James Burleigh
Well-known member
[SIZE=12pt]Join us on Saturday, January 16, for the second annual Birds, Beans, and Bierstadt Ride--a full day of riding, fun, culture, comraderie, eating, and learning in the California Central Valley.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]1. The Birds[/SIZE]
Fall has come to California's Central Valley, and with it thousands of sandhill cranes on their annual migration to feed and roost in marsh and grassland around Lodi. The graceful, 5-foot-tall birds migrate to the Lodi area in October and stay through February. State scientists rave about the cranes, which can cover 350 miles a day, calling them "magnificent birds, with characteristic red-crowned heads, unique clicking vocalization and distinct postures." (In other words, if you live nearby they're a pain in the a**!)
We will start our day with a 10-minute ride from the rendezvous location to the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve. There we will stop by the side of the road to watch the birds hobnobbing and fornicating in the local fields. With 6-foot wingspans, the sight of a flock of them flying over will take your breath away. Bring binoculars (there might be "birds" in bikinis swimming in nearby farm ponds :cold: )!
For more information about the birds and the reserve, go to Information about the Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game Woodbridge Ecological Reserve
[SIZE=12pt]2. The Beans[/SIZE]
After throwing some rocks at the birds (and peeing on their habitat since there's no bathrooms at the reserve), we will head for lunch about 20 minutes away to a delicious, authentic Mexican restaurant in beautiful downtown Lodi, "the perfect destination for everyone in the family!" :glare: (source: Lodi Visitor Bureau). The venue:
Angelo's
28 North School Street
Lodi, CA 95240-2113
In Lodi's "charming downtown with boutiques, antique shops, and turn-of-the-century Victorians ," (ibid.) we will eat musical beans while singing Mexican love songs (albeit not with our mouths' full, Mom :innocent: ) , and dance Mariachi style till we all vomit and fall down. At which point it will be time for the pièce de résistance of our cultural tour.
Above, FJR Forum members from the Far East region (even farther than Boston :huh: ) enjoy authentic Mexican food in Lodi during the Sandhill Crane Festival in November.
[SIZE=12pt]3. Bierstadt[/SIZE]
Looking Up the Yosemite Valley, Oil on canvas, 36 x 58 1/2, c. 1863-75, Albert Bierstadt
After we settle up with the owner on the damage from lunch we will head south about 30 minutes to the little-know but excellent Haggin Art Museum in Stockton to see the magnificent paintings of Yosemite Valley by the famous 19thc. Hudson River School painter Albert Bierstadt.
The Haggin Museum opens at 1:30, and costs a very reasonable $5.00. Learn more about it here.
From the museum it will be homeward bound for all....
[SIZE=12pt]Rendezvous, Timing, and Directions[/SIZE]
We will gather around 10:00 AM at Flag City Shell, departing sometime between 10:30 and 11:00. The Shell station is at the corner of highways 5 and 12:
6437 W Banner Rd
Lodi, CA 95242-9125
NOTE: Ride is dependent on weather. No sun no fun. Rain will force a re-scheduling.
[SIZE=12pt]Participants List[/SIZE]
JB, Concord (Hans)
jwhite518 and daugher, Fremont (Jerry and Claire)
Jerry's friend Ben with son, Toby
madmike2, Sacramento (Old Fat Bastard
)
Hycles, Dixon (Mike and Terri)
Bluestreek, Marysville (Steve)
Bugnatr, Sacramento
Ranch Hand, Elk Grove (Dave and Nancy)
Puppy Chow (Sam)
Old Michael, Sacramento (Old Michael). If he can get up early enough.
gfran (Gary and Cindy)
Nightshine
[SIZE=12pt]1. The Birds[/SIZE]
Fall has come to California's Central Valley, and with it thousands of sandhill cranes on their annual migration to feed and roost in marsh and grassland around Lodi. The graceful, 5-foot-tall birds migrate to the Lodi area in October and stay through February. State scientists rave about the cranes, which can cover 350 miles a day, calling them "magnificent birds, with characteristic red-crowned heads, unique clicking vocalization and distinct postures." (In other words, if you live nearby they're a pain in the a**!)
We will start our day with a 10-minute ride from the rendezvous location to the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve. There we will stop by the side of the road to watch the birds hobnobbing and fornicating in the local fields. With 6-foot wingspans, the sight of a flock of them flying over will take your breath away. Bring binoculars (there might be "birds" in bikinis swimming in nearby farm ponds :cold: )!
For more information about the birds and the reserve, go to Information about the Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game Woodbridge Ecological Reserve
[SIZE=12pt]2. The Beans[/SIZE]
After throwing some rocks at the birds (and peeing on their habitat since there's no bathrooms at the reserve), we will head for lunch about 20 minutes away to a delicious, authentic Mexican restaurant in beautiful downtown Lodi, "the perfect destination for everyone in the family!" :glare: (source: Lodi Visitor Bureau). The venue:
Angelo's
28 North School Street
Lodi, CA 95240-2113
In Lodi's "charming downtown with boutiques, antique shops, and turn-of-the-century Victorians ," (ibid.) we will eat musical beans while singing Mexican love songs (albeit not with our mouths' full, Mom :innocent: ) , and dance Mariachi style till we all vomit and fall down. At which point it will be time for the pièce de résistance of our cultural tour.
Above, FJR Forum members from the Far East region (even farther than Boston :huh: ) enjoy authentic Mexican food in Lodi during the Sandhill Crane Festival in November.
[SIZE=12pt]3. Bierstadt[/SIZE]
Looking Up the Yosemite Valley, Oil on canvas, 36 x 58 1/2, c. 1863-75, Albert Bierstadt
After we settle up with the owner on the damage from lunch we will head south about 30 minutes to the little-know but excellent Haggin Art Museum in Stockton to see the magnificent paintings of Yosemite Valley by the famous 19thc. Hudson River School painter Albert Bierstadt.
The Haggin Museum opens at 1:30, and costs a very reasonable $5.00. Learn more about it here.
From the museum it will be homeward bound for all....
[SIZE=12pt]Rendezvous, Timing, and Directions[/SIZE]
We will gather around 10:00 AM at Flag City Shell, departing sometime between 10:30 and 11:00. The Shell station is at the corner of highways 5 and 12:
6437 W Banner Rd
Lodi, CA 95242-9125
NOTE: Ride is dependent on weather. No sun no fun. Rain will force a re-scheduling.
[SIZE=12pt]Participants List[/SIZE]
JB, Concord (Hans)
jwhite518 and daugher, Fremont (Jerry and Claire)
Jerry's friend Ben with son, Toby
madmike2, Sacramento (Old Fat Bastard
)Hycles, Dixon (Mike and Terri)
Bluestreek, Marysville (Steve)
Bugnatr, Sacramento
Ranch Hand, Elk Grove (Dave and Nancy)
Puppy Chow (Sam)
Old Michael, Sacramento (Old Michael). If he can get up early enough.
gfran (Gary and Cindy)
Nightshine
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