Runaway Weekend Reno

We try to make it to Reno as much as we can because we have family members we love to see. Normally we go in the warmer months because we don't like to drive in the snow, but this time we decided to do a winter trip and take the Amtrak California Zephyr. The train originates in Emeryville Ca. and rolls all the way to Chicago IL.


Emeryville Amtrak Station

We arrived in Emeryville a half hour before our 9:50 a.m. departure so we could check the big bag we shared. I highly recommend that you check the heavy stuff unless you, unlike us, pack light. I saw a number of people struggling on and off the train with huge trunk like suitcases. We carried backpacks with items we thought needed during the ride. In retrospect I would have left behind the big camera I call "bazooka" and all it's accessories. I ended up using my trusty pocket camera nicknamed "Stealth". It's not easy shooting photos from the train while dragging large camera equipment past riders who are roaming up the aisles. Not wanting to clobber anyone I chose to use Stealth. The train has clean restrooms, a dining car, helpful conductors and a snack bar with adult beverages. People near us had packed lunches which seems like a great idea for next trip. One man headed to Omaha, NE was provisioned for the entire trip using a foldaway Trader Joes's soft cooler.

The weather on the way up was foggy, gray, rainy and snowy. It made the scene outside seem monochromatic. The large pine trees drooped over from the weight of the snow and appeared as ghostly apparitions beside the tracks.

Spooky!
We arrived about twenty minutes earlier than the 4:46 p.m. planned time and were met by my brother who shuttled us to the airport to pick up our rental car. We booked our trip via Orbitz.com (I would link to them but it remembers me and goes directly to my account) and got a package: The Atlantis Casino Hotel and Spa luxury tower with free wireless and an excellent daily breakfast buffet included plus a Budget rental car all for about $70 a day. Full disclosure demands that I say this was a runaway weekday. Prices are much cheaper during the week. OK, I also admit to upgrading the car for $10 a day to a manly Dodge Charger that looked like an undercover police vehicle.

Our stay at the Atlantis was wonderful. It is clear that they want you to have a great time and have made the effort to provide amenities that I would not expect from a casino hotel. The rooms were large and comfortable with a big flat screen T.V. Our favorite thing was the huge indoor pool where we enjoyed some off season swimming.

The pool

On our first night we splurged and dined in the newly opened Atlantis Steakhouse. We enjoyed some old school style tableside service when April ordered shrimp scampi and I the prime rib.

Flame on and smell the garlic

We visited with family who fed and entertained us graciously. Mom mentioned wanting to check out a new mall and see Scheels, a sporting goods store on steroids. The place is so big they can house a Ferris wheel and a mountain of stuffed wild animals inside!

Scheels

Time flew as it does on vacation. On our last afternoon April had to touch base with work and I wanted to check out the local job market. After that we threw some money into slots and got enough ahead to partially subsidize a farewell dinner at the Bistro Napa ,also at the Atlantis. It was so good!

We returned our car and headed for the Amtrak station. The train arrived right on time and we headed home. This time the weather was better and I grabbed a shot of Donner Lake below us.

Donner Lake

BJ's Restaurant - Brewhouse

One of the benefits of unemployment is being able to enjoy lunch whenever I want. I decided it would be fun to take April out to lunch on a budget. We decided to try one of the new eateries at the local mall that has been under construction. It was just before 11:30 when we selected BJ's Brewhouse as our designation. Like most restaurants in malls, it is part of a chain. I was determined to have an open mind and judge it on its merits. As we entered, I was struck with how big the space was. A platoon of uniformed young faces waited for customers. I asked the host if they ever filled the place. She said yes, it was early, the lunch crowd would arrive soon and they were hugely busy at night. I honestly thought that was optimistic corporate response. But sure enough, as our lunch progressed the place jammed and on a subsequent visit, in the evening, there was a wait for tables. Hurray for them! Maybe the economy is getting better.




The bar stands like an altar in the middle of the restaurant and of course, this being a brew pub, there are lots of beer choices. I had to drive and April had to return to work so we stuck with the wonderful house crafted root beer. There are several menus with lots of choices, almost too many for me. We both had lunch specials. I the wedge salad and half grilled chicken club special. April had the unlimited soup and salad, choosing the Caesar salad and Tuscan tomato soup. I did not realize that my meal came with highly addictive shoestring fries. The portion was so large, I ended up saving the half sandwich for dinner. April was very happy with her choice and did not need to ask for another portion. The food was good and both our meals, including drinks came in under twenty dollars before tip. The service was attentive and the food arrived fast. All in all a good experience. One caution: Do not expect to have an intimate conversation in the evening. The celebratory voices ricochet off all the hard surfaces, but the beer is good and the wine is too. Check them out on your next shopping trip.

Unlimited Tuscan Tomato soup and Casesar salad.

Grilled chicken club and the wedge salad

SAN RAFAEL
5800 Northgate Mall Ste 159

McEvoy Ranch

I've been a big fan of McEvoy Olive Oil for a some time. I used to drive by the ranch everyday when I worked in Sonoma County. The view from the road is beautiful and I secretly wanted to go in and take a peek. Well silly me, I checked the web site and found that they were having an open house on December 6. We made reservations and arrived with great expectation. My first impression was different than I had predicted. I was expecting pick up trucks and work boots but found high end vehicles and designer logos. I know a lot of hard manual labor goes on here but those representing today were from the marketing side of the equation. I don't mean this in a negative way. I've long since replaced my vision of nearby wineries from an old Italian man selling jug wines from his basement, to a Tuscan inspired villa with $50 vintages. My romantic image is just a little more rustic than some.

We wandered the magnificent grounds and tried some samples. The olive trees have such a unique gray green color that match the California winter palate.

McEvoy Olives

After our self guided tour we wandered back to the sales room to purchase oil. There in the back there was a glass wall to view the high tech looking stainless steel equipment.


I then spotted the stone olive press, opened the door and was amazed at the aroma from the olives being crushed. Talk about a connection to the earth, this was it! The peppery, sweet, earthy essence of the olive had captured me.

McEvoy Olive Oil is what I call a finishing oil. It is exquisite and relatively expensive, so I add it sparingly as you would truffle or caviar. I've used it to drizzle over a grilled T-bone steak just before serving. Most recently I added it to my breakfast of a Redwood Bagel with cream cheese, capers and tomato. Decadent!