We have been in Rio Vista two months now, but with unpacking, getting settled, and such, we haven't had time to look around at this wonderful place we moved to. We decided to celebrate our anniversary by exploring some of the Delta. We took off down Highway 160 towards Sacramento, First stop Isleton, home of the crawdad festival (the reason we're having Father's Day celebration on June 10 instead of June 18). From there on to Walnut Grove, and from there on to our destination, Locke. All of these little towns date back to the late 1800s/early 1900s so there's a lot of California history to be had just for the looking.
Locke is an interesting early California town, founded in 1915. After a fire broke out in the Chinese section of nearby Walnut Grove, the Chinese decided that it was time to establish a town of their own. A committee of Chinese merchants approached George Locke, a landowner, and an agreement was established and the town of Locke became a reality. The town buildings remain essentially the same today. The picture on the left shows the main street of the town. The one the right is of an old building that looks like it's ready to collapse. We were told it's been that way for years.
Martha, a local artist and gallery owner, was outside painting a picture of Al the Wop's restaurant Al the Wop's restaurant is another Locke landmark. Al founded his Italian restaurant in 1934 (the only white guy in an all Chinese community), and despite the fact that Al passed in 1961, the restaurant thrives today. Since we were in a Chinese community, we decided a Chinese lunch was in order and went to the Locke Garden Chinese Restaurant. We had a delicious meal. For some interesting facts and pictues of the little town of Locke (population 200 apx) go to www.locketown.com. The town is definitely worth a visit.
After lunch we decided we would like to explore Ryer Island, so we came back to Rio Vista, traveled down River Road and took the ferry across the Sacramento River to the Island. We drove around the Island, which took about an hour and a half. Mostly the island is covered with vegetation - either crops or natural. It was a peaceful drive, reminescent of driving through the bayous of the south, or what Mark Twain might have had in mind when he wrote about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Fin on the river. One could almost see the barges that must have made their way in the 1800s through the sloughs bringing products to this very rural area.
We completed our anniversary adventure with a dinner at The Point Restaurant. The food was exceptional and we enjoyed looking out at the river. If you'd like to check out The Point, go to this web site http://www.pointrestaurant.com/. It's a jewel on the river. We had a very special day and a very special year....an excellent adventure
Love to all,
Corrie and Jim
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