RETURN-LOUISIANA

Nov. 16, 2009---Had to get up early to drive to the airport located south of San Fransico. It is 110 miles from Santa Rosa with lots of traffic. Fog kept traffic slowed down until some clearing took place.

Many thanks to Tabor and Marlys for a wonderful time in northern California. A lot was done in a short period of time. Allen and Carol are very grateful for the adventure. Last thing Tabor said when they dropped us off is "what are we going to do without you?"

The trip back to Louisiana on American Airlines was uneventful and with just one layover Allen & Carol arrived home at 6:30 PM.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Nov. 15, 2009---Made another trip to El Dorado for church. Returning to Santa Rosa was most enjoyable as we traveled through wine country and viewed many fields with rugged mountains as a backdrop.

Later in the evening we joined John and Kevin with their wives at an Italian restaurant called Risirisi. These are the two men who made a hunting trip with Tabor on the Rule Ranch in Wyoming this past October. They certainly enjoyed time on the ranch and the hunt was very successful as each of them got antelope and deer with nice racks of horns.

DINNER

Nov. 14, 2009---Spent the day sorting pictures on Tabor's computer. Downloaded all the cameras. Went to dinner at Cattlemen's in Petaluma. Grandaughter of Tabor and Marlys works there. Arrangements were made for her to wait our table as we also had her brother with us. It was fun to meet the kids and the meal was great.

HUNT

Nov. 13, 2009---Tabor took Allen on a bird hunt at Quail Point Hunt Club.

When positioned near the assigned fields, birds were brought out in a jeep and planted in the grass. Quail and Pheasant were the birds of choice.

After waiting for the birds to settle the dogs were unloaded and exercised. After a while it was time for the dogs to get to work.

Walking the field it became obvious the dogs were well trained.Tabor commanded his black lab to "find the birds" and that is exactly what the dog did. As the birds were flushed from the grass an opportunity to shoot was short.

Tabor certainly showed he had done this many times before.

Doc and Tabor on the tailgate. Surely some laughter took place when it was mentioned how slow Allen was to get ready to shoot!


Everyone had a good time.

HISTORY MUSEUM

Nov. 12, 2009---Took a few pictures of Tabor's backyard. Nice when it is the golf course being maintained daily.

Drove to San Francisco to visit the Museum of Natural History.
Carol enjoyed the little giraffe.

There are several excellent displays of African wildlife.

In the area designated as "rain forest" there were birds and butterflys.

Aquarium had plenty of fish.

The only alligator was albino. Yes it is alive!

LOCAL FLIGHT

Nov. 11, 2009---Drove to San Francisco. The Veterans Day traffic was incredible! Drove around in the Golden Gate park and chose to return to Santa Rosa.

Mt. Tamalpais on the right took on more meaning after climbing to the top yesterday.

Tabor and Allen slipped away to the airport in Petaluma. It did not take long to pre-flight and get in the air. It was a calm day and just fun to fly around the local areas.

Home of Tabor and Marlys can be seen in the picture on the left. It is the house with a brown roof to the right of the pond and nearly hidden by the single yellow tree,

After leveling out at cruising altitude of 3000 feet Tabor turned the controls over to Allen. What a thrill as it has been 13 years since Allen had an opportunity to fly. Allen sold his Cherokee 235 in 1996.

Of course Tabor took over controls for the landing!

It was really great to fly the plane! It is a terrific performer with the 300 HP engine.

MT TAMALPAIS

Nov. 10, 2009---Made a trip to Mt. Tamalpais.

Upon reaching the parking lot it was like an arial view of the surroundings. The haze created on ominous view of the Pacific Ocean.

Carol and Allen with San Francisco in the background.



The lookout tower did not appear far away, but the uphill walk was 3/10 of a mile and very rocky on the upper end of the trail.

Looking down from the top at the parking lot on the left.

Coming down the trail Marlys
and Tabor stopped for a photo.

Looking down from the mountain as Stinelus Beach.

Saw some large deer on the mountain.

Ducks were plentiful.

ALCATRAZ

Nov. 9, 2009---Boats like the one on he right take visitors to Alcatraz Island every 30 minutes from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Alcatraz is about 1 1/2 miles from San Francisco. It only takes about 12 minutes to make the trip.



Golden Gate Bridge can be seen in the distance.



The island was purchased from the spanish in 1846 for the US Government. It was originally for military use to protect the bay from intruders. Alcatraz was used to house Civil War prisoners as early as 1861. Alcatraz became a federal prison in 1934. Many notable prisoners were kept there until the prison was closed in 1963. It was closed because of the expense to operate. The island is now a part of the National Park Service.

Alactraz island is nearly covered with concrete structures that make up the prison complex. The lighthouse constructed in 1854 was the first one constructed on the west coast and is still in use today.

Living quarters for families that worked on the island.

Carol is happy to be on the outside of the bars.


There is a lot of history to learn about on the island. Prisoners here were not allowed to speak when in their cells. Conversation between inmates was only allowed when they were outside for a short time in the exercise area on weekends.

San Francisco seen across the bay.

Cells are very small. Measuring 5' wide x 9' deep and 7' high allowed little room for comfort. It is no wonder that many escapes were attempted. This cell is one where the prisoner used a broken spoon handle to dig through the wall behind the vent.

Guard tower on the left was occupied by armed guards when the prison was active.


On the right another view of the island as we returned to shore.

The well known bay bridge that goes between San Francisco and Oakland could be seen on the return trip. Looking closely a crane was observed where repairs to the bridge were being made. A cable had broken causing the bridge to be closed for several days.

Skyline of San Francisco seen from the bay.




Another view of the Golden Gate Bridge as we headed north on the 75 mile trip back to Santa Rosa.

Made a little side run through the town of Sasalito. The homes seem to cling to the hill sides.

There are all kinds of boats in the huge marina.





Lots of people live in homes on the water.