Election Day !

A very important day

photo taken in the gift shop of  a fabric wall mural

Feeling very fortunate to have the opportunity to review a lifetime of fabulous cartoons and animation of the famous Charlie Brown/Snoopy artist at a museum dedicated to Charles Schulz, right here in Santa Rosa.

Charles Schulz (born November 26, 1922 - February 12, 2000), nicknamed Sparky, was an American cartoonist whose comic strip Peanuts was one of the most influential and popular in the history of cartoons.     

Approximately 1958 Schulz and family moved to Sebasatpol, California where he built his first studio. ... 1969 moved to Santa Rosa where he lived and worked until he passed away in 2000.

After being discharged from the Army in 1945, Schulz returned to Minneapolis and worked for a comic magazine (Timeless Topix).  His comic career began . . . .

Over nearly 50 years that Peanuts  was published, Schulz drew more than 18,000 strips, plus merchandise and product endorsements; Schulz earning an estimated $30-$40 million annually.

During the life of the strip (Peanuts)  Schulz took only one vacation, a five-week break in late 1997 to celebrate his birthday. ... reruns of the strip ran during his vacation, the only time reruns occurred while Schulz was alive.

There is sooooo . . . .. .  much more to this story.   He was a voracious reader and frequently name dropped the rich and famous, people in the news; people including Sam Snead, Billy Jean King, Peggy Fleming, Governors, actors and actresses ... the world lost a great talent.

Halloween in Petaluma

Petaluma - just south of Santa Rosa, population of approx 58,000  pioneered by the Spanish in 1776.   The area was part of a 66,000 acre Mexican land grant of 1834.  Gold was discovered in 1849 and the position of Petaluma on the Petaluna River was the heart of fertile farmland.  At one point, Petaluma was known as the "Egg Capital of the World."  (nicknamed "Chickaluma").

Historic buildings are abundant in this town and Petaluma has been the scene of numerous movies set in the 40's through 60s.

Mystic Theatre

Just one of many 'manor-style' homes

Catholic Church

Have had a fabulous time with the local Pickelball group - will miss you all!   

Gloria - you're amazing (at 80 yrs) and Kathy & Ken - thank you for always being there and for opening the door to a great group.

Have had some mornings of fog but of late (only here two weeks), sun, sun and sun & about 80 F (25C).

Bennet Valley Golf Course

Marc 'discovered' this Golf Course after being here about a week & after a bit too much pickleball for his tennis elbow  ----- only about ten minute drive away, extremely reasonable ($15.00) and although not alot of 'hills' or water challenges, a challenging, narrow course with trees, trees, trees (Native oaks, Redwoods, and Pines) and Matanzas Creek meandering through.

Opened in 1969, a Par 72/6500 yard course and very well maintained.   Marc says it has been 'soggy' just like 'home.'   Due to a one night rain storm.   Just around the corner I can take the dogs to play on 'real' grass (haven't got anything near the fairgrounds with grass).

There is a field across from the Fairgrounds RV Park where I take the dogs ---- play around trees when hot and sunny but out in the field, we play around the poles put in every thirty feet (for putting up electrical fences for animals).   Lately, the field has been a site for security hired staff to monitor the parking lot for hired workers while the local nurses' are striking at the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.  Staff are bused in vans from this parking lot to the hospital (approximately 2 miles).

Rode the Joe Rodota Trail which runs between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol (approx 8.5 miles each way).   Built along land that was once the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railway.  Paved, for walking, cycling and roller skating.    On the south end of town we found alot of homeless people nestled among the trees.  The route includes beautiful views of vineyards and agricultural lands --- lots of wild turkeys.

Sebastopol had a great farmer's market going on and the "Black Sheep Brass Band" concert.  Sebastopol has a large population of hippies - evident at the market, the clothing stores and ambiance.  

Mural which we almost missed, cycling by

Calvary Catholic Cemetery

Established in 1888 for the St. Rose Parish.    The chapel was dedicated on Memorial Day 1965.   The original split tower, symbolizes the joyous release of its earthbound corruptible flesh into the presence of the Risen Lord (represented by the 19-foot gold leaf cross on the 65-foot high tower).    

Not Catholic but could not help noticing this incredible chapel when driving to the golf course --- absolutely gorgeous.

This wall is all tiny tiles and names are engraved as memorials.  

The entire site appears taken but isn't, with mausoleums, upright family monuments, an entire field dedicated to babies and veteran's markers, and a priest section.  17 acres were purchased in 2011 for further development.

Fish Taco Night

Our last evening in Santa Rosa  at 1350 Bennett Valley Rd - Fairgrounds RV

.... two weeks gone by already!!!!