Travel Diary

I set the alarm for 7:30 AM, but of course I snoozed until eight. This was mainly because I had decided to drive into the airport and park there. I was gonna take the train, but then I found out that there was construction and buses were being used between two large sections of the track and I really wasn't eager to be doing something like that. Once I get on the train, I want to stay on the train until I reach the airport. After factoring the Uber cost it was only about $25 more just to drive in and park instead of taking both the train and Uber. It was worth it for the convenience.

The parking lot (Park N Fly) had spaces, which isn't always a guarantee these days. I relaxed a bit in the car and then walked into the airport. Security was extremely fast at checkpoint six which has become the norm. I almost never wait for more than one or two people at the most. I'm sure this is going to change but for now I'm enjoying it.

No upgrade for me. We departed on time and soon landed in San Jose. Then I was quickly picked up by Tenaya and we got on the road to head north. We didn't know how long it would take, but there wasn't any time to lose. In the Richmond area we picked up Jerry and then took a long drive up the State. I'm still not sure where exactly it was, but it was east of the Napa Valley and reached through many, many long and winding roads with occasional wineries sprinkled about.

We finally got to Langtry Winery, which was really nice—just out in the middle of nowhere. They did have a great view of a reservoir and the land around them as they were up on the hill.

The client was a couple having their wedding rehearsal dinner and they wanted some entertainment so that's where we stepped in. We were doing “Murder by Merlot,” a show. I've done for over 20 years so I know quite well. We also had gotten quite a lot of tidbits about different members of the audience which really helped. They always perk up when we mention them by name.

Overall, the show went really well. For dinner we had been permitted to order some Thai food, but I gave my dish away to Tenaya since she was driving. And I wasn't that hungry. During the prize session, my 3D printed wine award was given to them, and I surprised even the cast with a special 3D print of the engaged couple. Turned out quite nice, and the last one I can print for the time being as I cancelled my account to avoid another $20 charge.

After the show, it was a couple more hours driving south to drop off Jerry and then Tenaya drop me off at a best Western in Concord California. The location was a little sketchy, but nothing too bad. They don't even open the lobby that late, but you talk to someone through a thick (probably bulletproof) glass partition. But I got checked in and went to my room.

The room was quite nice for the price, very large and had a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. I almost wish I had been staying longer because it was a decent room, but I was only going to fall asleep and leave the next morning which I did.