SRKSEP Activities this Last Week

Posted by Dave Lorenzen on Aug 15, 2016
 

SRKSEP Activities this Last Week

 

Tuesday began with a 9:00 meeting at Nagasawa Park, where drivers Rich Randolph, Deb Francis and Ralph Harryman packed everyone up and headed out to Armstrong Woods in Guerneville.

Unusually clear summer morning weather provided for a pristinely clear visit. Rich Randolph provided a wonderful interpretation for our team about the ancient grove of Redwoods. Walking in Armstrong Woods they “felt the energy of nature”! After a walking tour of the Wood’s, it was off to The Charles Schultz Snoopy Museum.

Appropriate to it being an election year, the exhibit at the Museum was “Mr. Schultz Goes to Washington” where our team had a chance to “Vote” for their favorite Peanuts character for President!

Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Franklin, Pigpen, or Snoopy for President! After the Museum it was off to have lunch at “The Warm Puppy” at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, one of the favorite regular hang outs of “Sparky”.

It wouldn’t be a visit to “Snoopy’s Home Ice” without a stop at Snoopy’s Gallery and Gift Shop. They had fun at Snoopy’s Museum and got great gifts for family and friends!

Tuesday morning started with a little creativity. Chaperone from SRKSEP 2009, Maggie London hosted the team in a Ceramics class, creating some personal souvenirs from their trip to Santa Rosa. Then it was off with drivers Rich Randolph, Frank Cercone, Don Floriani and Steve Amend to Sonoma and lunch at a local favorite, Mary's Pizza.
After lunch is was on to Jack London State Park to visit the Glen Ellen Home of Jack London, and his legendary Wolf House ruins, destroyed by fire in 1913, in the Sonoma Valley, also known as the Valley of the Moon.
Then it was on to “Official Business”, where at the Santa Rosa City Council, the entire SRKSEP Team was first on the agenda to receive special attention and the presentation of individual Certificates of Recognition from the Mayor of Santa Rosa, John Sawyer.

Friday morning, and it was meeting at Nagasawa Park to join drivers Shauna Lorenen, Steve Zwick and Viva McKenzy and head to San Francisco!

First stop, Fishermans Wharf, for a little shopping, before stopping at “In-N-Out” for truly American Burgers, Fries and Milkshakes.

Once everyone had their fill of Burgers and Fries, it was off to Pier 43 ½ and the Red and White Fleet for a 2 hour Bay Cruise, where they saw all of San Francisco’s spectacular waterfront in one breathtaking cruise, from the Golden Gate Bridge at the edge of the Pacific Ocean all the way to the Bay Bridge in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district.

Along the way, discovering the city’s rich history and world-renowned landmarks. Best part of the cruise was “traveling under the Golden Gate Bridge!” And very un-San Francisco like, it was warm!

After the cruise it was shopping and sightseeing at world famous Pier 39!

PIER 39 is a 45-acre waterfront complex that is a gathering place for millions of San Francisco locals and visitors. In addition to its 14 full-service restaurants, 90+ shops and popular attractions, PIER 39 is home to a 5-acre waterfront park and a 300-berth marina. PIER 39 is known for its spectacular views of San Francisco Bay including the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge and Alcatraz, as well as the world famous California sea lions hauled out on K-Dock. “Shopping was lots of fun” (isn’t it always!).

Dinner was served at Pier Market, where a variety of cuisines were enjoyed …..  Seafood Chowders, Teriyaki Salmon, Crab Louis…….even Fish and Chips!

Lots of fun filled events before the return to families in Santa Rosa by 8 pm.

On the weekend, our travelers enjoyed a number of different adventures with their host families. Some of the known events included visiting Sonoma County Wineries, Ice Skating at Snoopy’s Home Ice, and Bowling at Double Decker Lanes!

Naoya spent Saturday with Dave and Shauna Lorenzen visiting Sonoma County Wineries at Kunde Estate Winery and at Korbel California Champagne Cellars.

 

At Kunde we visited their aging caves and enjoyed come of their current vintages of estate wines. After a day of wine tasting it was dinner at home and then enjoying the movie “Across the Universe” in the outdoor theater, just like an American Drive-In Theater.

Sunday was a much bigger adventure with a trip to Bodega Bay for a fresh seafood lunch, before traveling to Sonoma Canopy Tours at Alliance Redwoods for an adventure on the Zip Lines. A zipline lets the magic of gravity do all the work. Fitted with a specially-designed harness, we reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour on the fastest zips. Naoya was a natural on the gravity defying zip lines!

One of the wonderful experiences is sharing meals with our new family members. Many of the team members take part of the cooking duties by preparing a favorite home cooked meal. Sunday's dinner was a traditional Japanese meal prepared by Nayoa, stickey rice, Japanese Pork Stew and wonderful Miso Soup. An old family recipe!

Tomorrow, it is off to Africa (or at least the Sonoma County version at Safari West)!

 
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