Ordinary Days on Vine: Northern California Road Trip Adventure

Good afternoon from Dayton, Nevada! We are now into Day 5 of our autumn road trip but this post will regale you with photos from Day 3 and Day 4 (maybe) only. I take many more photos than there are hours in the day . . . in the waking day at any rate!

Thursday morning saw us pretty much just visiting with Dad and spending quiet time on the property. Dad had made it clear that he wanted to go out to breakfast as it is not often that he has someone to go with, so we drove to the IHOP (International House of Pancakes) in Grass Valley. Of course, the waitress knew him and loves him so we had excellent service, a few laughs, and a pretty darn good breakfast! When we got back to You Bet Road we chilled, like I said.

Sun just touching the tops of the trees. By the way, that extremely tall tree in the foreground is a tulip tree gone wild! :)

Next up are four random photos of the property's flora:

A fallen oak leaf on the branches of one of the many incense cedar trees on the property.

The incredibly huge holly bush at the junction of the driveway and upper pad. Every year for Advent and Christmas, the Grace Lutheran Church members come out and cut branches to decorate the sanctuary. They have been doing this for over 20 years.

Toyon berries - I looked this up to make sure and yes, that's what they are. Kind of pretty but, as I found out, quite poisonous!

An almost dead oak leaf on dead oak leaves.

The next photos show some of the industry that goes on here. Dad has made his four acres a virtual park with mowed grassy slopes, "logging" roads, and just plain organized beauty. He has a small herd of deer that pass through which we didn't see much of since there was the scent of dog around. On that note, though, Clare had gotten up early Thursday morning to let Rango out but because there was a doe standing right at the steps, he waited!

Clare and Dad at the tractor shed where the 1954 Oliver Cletrac and 1929 Cletrac tractors are housed.

The log splitter and chipper. The logs on the cart are from a Douglas Fir that Dad cut down this summer.

I thought this was a really "artsy" shot - Dad and Clare discussing engine stuff.

Dad driving up to the motor home on his 1947 Farmall tractor that he's had for nearly 40 years. He built the roof on it because he got tired of getting snow down his neck when plowing the drive in the winter.

There were naps taken and snacks (grapes) eaten during the afternoon and then Dad wanted to take us out for Mexican food at Margarita's in Grass Valley. Before we left though, there were a few more photos taken most particularly of our motor home on the upper pad taken from the house. We really wanted to see how steep the driveway actually is!