CM #39:Goats, Nudist, Apples, & Sonoma
Hi Friends!
Glad you could stop by again and check out this week’s California Mishegoss.
Here are the 6 things we found interesting this week.
Be Well! Stay Safe!
Mark & Patti
“Apple’s, Apple’s Everywhere!”
Fall is my favorite time of year. It's time to drive and pick apples by the bushel fulls and then go home and make apple pie, apple crisp, and anything else apple I can think of.
I did all of this when I lived in New England. Since moving to California, it hasn't been on my radar to do the apple-picking thing until I read this post on SF Gate.
If you're looking for places to pick apples and are either up in northern California or don't mind a little trip, check this article out now.
1. Where to pick apples in the Bay Area and Northern California
by Douglas Zimmerman
The Bay Area was once a major apple-growing region with thousands of acres of apple trees centered around Petaluma and in the North Bay and Watsonville in Santa Cruz County. Sonoma County once had 15,000 acres of apple orchards, famous for its Gravenstein variety. In the early 20th century, Watsonville was known as “Apple City” and had more than 14,000 acres of apple trees. However, both regions turned toward more lucrative crops, like grapes in Sonoma and berries in Watsonville, and the number of acres dedicated to apples dwindled. Only a few thousand acres of apple trees remain in the region.
“Clam Chowder!!!”
I enjoy a great bowl of clam chowder, except I'm particular to Manhattan chowder. The New England style is preferred here on the West Coast, especially in California.
There's a big difference between the two: the Manhattan style is tomato-based, while the New England style is cream-based.
Now let me throw in a third style that I don't think many have heard of, and it comes from the state I went to school in, worked in, and hung out in, the State of Rhodes Island. Rhode Island is proud to have its own chowder that is clam juice-based. That's correct; it has a clear-based style and is very clammy but very good.
The following post is an ad for the clam chowder festival at Pismo Beach. It happens in October, the 21st and 22nd, and for one, I am looking forward to showing up. Even though I'm sure it will be mostly New England style, I'm looking forward to enjoying some clam Zuppa at Wooly's. I've written about Wooly's before and their clam Zuppa here.
2. When is the 77th annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival?
by John Houghton
The 77th annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival is set to start in October.
The Clam Festival which runs from Oct. 21 through Oct. 22 is a free event that includes live music, local vendors, and food trucks, and a kids zone that includes bounce houses and inflatables.
“The Best & Safest Beach Community in Southern California?”
I've heard of Carpinteria, but have never been there to check out the beaches. I mostly get it confused with Capitola, not for scenery, but due to the name. I can't remember Capitola most of the time, but I can remember Carpenteria, which is strange since I've never been there.
Now, though, I read that it was rated one of the best and safest beach communities in Southern California.
If you've been there, we would enjoy hearing your take on Carpemnteira as a beach community since there are so many beach communities in and around Southern California.
3. This is the ‘best beach town’ in Southern California, according to travel site
by Travis Schlepp
La Carpinteria translates to “The Carpenter Shop” and was first used by the soldiers of the Gaspar de Portola Exhibition in 1769, according to the city’s website. Carpinteria is a major agriculture hub on the coast, known for its flowers, avocados and (recently) cannabis.
“Lion Statues?”
On one of my many cross-country trips from New York to California on scenic Highway 66, I went through Amboy, California.
I stopped in town once to have food and drink before continuing. While there, I caught sight of these huge Chinese Lion statues there and always wondered what was up with them.
Now, Atlas Oscura solves that puzzle for me in this article.
4. Guardian Lions of Route 66
Often called “foo dogs” in the west, Chinese guardian lions are most notably gendered by the tokens they hold. The male (symbolizing yang) holds an embroidered ball, representing a building or other space under his protection. The female (symbolizing yin) shelters a cub, representing nurturance and protection of the souls within a space. In this case, it seems the pair is tasked with keeping watch over the entire Mojave Desert and all who pass through.
“Retire, Grow Up, and Raise a Family in the Nude?”
When I lived back east, both Massachusetts and Rhode Island had nude beaches. If I remember correctly, they were named Moonstone Beach, but I'm not entirely 100 percent sure. I am sure they were nude beaches since I was a college freshman; I went to check them out with some hockey buddies.
They are still going strong, but not as strong as this 80-acre nudist camp in Castro Valley, California.
I'll leave it to the reporter from the SF Gate Sam Mauhay-Moore, to tell you more.
5. The hidden Bay Area nudist club where people grow up, raise families and retire
by Sam Maugham-Moore
Nestled in the oak, bay and madrone-laden forests of the East Bay hills, the club feels suspended in time, a sun-filled respite from the bustle of nearby cities. Dozens of lounge chairs adorn the lawn, ready for anyone in search of that full-body vitamin D fix. There’s a swimming pool, a hot tub, a putting green, a camping area and an indoor stage where local bands and musicians perform weekly. There are also 3 miles of clothing-optional hiking trails that wind through the hills.
Is it the most “Walkable” city in California?
When I traveled a great deal years ago, I always made it a point to walk around the city I was in.
I've walked through some great cities over the years, and I've found some to be better than the last one and, in some cases, worse.
If I had to pick one right now, it would be my hometown of Boston, especially the North End, where I grew up. Next would be Providence, Rhode Island, on the Eat Side, and finally, New York—no part of New York in particular.
Now, I read about Sonoma and wonder since I've walked some great cities in California since I moved here why haven’t I walked here? So Patti and I may be off to Sonoma for a walkabout.
6. Sonoma among the most ‘walkable’ cities in California, says Locale Magazine
by Charlie Wiltsee, The Press Democrat
Sonoma was selected for its easily accessible restaurants, shops, galleries and tasting rooms that are all within walking distance downtown. Some businesses that were named include the hotels Sonoma Bungalowsand Sonoma Hotel, Three Sticks Wines and Sojurn Cellars wineries and The Girl and the Fig restaurant.