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Written by Russell Johnson
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"Getting out of Dodge," is a line from the 50s TV Western Gunsmoke in which outlaws were admonished to "get the hell out of" Dodge City Kansas. The Valley of Fire State Park, in Nevada is hardly Kansas, although Dorothy would be quite pleased with its yellow rock roads. The Valley of Fire is the perfect place to go to get the hell out of Las Vegas, as we did during the chaotic Consumer Electronics Show, which attracted some 150 thousand people and completely transformed Sin City. A restaurant manager friend tells us that the nerds don't spend any money on dinners and luxuries, they get hammered on beer and attempt to engage the local professionals, and we don't mean Real Estate Professionals. But Las Vegas is ringed by some spectacular places, such as the Valley of Fire, a Nevada State Park, where my wife and I spent the day without connectivity, meditating upon a total absence of technology. I shot a video.
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Written by Russell Johnson
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All Photos (c)2011 Russell Johnson
Carneros is a wine growing region that straddles the Sonoma AND Napa Valleys and San Francisco Bay. Its coolish climate is primo for Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Syrahs, Merlots, and sparkling wines. We went tasting there last weekend and found the fall colors just as intoxicating as the wines...
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Written by Russell Johnson
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After spending most of my life as either a city dweller or a mountain hermit, I have now opted for the in-between, the idyl of small town life in a tourist destination. I have moved to the middle of a city block. There are houses to the right of me, houses to the left: a retired car dealer, a widow, a forty-something executive couple, a retired diplomat, a few clowns and jokers, notably a gang of 20-somethings that parties every weekend night until someone throws up and guests roar off on their motorcycles. There is a local radio station that mixes small town news with "hey dude" commentary about the 70s drug and rock scene. Recently the local newspaper featured a story about an encounter between a vehicle and a very large sow.
Over the past 20 years or so, Sonoma, California has gained the status of "tourist town."
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Written by Russell Johnson
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iPad/iPod Video
This place makes me happy.
Filoli is a US National Historical Trust site and a California State Historic Landmark. Located south of San Francisco, it is considered one of the finest remaining country estates of the early 20th century and is known for its magnificent but peaceful gardens, with some 500 types of roses and 200 kinds of camelias. While the valleys of Sonoma and Napa are famous for wine tasting, Filoli has apple and pear tastings and offers such civilized activities as flower shows with tea. Mostly, it is a place to lose yourself in beauty.
Filoli is NOT an Italian name. It is an acronym for the motto of its builder, gold magnate William Bowers Bourne. Filoli means "Fight for a just cause. Love your fellow man. Live a good life." He did.
Filoli is open to the public. |
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Written by Russell Johnson
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iPad/iPhone Video
Last week I drove from Las Vegas to Palm Springs passing through the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park. While the desert is gorgeous in color, I see more in the tones of black and white.
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