BIG OUTING TODAY!

Almost a year into all the Covid-19 restrictions, Lou and I decided to take a short road trip to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain. Yes, I know that's quite a name & it certainly isn't close to Sacramento being about an hour's drive north. But it was a fun day and to be honest, getting away to go somewhere other than shopping felt just a little decadent and a bit weird. 

The iconic guitar in front of the entrance to the Hard Rock Casino. I was wondering if this could have been the same guitar that hung over the Sacramento Hard Rock Cafe that closed years ago? Who knows?

The Hard Rock Hotel which is attached to the casino and eateries. There was a line of people checking in for the weekend.

Neither of us are gamblers and didn't put one nickel in a slot machine. Do they even still have nickel slots? But being a couple of old rockers, we've always enjoyed visiting Hard Rock Cafes on our travels around the world. Strolling around looking at all the memorabilia from rock and roll bands and legendary singers has been a favorite pastime of ours for many years. The Hard Rock Casino in Wheatland, California, didn't disappoint.

The late, great Eddie Van Halen's Harley Davidson motorcycle. Can't you just picture him with Valerie Bertinelli on the back cruisin' down the street?

A mural depicting Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and one of the Hawaiian shirts he wore during a performance. I saw them play at the Greek Theater in Berkeley in my teens and didn't appreciate what I was experiencing. 

A couple of dresses worn by a couple of first class diva. That is Diana Ross's gown on the left and one worn by Bette Midler on the right.

One of Eddie Van Halen's guitars on the top and a hat worn by Tom Petty. We saw Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in concert just down the street at the Toyota Amphitheater many years ago. Back then I think it was still the Sleep Train Amphitheater.

Some of the outfits worn by more recent performers. Britney Spears on the left and Gwen Stefani on the right.

We shared our first indoor dining experience in over six months when we decided to live dangerously and eat lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe inside the casino. I have had both of my covid shots and Lou had his first this past week. The tables were spread out and the staff all wore masks so we rolled the dice and said, "What the hell!" (Did you catch my gambling reference?) Both the restaurant and casino were quite busy at midday on a Friday. Gambling is alive and well in California.

As we were seated and ordered our lunch it wasn't too crowded but by the time we left every table was pretty much full.

Waiting patiently for my lunch as the cooks worked behind me. "Love All Serve All" is the Hard Rock motto - good advice for all of us I'd say.

The service was a little slow but I really enjoyed my pulled pork sandwich while Lou managed to eat all of his huge cheeseburger. Just eating out again was such a treat!

We made a short detour off of Highway 65 to visit "Historic Downtown Wheatland" on the way back home. Not a whole lot there but here are a few interesting photos.

Wheatland Smog and Repair was a cute storefront with decorative murals. The block long "downtown" had seen better days but this was the highlight for me.

One of the murals on the above building.

The inside of the above shop. I put my phone flat against the window and snapped this shot. My guess is that this is Wheatland's only museum.

Downtown Wheatland's Front Street. The entire street was one block long.

Outside the "Emporium and Thrift Store". The owner didn't seem too concerned that anything would be stolen.

"Bill's Place" didn't look like it was open any longer. Maybe it would come alive when the sun went down but I'm not betting on it. I'll save the betting for the casino patrons.

DAYS OF WINE AND COVID

Masks, hand sanitizer and wine have been the best way to navigate through this year of 2020.

But before we get to details of this crazy ass year - 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Darrin spent forever working on the witch pattern while Charley carved her first pumpkins with an assist from Gaga. The white ghost was her own creation. The little one was tough.

Face masks are the universal fashion statement of the Year of Covid.

Our travel plans were no match for Covid-19.

Early March trip to Italy - CANCELLED

April trip to Georgia & Alabama - CANCELLED

May - June Carnival Cruise - CANCELLED

Instead of lots of fun trips our life became a never ending ordeal of sheltering in place, washing and sanitizing hands, wearing face coverings and "social distancing". Initially only grocery shopping and medical appointments were allowed. Everything else was closed!

When our Italy trip was cancelled the day of departure, we booked flights to New Mexico the next week before that closed down. 

The Sandia Peak Tram closed two days after we rode it to the top of the mountain.

My two sweeties!

The four of us enjoying the "beautiful view" of Albuquerque from Sandia Peak.

Old Town was more of a ghost town.

This outing turned out to be our last sit down restaurant meal for the next several months.

The following day we hiked in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains just a few blocks from Darrin and Charley's house in Albuquerque.

Remember when "Zoom" was what you said when your car went fast? In the year of 2020 it was how we celebrated birthdays and family "gatherings". Notice that in two of the get togethers Charley's Descendant dolls had to join in the conversation. Darrin set them up with the iPad in the kitchen while they were on the laptop.

Unfortunately, the summer pool parties never happened much to everyone's dismay. The pool (and both of us!) missed the squealing delight of Charley leaping off the side a hundred times. The flamingo and unicorn floaties will have to wait until next year to be inflated again.

Face masks of every size, shape and color are now for sale everywhere. An enterprising woman was selling handmade masks in a Safeway parking lot. Entrepreneurism is alive and well in the U.S.!

Not only are we in the middle of an unprecedented pandemic but we have dealt with weeks of wildfires and smoke in California, national racial unrest AND a president who is a raving lunatic incapable of leading himself out of a paper bag, let alone our country. This shirt pretty well sums it up for me.

In June when Yosemite National Park opened up on a reduced basis, Lou and I managed to snag one of the limited entry passes and made our first overnight trip in months (except New Mexico). It's Lou's favorite place in the world and you certainly can't beat the incredible scenery.

The view from Glacier Point.

Tunnel View, one of my favorites, with El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridal Veil Falls.

Valley View, with the Merced River in the foreground, is another favorite view to take in.

Visiting Charley is "essential travel" to Gaga. As soon as it opened up, I booked flights. I'm pro at it now after seven trips and counting. With the precautions of requiring masks, leaving center seats open and the top of the line air filtration systems, I feel safer in an airplane than I do in a grocery store. Seeing my son and granddaughter is the best medicine!

Of course, in between actual visits, I'm thankful for FaceTime and Messenger. At least it gives you a little visual contact but virtual hugs are not even close to the real thing! Louie and Charley had fun with the goofy face things on Messenger. Charley snapped lots of screen shots of them!

It has certainly been a crazy year! Never in my lifetime has there been anything like this. I hope and pray that 2021 will turn out to be a hell of a lot better than 2020. I'm sure it sounds like a broken record by now, but the one thing we can all do is make sure to GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!

AND DON'T FORGET TO OPEN THAT BOTTLE OF WINE AND ENJOY A GLASS, OR TWO, OR THREE!

My intent was keep this post fairly light with all the crap going on in the world this year but I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we lost Lou's sister, Judy, to this horrible virus this past August. She had a lot of health issues but she was a true fighter up until the very end. Rest in peace, Judy.