Off to the Mall

Rolling around on our third year anniversary up in the Bay Area, we went to visit one of our favorite spots as soon as we could once the Stay at Home order was lifted. The Blackhawk Plaza Fountains.  Greg came up North a month earlier than Natalie and I, while we packed up our life in SoCal. Less than a week after we arrived, Natalie and I found these beautiful ponds after driving up to Mount Diablo. This is where we stopped for drinks on our way back down.

We made it about half way up the mountain before realizing we were almost out of gas, so we stopped for photos then turned back. The plan has always been to go back and finish our trip up to the top of the mountain, Though that trip has not occurred, we have visited the ducks and geese many times at Blackhawk. 

We have come out many times for the clam chowder made at Draeger's Market. The Chemistry Ice Cream Parlor, which had opened shortly before this pandemic began, appears to have closed up permanently. All their signs are now gone. I will surely miss their green and thai ice creams. Some favorites from their free Friday night concerts. Another pre-pandemic pleasure.

Out duck feeding benches were removed about a year ago to help people 'social distance'. They have still not been replaced. I miss the time we spent relaxed while the ducks and geese swarmed around our feet begging for some of the duck food we bought at Draeger's just to feed them. Hopefully, it is only a few more months until things get back to normal.

The Blackhawk Museum at the south end of the mall is closed, along with the Cinema (and all of the other Cinemas in the area). It has always been pretty quiet, not counting concert nights. There are people here and there , but social distancing is not an issue. Still, the majority of the people that were enjoying the sunshiny day in the Plaza with us, were wearing masks. 

Map of the Mall

On the way home, I noticed the trees were beginning to bloom. The joys of living in California near the Bay. These photos were taken on January 31st, and a couple of blocks away, the streets are lined with flowering trees. Minnesota has below zero temperatures right now. And, the East Coast, like Long Island, NY is in the midst of a major snow storm. 

Here we are listening to the birds twitterpating and watching the prairie dogs scampering up and down the hills of Rancho Park San Ramon. Another of my favorite pandemic relief spots. Okay regular relief spots, as well. 

Four square of us at Blackhawk Plaza

On our way home, we stopped at the local Safeway for the cheddar brats to barbeque on the grill. As the day cooled down into the upper forties, we grilled dinner as the dusk turned to dark. With our RV fireplace warming up the inside, the heat from the grill throws out just enough warmth to make it comfortable outside.

All in all, we didn't travel far, but it was still a nice way to break quarantine. With most of the year still ahead, who know where we will go next. North, South East West? Time to shake the dust of this 'Rona off and get our move on. Okay, maybe after a few more months...