IF MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION WAS TO LOOSE 5 POUNDS

 AFTER TODAY'S TRIP, IT'S PROBABLY CLOSER TO 10.

WE VENTURED UP NORTH TO HAVE DINNER IN OCCIDENTAL, BUT NOT BEFORE A LITTLE NOSTALGIA,  GOING THROUGH RUSSIAN RIVER AND SEEING THE 

MC ALPINE'S FAVORITE DRINKING HOLE, THE PINK ELEPHANT.  DARYL SAYS IN THE 50'S, THE ADULTS WOULD HANG OUT HERE WHILE THE KIDS WERE AT THE RIVER.  WISH IT WERE STILL OPEN, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FUN TO HAVE STOPPED IN FOR A COCKTAIL. 

THE UNION HOTEL
WE'VE BEEN HERE A FEW TIMES OVER THE LAST 50+ YEARS,
AND IT NEVER DISAPPOINTS! 

WE DECIDED SINCE IT WAS A NOSTALGIC TRIP, WE WOULD HAVE THE FAMILY STYLE DINNER, THE KIND WE HAD SO MANY YEARS AGO.

IT STARTS WITH SOUP AND ANTIPASTO,
AND OF COURSE, LOTS OF FRENCH BREAD. 

NEXT THE SALAD,

AND THEN THE RAVIOLIS.
THEY WERE SO DELICIOUS,
I ALMOST FORGOT TO TAKE THE PICTURE.

AND AFTER ALL THAT,
THE MAIN COURSE!
YOU HAVE YOUR CHOICE OF STEAK OR HALF OF A ROASTED CHICKEN,WE CHOSE THE CHICKEN.  IT CAME WITH ROASTED VEGGIES AND NEW POTATOES.
THERE'S DESSERT, IF YOU WANT IT,
BUT WE COULDN'T EAT ANOTHER THING.
A CUP OF COFFEE, AND WE WERE HAPPY.

NOW, DID I MAKE YOU HUNGRY?
YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO GO TO OCCIDENTAL
AND EAT AT THE UNION HOTEL.
GO FOR IT,
YOU CAN LOOSE THOSE 5 POUNDS LATER!