Colonel Allen Allensworth State Historic Park captures a unique social experiment that took place in the San Joaquin Valley in the early 20th century.
The Park has restored an Black American community that was founded by Colonel Allensworth whose personal history  makes remarkable reading.
 He was born a slave in Louisville, Kentucky in 1842.  Despite laws that prohibited the education of slaves he learned to read and write and during the Civil War joined the U.S. Navy and left it as a Petty Officer.  After the war he completed his education and became a minister and then joined the U.S. Army as chaplain for the 24th Infantry,  the Black Buffalo Soldiers.  He retired as a Lt. Colonel the first Black American to achieve that rank.
So he founded Allensworth in 1906 by purchasing 800 acres along the railroad in San Joaquin Valley.  At first the town prospered but a steadily dropping water table resulted in a serious water shortage which then worsened when arsenic was discovered as well.  So people moved away.
The State Park was established in the last 1970s to restore and preserve the buildings of the town.
This demanded investigation by this Writer while en route to Northern California.  We took Highway 43 from I 5 and soon arrived at the Park.
There we met Jerelyn Oliveira, a State Park Ranger who is interpreter for the District.  She pointed out some of the restored buildings which include the school, church, hotel, library, restaurant, barber shop, retail stores and individual homes.
The Park also includes  a campground and picnic area.
For more information on the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park call 661 849-3433, on the web at www.parks.ca.gov.

Last year Pinnacles National Monument became a National Park, a name change that has already increased visitor interest.  This was our first visit with Pinnacles new name adding it to over 400 U.S. national parks.
But over the years we have enjoyed frequent visits to this interesting region of long ago volcanic activity and geographic turmoil thanks to its location where two tectonic plates collide, the North American plate and the Pacific Plate.
There are entrances at both east and west sides of Park but if you wish to camp or learn about activities at the Visitor Center you must use the East entrance from State Highway 25.
On this visit, which was short, we talked with Ranger Mike Brindeiro and enjoyed a picnic lunch at the day use area.
For more information on Pinnacles National Park call 831-389-4455, on the web at www.nps.gov/pinn.

     It was a delight to be back at Tasso's Old House Restaurant in Gilroy.  We had first experienced its outstanding Continental cuisine some years before and now we were back
     Tassos and Maria Perakis are long time restaurateurs and while the menu features Greek cuisine it also includes excellent Italian and American entrees.  Located in a vintage Gilroy home it offers the ambiance for a fine dining experience.  There is a full bar and an exceptionally good selection of wines, some from local Santa Clara wineries.
     This time our dinner opened with some wonderful fried calamari, tender and served with both red and white dipping sauces.  At our table entrees included pasta with salmon, lamb shank and my red snap;per grilled in olive oil Greek style.  We were all so satisfied with this repast we had to take our dessert home with us.
     Tasso's is located at 383 First Street in Gilroy with off street parking.  For more information call 408 847-7527, web tassos@tassosoldhourse.com.

When you live in the San Fernando Valley and the temperature reaches 100 degrees it is time to sound retreat and point the car to the beach, fortunately only about a 45  minute ride on I 101.
That is exactly what we did yesterday with our goal Phumb Line, The Sunset Restaurant overlooking the fishing boat marina in Ventura.  We had heard of this restaurant from friends and now it was the perfect day for a leisurely luncheon.  The temperature at dock side was a pleasant 77 degrees.
My dining partner and I were soon seated in a booth with a full view of the marina just steps away and studied the lunch menu which offers several seafood items as well as a large selection of sandwiches and salads.
Service was excellent as we both decided on the fish and chips. When the plates arrived we felt truly challenged with the huge amount of food on each plate.  Heaped were several huge slices of battered fish, quarter cut french fries, cold slaw and both cocktail and tartar sauce dips.
We both knew there was no way we were going to clean these plates at one sitting.   However we had lots of time and when we were finished the waitress prepared carry out packages for both of us.
Rhumb Line is located at 1510 Anchors Way Dr. in Ventura with free offstreet parking.  For more information call 805 642-1200, web www.rhumblineventura.com

Our visit to San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park revealed a little known chapter of California history.
At this site on December 6, 1846 U.S. Army units commanded by General Stephen Kearny were confronted by a force of Californians led by General Andrea Pico.
In this battle the Americans were defeated by the Mexicans.  With superior horses the Californians used their horsemanship and lances with deadly effect.  Later the survivors were relieved by American forces from San
Diego.
The Park has a fine museum which not only describes the battle but also exhibits the life of the native Americans who lived in the Valley for many centuries.  There is also a video presentation of the Mexican-American War and how it ended.
The Park is  a fine place for a picnic with overhead shaded tables, rest rooms and drinking water.
San Pasqual Park is only open on weekends.  It is located eight miles east of Escondido on Highway 78.
Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 760 737-2201 for information.

One of our summer pleasures is attending a Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz concert.  So we were in Temecula to listen to Jesse Cook perform with a most talented group of musicians.  As usual at these concerts, which occur almost every weekend from May to October at the Winery , Jesse and his guitar played to a sellout crowd.
We chatted with John Thornton asking on how he arranges to bring such outstanding talent to the concert series which is now in its 26th season.  He explained that the concerts, and the way they are presented, has given Thornton a national  reputation for being among the premiere venues for this type of jazz.
The dinner that accompanied Jesse Cook did Executive Chef Steve Pickel proud once again.  We opened with a sweet white corn bisque, then pan roasted wild Chilean sea bass and chocolate Mousse for dessert.
Our Thornton wines were a Brut Reserve Sparkling for starters, then a choice of an award winning 2013 Chardonnay or 2011 Estate Syrah.   With dessert Thornton Milk Chocolate Kiss.
This year the Jazz series will continue until October 19.  For more information call 951 699-3021.  Thornton Winery is located at 32575 Rancho California Road in Temecula.

When we stepped into  Phoenicia Restaurant we left Glendale for the shores of the Mediterranean to enjoy a cuisine that dates back to Biblical times.  Here we leisurely settled into the delightful patio of the restaurant to savor the classic foods of Lebanon.
We opened with a tray of cold mezza which included Hommos, those tasty stuffed grape leaves called Warak Enab as well as our favorite, Baba Ghanouj, roasted eggplant with tomatoes and onions. Then a salad of Tabbouleh,  a mixture of fresh chopped Italian parsley with tomatoes, onion and olive oil.
Our entrees included chicken and beef Kebab as well as marinated Lamb chops from the grill served with rice and seasoned pita bread.
The patio has been enlarged and with its old world look and decor is perfect for summer evenings.
Phoenicia is located at 343 North Central Avenue in Glendale.  On Friday and Saturday evenings there is live entertainment with a belly dance show to enjoy with dinner.  For more details call 818 956-7800. On the  web at phoenicialla.com.