#2 - December 1st, 2004

Another fun-filled week in the Valley started off with an afternoon spent in the highlands above Yorkville observing the latest match-up in that classic battle that has been played out for centuries - man and dog versus a flock of sheep. On this occasion the odds clearly favored the dogs, with their strong line-up of seven eager yet inexperienced border collies against a very young line-up of skittish ewe lambs. However, I can assure you that our woolen friends are not as stupid as they are so often depicted and in the early stages of the contest they went into a commanding lead as they thundered in the opposite direction to the corral where they were supposed to be…..Nevertheless, three dogs were constantly on the 'attack' and eventually the sheeps' defenses were broken down. After some exciting exchanges around the pens, the dogs greater fitness and determination proved too much for the tiring lambs and after an hour or so all were in the corral grazing on some very luscious green grass. The dogs were happy to cool off in the brook and the shepherd was content with his team's work, rewarding himself with a couple of cans of Guinness - as you do…..
Whilst down at that end of the valley I came across County Trapper Gary Johnson, busy checking on traps and fence lines in his constant battle against the ever-encroaching coyotes and wild hogs…and perhaps the occasional mountain lion. It's always a pleasure to talk with Gary who not only loves his job but is also very good at it. Furthermore he is always very willing to educate others on the various 'wildlife' issues that he comes up against every day. He informed me that the Yorkville area continues to suffer badly from pasture damage caused by the pigs guzzling the grass roots and that, when very hungry, these large beasts can easily kill and eat sheep. He clearly admires the mountain lion and it's ability to kill other beasts efficiently and quickly when hungry. He noted that if a sheep has been somewhat eaten by turkey vultures (not me !) then a mountain lion will not be interested in eating the remainder and will move on to a fresh kill. - "when you're that good, you can be that fussy" Gary explained…..
The next day I stopped by one of my favorite local businesses, Boontberry, and enjoyed a delicious piece of chicken from their always excellent deli counter. The quality of all their produce never fails to amaze and the service is there to match. On this occasion it was the very friendly Clare who assisted me and there are very few places around where that much sought-after blend of top quality product along with pleasant and efficient service is so abundant…..
On Thanksgiving Eve I decided to head for the coast and meander around the town of Mendocino. The drive was very enjoyable with courteous drivers all along Highway 128 - not always the case as I've mentioned before. I flew around the town and found it to be quite busy but as always a pleasant experience. I had to check in at one of my favorite bars, Dick's, for a quick drink and enjoyed a splendid pint of Poleeko Gold Pale Ale from our very own A.V. Brewery. Unlike every other 'watering hole' in the town, which are often full of tourists and certainly fix their prices accordingly, Dick's is a wonderful, old, classic locals' bar with decent prices and many photographs on the wall depicting the town's fascinating history, not to mention the lovely barmaid with the great smile ! …..
The weather was changing and rain was on its way so I headed back to the valley and after stopping at my nest for a fine surf'n'turf feast of rib-eye steak and beautiful fresh salmon obtained from Lemons Market in Philo, I made my way into town where a wonderful evening was spent at The Boonville Lodge in the company of all kinds of Valley people. Old-timers, logging guys, carpenters, brewery employees, winery folks, city guys and gals now living here, a couple of the high school coaches, and even an off-duty sheriff, all added to the flavor of the evening. Obviously there is a very eclectic mix of people in the Valley and to see this melting pot of people all enjoying themselves with each other was very satisfying indeed…as was the excellent vodka and grapefruit…..
Talking of eating, which I obviously like to do, having devoured a leg of lamb on Thanksgiving day I had missed my annual munching of a turkey sandwich. However, a day or so after the big feast I went to Lauren's restaurant in Boonville and sure enough there was a hot turkey sandwich on the menu. Served with mashed potatoes and gravy with fresh cranberry sauce and accompanied by a bottle of Pinot noir from Husch Vineyards it was delicious and I only wish I had room for more….Good thinking by Lauren - not everyone had done the Turkey 'thing' on Thanksgiving and it was a wise move proving once again that she knows how to run a restaurant…..
Having spent a number of years in the bar/restaurant business myself I do like to mention this topic. So, still on the matter of food, I have to once more mention the splendid efforts being made by the Buckhorn Saloon for their Monday Night Football presentation. This past week, for their free bar snacks, they offered tasty potato skins with bacon and melted cheese, wonderfully fresh and spicy nachos, and battered artichoke hearts. In the kitchen Pillar Duran produces some very good bar food and this week she served up an excellent country fried steak and mashed potato on the specials menu at $8.95. Monday evenings there are picking up and hopefully more locals will respond and perhaps they will be surprised at how many people they know if they swing by…..
Finally I have to report another example of weirdness on highway 128. This time I was driving north out of Cloverdale behind a white pick-up which gradually slowed down until a couple of miles out of town it was going at a pedestrian 20 mph. Obviously I was close behind at that point but the driver seemed in a world of his own and made no attempt to pull over. I assumed the truck would use one of the many turnouts but no. After a couple of more miles I was getting impatient I admit to being immediately behind the truck when the driver put his arm out of the window and gave me the finger. What had I done ? I simply wished to travel at about 45 mph and he didn't. What's the problem ? Well he continued to gesture at me and I slowed a little and decided to wait until passing was possible. There is little opportunity at that end of 128 however and finally at the 48 mile marker, with me still close behind, he pulled in to a turnout to let me pass. I was very curious about his reasoning for such strange and aggressive behavior so I also pulled in just in front of him, stepped out of my car and walked towards the truck. Immediately a man in his early sixties with a long bushy beard, some sort of sombrero-style hat, and overalls stepped out of the truck and approached me. I said, "Why wouldn't you pull over…and why give me the finger ?" He was in no mood to discuss anything and went into a rant about how he always pulled into this particular turnout, not any other, and if I didn't like it then I'd better watch out or in future he'd shove my truck up my ass ! I calmly replied that he would not be performing that sort of maneuver on me and that he should stop behaving like a moron. This inflamed him even more but as I was staring right at him he seemed to realize that Turkey Vulture was not going to back down to his attempted intimidation. He walked back to his truck muttering to himself but then, as I also returned to my truck and was about to get in, he screamed, "I am a trained killer from Vietnam !"…and he reached inside his overalls and pulled out the dog tags wrapped around his neck. "You see these ?…You'd better watch out for me on this road, m*ther f*cker", 'cos I'm driving it all the time and I can do a lot of damage to you !". I was amazed at this outburst but didn't really wish to check his killer instincts out at this point so I firmly stated, "Hey, the war is over, move on !" (easy for me to say) and suggested that he should calm down and continue on his drive through the valley. I climbed into my truck and continued on my way. He followed at some distance behind me, finally pulling off in downtown Boonville…… Anyway, I thought you should be aware of his presence in the Valley and heed my warning not to mess with any bushy bearded men driving at 20mph who remain oblivious to all those around them until they suddenly decide that they wish to kill them…It's a funny old Valley and we get all sorts up here……Have a 'wacky' week…Turkey Vulture.