Tex Wasabi Cowboy
What an awesome day. We started the day off fairly early and before even leaving the parking lot I was able to add a new bird to my bird list. It was an Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna). I tried getting a photo, but was unable as he didn’t stay around long enough for me to put all the luggage down that I was carrying and grab my camera. Then, while we were getting gas 20 minutes later, we spotted some Yellow-billed Magpies (Pica nuttalli). I was able to get a couple pictures that gave me enough information for bird identification, but were not “post-worthy”.
We had breakfast at Putah Creek Café in Winters, finding a parking spot right outside the restaurant. Not only was the food awesome, but the restaurant had some of the best customer service I have seen. One of the waitresses even went outside and helped a customer with a walker, cross the street from the parking lot to the café. The food was also awesome and was worth the detour. After breakfast we spent a few minutes walking around Winters while we let our food settle and then headed off to Petaluma.
After we left Winters, my GPS was being a bit of a pain and routed me back down to I-80 so I was unable to take the leisurely route I had planned through the bottom of Wine Country, and had to cut up from Fairfield on CA SR-12. We were still able to enjoy some of the back roads though as we headed to Petaluma. When we arrived in Petaluma, we fluked out again and found a parking spot less than a block from the Seed Bank. Both my mum and I had a list of seeds that we wanted, and although I was unable to find my most sought after seed (Trinidad Scorpion Butch T Pepper) and wasn’t even able to find Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) and had to settle for some milder peppers such as habaneros and Thai chilies. My mum, however, found her number one pick – lima beans (yuck) – and also found a few gifts for my dad. After leaving the Seed Bank, my mum discovered an oriental gift shop across the street. For those of you that know me, you KNOW that I can’t resist…and I of course gave in to temptation. Although I did buy a couple things for me, I was able to find small gifts to give to several people.
After Petaluma we headed to Santa Rosa and had lunch at Willie Bird’s. We had originally planned on going there for dinner, but we both decided that it was not only more convenient for lunch, but that we both had a hankering for a turkey sandwich. One thing that I had forgotten, since we visited last year, was just how good the potato salad was. (On an aside, we sat in the same booth that we sat in on both visits to Willies last year). I was also able to get a picture of obelisk across the street that is made out of used bicycle parts and a picture of the stained glass turkey in Willie Bird’s window. By the time we were done eating, it was perfect timing to head to the hotel.
We relaxed at the hotel for a while and did out Google and Wiki research of the day before heading out to dinner. Since we had gone to Willie’s for lunch, I suggested Tex Wasabi’s for a light dinner. After driving around the block a couple times, we finally found a parking spot a couple doors down from Tex’s. Luckily we didn’t have to wait for a table and were seated in the same table as we were last year – I guess it was meant to be :). My mum and I shared an order of Vegas Fries (fries tossed in hot sauce and served with bleu-sabi) and an order of West Coast wings (which are coated in a jalapeño sauce). It was just the awesomest, and made me wish that I didn’t have to travel 1,100 kilometres to get Guy’s food.
After dinner we headed to pick up a couple of groceries and items that we needed and then returned to the hotel for the night. Now, full and dozy, I leave you all so I can get some shut-eye before we tour Wine Country tomorrow.
Talk to you all soon.
L
P.S. the above photo is a statue of the Tex Wasabi’s mascot that is next to the bar
Nice about the waitress helping out the woman with the walker. I love to hear about stuff like that. I’m looking forward to seeing a photo of that obelisk.