SONORA, CALIFORNIA

From my journal dated December 17-19, 2004, I wrote:



Left: Lavender Hill; Middle Photo: Sonora Drugs; Right: House across Bradford Inn

"Husband and I came here last Friday evening to spend our weekend up in the mountains. We were here until Sunday (December 17 to 19, 2004). In the pictures above are the Lavender Hill and the town of Sonora. The Inn is 103 years old and was just converted two years ago from residential to business area."

"As for the town of Sonora it is famous for its "gold rush" in the mid 1800s. The town is a reminiscent of the "cowboy years" where men hunt for gold, used rifles to assert their bravery and flirted with women who frequented the bar for beer and whiskey. While in town and gazing at those beautiful old buildings along main street, my mind reeled back to my childhood years of watching "Bonanza" It was like going back to time!"

"On our first night, we went to the town theater and watched a theater production of "Candles." It was a simple love story between the landlady and her tenant. She was a witch and the man was mortal. In the end when she fell in love, shed real tears and that took off all her power as a witch. Ultimately, all was given up for love and they lived happily ever after."

"While at the theater, husband and I were seated at the balcony since it was a full house. It was fine, small and cozy but my complain was the seat, it was not comfortable! Well, I should not expected a lot since it was built in the 1800s so I just kept mum. Ha-ha. After the show, we went straight to our suite and slept."

"We just felt so exhausted as earlier at five in the evening, we discovered that the inn had a lot of restrictions for their guests (which sounded odd to us). These included the following:

1. We were not allowed to take red wine into our room;
2. Not permitted to use massage oil or lotion as they stain the bed;
3. Advised to put the soda and other trash in the bin;
4. Place towels on the floor;
5. Watch TV and play the stereo with soft volume so as not to disturb the other guests and the innkeeper below;
6. Be at breakfast at 8.45 AM. Come down late and no food would be served.
7. Candles are not allowed inside the room.

"Well, we didn't really lived up to their expectations and we ate inside our room and had a bottle of Sauvignon wine. We felt triumphant as well because we lighted the scented candle we brought. The next day, Saturday, we made it for breakfast! The presentation was good but the food was not anything to die for. We still think the Bradford Inn was special! After breakfast, I went back upstairs and went to bed. I fell asleep with the Time magazine resting on my tummy. I was very tired days before so I took advantage of the time sleeping while on a break in Sonora. Meanwhile, husband proceeded to meet client while I rested."



L to R: St. Andrew's Church; Stained window at St. Andrew's; Sonora's Municipal Hall

"Before lunch time came, husband called up on my cell phone and asked if there was anything I wanted him to purchase for me like chocolates or flowers? I said to get them all! He came back with heaves of stuff for us to feast on, especially that delicious pork spare rib! We had lunch and drank wine in our room. The old farts never knew we did what we were told not do. In addition, husband bought another bottle of wine aside from the one we had the night before. The next hours were tiring. We two felt lazy to go out anymore to eat at some fancy restaurant so we stayed in our suite, ate mostly the food we brought from home and read some magazines. As of ten in the morning, we were ready to pack our stuff and headed for home but before we did, we went around town. Before we knew it, we were leaving Sonora at around 3 PM just in time to take us home in Ripon by 5 PM.Prior to this, we had a late lunch in Sonora in a nice Mexican restaurant. "Coming home, we stayed for a short while then headed for church in Manteca. We were finally (at long last) home at 8.20 PM, starved and ready to eat. An hour later, we had pasta, rice and veggies. After a while, I told husband to rest a bit then go to sleep. I followed two hours later.This afternoon, I think of how much we had gone through the week that passed and now we look to the Christmas time we will celebrate this Saturday as a couple. Our first time! Cheers!"