In May the DAFers headed up to Santa Rosa for a fly-in combining wine tasting with power tools; BIG power tools! We stayed at the Astro, a renovated classic 1960s motel that's been "updated" with great mid-century modern furniture and decorations. Happy hours were held in their common room, and it was great to be catching up together as a group. With 27 people in the group, it was a big turnout.
Saturday, most of the group visited Sturgeon's Mill, a working museum lumber mill built back in 1913 and still using a steam engine to power the original saws and equipment. This was one of their demonstration days, so everything was operating and they were cutting up large redwood logs. It was great to see the volunteers running the place, although it's clear OSHA wasn't around when this equipment was made; as an old woodworker myself I found my fingers twitching as I watched! Some of the group headed over for a drive up the coast instead; a beautiful place to visit.
Afterward, the group split up to hit wineries all over the area, then met up for dinner at the Spinster Sisters restaurant. A few hardy souls even came down for a little wine session after dinner back at the Astro.
The weather for the weekend cooperated, and though there was some light marine layer and a little rain it wasn't enough to dampen any spirits or ground anyone. Another fine trip!