beach, but I never did.

Why does it not suprise me that a Marine has cigars around? :-)

I'd sure like to know where Steve Conover gets his maps online. Any ideas?

I don't know George, but I can ask him. Steve's an awfully nice guy - maybe he'll be willing to share the information.

Home sweet home. The Central Coast of California.
Today is a LOVELY spring day here in our little neck of Georgia, and on a day like this at home, (which is about as hot as it gets year round on Monterey Bay from Bonny Doon to Big Sur)we would be on the beach. School be hanged, there were waves, dude.

You're not the only one who is green eyed with jealousy, Cass. I love it here, but I miss that part of California.

My suggestion for him is the art galleries in Carmel, but since he has it listed, I can only assume he has planned to attend something at the Sunset Center (Bach's Passion According to St. Matthew if it is there this year)in addition to taking in the beach, the galleries and the restaurants. Maybe the Barnyard at the mouth of Carmel Valley on Highway 1 and Rio Road and the mission is pretty dang kewl.

Hey Cricket, What part of Georgia? I grew up about a half hour North East of Athens.

Go Dawgs!

Oh, I love the Barnyard - I used to hang out there all the time, and I actually like Carmel Valley better than Carmel.

We also like Cambria - it's a little artist's colony on the California coast. There's a wine we still buy from there: Katherine's Chardonnay (inside joke some of you will get). We stopped there once and stayed at a B&B that lets everyone bring their pets with. We had Molly (our beagle) before she died and had wine and cheese on the lawn at sunset. All the guests came out to watch the sunset and the ocean (with their dogs) to share drinks on chairs and blankets - quintessential NoCal weirdness. So relaxed and nice. In the morning you could hear the owners bickering while they made your breakfast and brought it to your room - way too funny.

Oh and we have a hilarious pic of the Unit and myself dressed in saloon gear (he's a gunslinger, I'm the bad girl w/ a heart of gold) from the Monterey wharf. Fishnets, corset, and all - ooh la la. I was only about 26 or so, I think. Ha! I had it on the wall in California - it was a big hit with his arty bn when we had parties.

And Sterling Vinyard, you have to take the cable car ride up to the old mission at the top of the hill.

Best, most underrated, experience in Napa. Have a glass of wine at Auberge du Soleil on the patio as the sun sets over the coast line.

Best restaurant: Bouchon in Yountville.

Best wine: Opus

I've never been there Buzz, but will have to check it out. I was telling Steve, the best meal we had there was at Tre Vigne - I think it was right near Beaulieu vinyards, but it's been a few years so I'm not sure and we'd been driving around the back country sampling wine all day so I'm not sure my memory's all that accurate.

But it was wonderful.

Wine??? C'mon people you are talking about beer country.

You start in SF and visit the historic Anchor Brewery. Then you go up to Ukiah to visit the Mendocino County Brewery. From there you go to Fort Bragg and visit my favorite brewery North Coast. Ya better find a place to stay the night there because they have a great line up of beers and you will want to try all of them. There are a few other breweries in the area, just ask around before you go up to the high country and visit the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico.

Now I am jealous.

I am in the next county west of Fayetteville.

You know, that is the best part of being military.
The travel you get to do with family. Oregon is a favorite of mine, and collecting sand dollars that were already dead was fun, and tidepooling...what a way to spend a Saturday.

We used to go to the beach in Carmel at the end of Dolores, because for some strange reason, you could have a fire there. So, we would boogie and surf and swim, build a fire and cook and watch the sun set.

There was a Korean restaurant in Pacific Grove that was totally awesome. The food was outstanding. The view was spectacular. Cypress trees and pines, a chill in the air and a roaring fire with great company and great food.

Cass, you and your Unit can recreate those evenings on your lake now.

You went to the antique photo shop on the wharf? Or was it at the Edgewater Packing Company with the big carousel? They had a great video arcade and some wickedly cool magic trick shops up on the upper floor. I have one of those photographs too, although not with the Engineer. He just laughs at it.

Cass

Tre Vigne is great as well. 'Mustards' is a must-visit for first-timers, great local fare. The French Laundry (restaurant) in Yountville is world class but it takes several months in advance to get reservations.

When I was in the USAF, I was stationed just over the mountains at Travis AFB. Needless to say, wine country touring became a habit.

B

Cali's too 'spensive for me. Some of us are mere mortal computer geeks who can't make a living in places like that.

For jelly fish stings use Adolph's Meat Tenderizer.
It works.

I used to use meat tenderizer on bee stings for my boys - it works well on them, too, but I've never used it for jellyfish stings. Thanks :)

That is fine, if you want to reject my holistic organic all natural method of medical treatment.