Applegate Zoo

For years I’ve been coming to Merced and driving past the Applegate Zoo.  For years  Scott has been telling me how the Applegate Zoo is terrible and showcases nothing more than a Lhasa Apso in its natural environment (i.e. a couch).  I’ve never met a zoo I didn’t like, and I like to go to zoos every where I go – I’ve even been to the zoo in Barcelona.

Last time I saw my in-laws I mentioned to them how I’ve been dying to go to the Applegate Zoo for seven years.  They echoed Scott’s sentiments about the lack of exotic animals at the zoo, but agreed to take me regardless.  Today we visited the zoo.  It was fantastic … even the resident Mercedians thought so.  Granted, it was a small zoo, but it was well-kept and a pure delight. As with most of my animal postings, this story is best told in pictures.  Enjoy.

Applegate Zoo Entry

Very affordable entry

Pacing cougar

Curious raccoon

Hard to see, but a peacock with fully fanned-out tail feathers

This swan loved the shower

Sleepy bear

Lunch time for the monkeys

Fess Parker Winery

As we were chatting with the man at the front desk of our hotel, he offered to give us a coupon for two free wine tastings at Fess Parker Winery.  Not people to turn down “free,” we decided to make a pit stop on our way out. 

The Fess Parker Winery is owned by the late Fess Parker, who played Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone in the Disney movies of the 1950’s and ’60’s, and his family.  The virtues that made these characters lives, and probably Fess Parker’s as well, are amazingly apparent when you enter the winery.

First, there are coon-skin hats everywhere … and not just for people, but for wine bottles too.  That was a first for me to see a fur on a wine bottle.  The winery is vast and very out-door driven.  The wine-tasting building is surrounding by a giant grassy area where families share picnic food, play games and even romp with their dogs. 

As you drive into the winery it is impossible to miss the beautiful rose-bush-lined fences leading to the gate and building entrance.  Inside the winery, you get a woodsy, log cabin feel that is punctuated by the enormous stone fireplace in the back.

The tasting room offers 6 varietals per tasting, all of which were unique and good in their own way. 

This concludes my week of posting on the Santa Ynez Valley.  I hope you enjoyed the journey as much as we did.

Easter in the ‘Saw

I’m so behind on blogging … mainly because I went out of town to spend Easter in Arkansas and have been scrambling to catch up ever since.

Mom and Uncle Mike

L to R: Mike, Scott and Charlie Fishing

My mom and step-dad Charlie live in Arkansas, and my great uncle Jim and great aunt Mona live about an hour north of them in Missouri.  Scott, my uncle Mike and Aunt Brandi, and I spent about five days visiting with them and their friends.  It was a truly great time.

What did we do?  Well, the question is – what didn’t we do?

Scott Relaxing on the Dock

• ate
• laughed
• shopped
• watched a University of Arkansas baseball game
• boating
• fishing
• golfing
• relaxed
• shopped
• ate some more
• laughed some more

L to R: Me, Aunt Mona, Mom, Aunt Brandi Tailgating

Californian’s sneer when they hear about visiting Arkansas, but it is truly a beautiful state full of friendly people, nature and good food.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is the birthday of one of my two most favorite people in the world – my mom! 

BFFs - Mom and me.

 She is an amazing woman who has always been there for me, taught me all about life – and is even more type A than me.  In her shadow, I look like a type B or C.  A girl can only hope to be as good as her hero. 

So here’s to you, Mom!  Best wishes for a very happy birthday.  Wish I could be there with you to celebrate.