Ca-Li-FOR-ni-A! (It’s a Nation State)

What a guy. This is his first year to fan his tail.

May 28

On our last morning we had the usual breakfast bounty followed by a yoga class then packing up, then lunch and a fond bon voyage.

Many Thanks all around.

Early risers off for some long-distance riding.

May 27

Good morning everyone here at the Rever-Ginsburg Farmhouse where Life Is Good.

From a walk around the grounds.

Peacocks everywhere.

A little Israeli folk dancing for some lively fun.

Henry! As you scroll through these visits to The Ranch you’ll see him grow from a baby chick in Barbara’s hand in 2009 to this splendid peacock today.

Because they are everywhere.

The guys doing their BBQ work…

…for tonight’s yet again another feast. I have not recently tried on the outfit that I got for the wedding since it >just< fit when I bought it and now after three days of FEASTING... Bummer, no picture of the evening's entertainment.

Everyone participated and it was a blast-o-rama.

We took a totally spectacular hike. I’ve driven through Pinnacles before and for a small walk by one of the campsites but never this.

Check out the climbers. This was a wonderful walk.

Oh my goodness. There are a couple of cave sites, the larger being closed because of bats and the smaller not in the direction we were walking.

Yes, more, and don’t miss the faces.

Wow everywhere we looked…

Then the tornado that surrounds dinner.

From the front: chicken and duck from Chinatown in San Francisco, all the delicious succulent salmon you can eat, boiled potatoes in the skin, layered stirfry with baby bok choy on top, broiled tomatoes with Parmesan and herbs, shredded vegetable salad, behind the potatoes are ravioli, then a chopped vegetable salad and a green salad.

Then our program and then dessert. Good thing I took that two hour nap!

The program as directed by Lewis: everyone was to choose a song from times past and perform their selection, no singing required.

Our hosts Barbara and Jerry doing their rendition of I Told the Witch Doctor. which was a particularly fun choice since they are both doctors.

May 26

The 10 of the now 25 visitors at The Ranch who decided to make an outing to Pinnacles National Monument.

Taking a break.

Oh look, the natural version of Levitated Mass coming to LACMA in June.

…all the way to the reservoir.

The cabin where I’m staying, and where I took myself a nice two hour nap.

May 25-28, 2012

I drove with Ben and Bonnie today up to The Ranch. They decided to take the 5 and save the extra hour from taking the 101. The 101 drive is usually gorgeous and the 5 is usually a stinky blinding dust storm … but not today! Today the drive up the 5 was beautiful.

Nice.

We ate lunch at Harris Ranch and from there went west to make our way to the Hollister area, the town nearest The Ranch.

You know you’re at The Ranch when you find yourself surrounded by peacocks…

…and olive groves.

They grow the olives commercially and produce organic extra virgin olive oil as well as other products under the brand name Oils of Paicines.

The crowd of about 18 gathered (many more coming tomorrow), and the womenfolk got down to the preparation of dinner. Bonnie led a Shabbat service, and eating and visiting and opinionating went on into the night.