I am typically a planner. I like to know what I am doing and when I am doing it. But, every once in a while, I like being a little bit spontaneous. Last week I had my chance.
The parents of a law school friend of mine live just north of Sacramento. My friend decided to come up for a few days to visit and take care of some other things. I was invited up for a visit with him and his family. Having not seen my friend since June, I jumped at the opportunity! With only a couple days notice I had to rearrange a couple of things, but decided to drive up on Wednesday afternoon and back either Thursday night or early Friday morning.
I left Wednesday around 2, made fairly good time but then hit a stretch of road that had 3 accidents. I ended up getting to the house just before 5. Having never been to this particular house, I was given the grand tour. It was absolutely gorgeous and the backyard was to die for!
That might we went to a restaurant called Land Ocean. The atmosphere was good and the décor was interesting. I got the filet with mashed potatoes, my friend got the ribs with fries, and his mom got the NY Strip with au gratin potatoes. I also ordered a glass of Kung Fu Girl Riesling which was delicious, my friend got a local pale ale, and his mom got a glass of Carmel Road Pinot Noir. Everything was amazing: the food, the drinks, and of course the company! After a wonderful dinner we watched a movie at the house and called it a night.
The next day my friend’s mom made a delicious scramble for breakfast. We got out some mixed berries and toasted sandwich thins. Breakfast was great. Then my friend and I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon in the backyard catching up. We started with our feet in the pool, and then moved into the shade of the patio as the temperature rose. That evening we went to Live on the Boulevard, which is a summer concert series in Folsom.
We went to Town Center and got a table at Bistro 33. We got appetizers (the crab/artichoke dip and the prosciutto wrapped prawns) and drinks (beers for my friend, his mom, and his stepdad, and a glass of wine for me). After munching and sipping for a while we each ordered a meal. I got Pan Roasted Chicken, my friend got the Lasagna, his stepdad got the Meatloaf, and his mom got the Margarita Flatbread. I think we all thought the entrées were just ok. By then, the band (Pure Ecstasy – Motown) had started up and we were bopping our heads and singing along to the songs.
After a few more rounds of drinks we ordered dessert: 2 bags o’ doughnuts. They were doughnuts covered in powdered sugar and served with 3 dipping sauces (honey butter, chocolate, and a strawberry compote). I thought the doughnuts were delicious by themselves, no dipping sauce needed! We stayed until after the band was done playing, just telling stories and laughing. It was a beautiful night with great company.
I decided to stay the night because I was tired, it was dark and I was not quite ready to go home yet … I was having too much fun! So we all hung out on the patio and watched another movie. I ended up getting up around 5:30 the next morning to leave by 6. My friend and his mom both got up to say goodbye before I left. It was a very quick trip but so much fun! (I wish I had more pictures to share, but I forgot my camera. I guess that is a hazard of being spontaneous ...)
Making spontaneous trips takes gumption!
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