California/Indiana Sept 2009
I got to play my very first game of golf at the Poppy Hills golf course- at Pebble Beach, CA. I was very fortunate.....
This is a view from the club house before setting out for the day.
another view from the club house.
Birds stay close to the golfers to poach some food, while one is not looking.
A co-worker teeing off...
another co-worker...
me......
....and our gracious conference hosts.....
Towards the end of the day, the deer came out to the course for a bite to eat. We did see a 6 point buck on one of the putting greens.
After the conference ended, my wife and I headed to Sonoma for wine tasting with friends. This was taken at Sebastiani Winery, in Sonoma, CA.
Another photo taken at Sebastiani...
View from the front of our B&B - The Gables Inn, Petaluma, CA.
More from the front of the Gables Inn.
A close up of the vineyard across from the Gables....
Morning at the Gables Inn. Quite a nice place to spin a web.
A tree overhanging the property at the Inn.
Ferrari - Carano Vineyards. This place had great grounds, and gardens.
More of Ferrari - Carano.
In the afternoon, we went to Korbel. This building has been in use since the late 1800's.
Window at Korbel.
Inside Korbel, is a museum dedicated to the beginnings of the business. The first Korbel business at this site was a redwood mill.
More mill tools at Korbel.
Champaign in the aging process.
Casks in the basement of Korbel. These were put on by Coopers in the late 1800's, and are still used today. The only way to remove them is to destroy them, they are too big to remove in one piece.
The Gables Inn had a barn, complete with a barn owl. This photo did not come out that good, as it was very low light.
On our last day in Sonoma, we went to Benziger Vinyards. This family originally produced the Glen Ellen wine, which was later sold. This vineyard tour was by far the best - with a tour of the vineyards, some production, and the caves. It is still operated by the family today.
Great location for a phone.
No idea what this is, maybe an old windmill??
Vinyards at Benziger.
Grapes at Benziger.
Separating stems, feathers, and other debris from the grapes. This is a very important process. The family works the vineyard - the man on the left (mustache) is one of the family members.
Barrels in the cave.
More Benziger...
On to a series of meetings in Indiana. These are front indows at the French Lick Hotel. This is a grand old hotel. I am glad I got a chance to see it.
The French Lick Hotel has a beautiful wrap around porch loaded with rocking chairs. Quite a nice place to relax.
