FROM PINE TO WINE
As an events columnist for a small-town newspaper, the Payson Roundup, in Arizona's beautiful Rim Country, I had the privilege
of reporting on the great local people and events in a weekly column, the Pine Strawberry (P/S) Happenings.
Our small villages with a combined population of about 2000 year-round residents tripled during the summer as part-time
residents occupied summer homes. Thousands more visited the quaint mountain community on weekends for fabulous arts and crafts
festivals and events like Arizona Trails Day, May Day and Mountain Daze festival, Fire on the Rim Mountain Bike Race, foot
race and so much more.
Set amidst the largest Ponderosa Pine Forest in the world at an elevation of 6000 to 7000 feet, State Route 87 wound itself
through the area, affording travelers spectacular and breathtaking views.
2013 brought as many twists and turns in my husband, Richard, and my life as there were in the backwoods trails and highways
of the Rim Country. At the end of September, an opportunity presented itself for my husband and I to move to California's
wine country to
live near family. My sister, Audrey, and her husband Russ, were happy at the prospect of us moving closer to them, and the
idea quickly grew into a reality.
As we pack we think of all the wonderful times we have had here, the extraordinary people, beauty and solitude, and the
deer and elk that have been our most frequent visitors. I think of the readers of my column who have been so gracious and
supportive, and in many cases, become my dearest of friends. I wish that I could take all the goodness that is in the hearts
of the people of P/S with me, because they truly make the world a better place.
Leaving the best job and readers in the world is the hardest part of relocating, which led to the creation of this blog;
a means to bring everyone along as I do Lodi. Come join me in discovering what awaits in the San Joaquin Valley.
As a writer I love to spin words. In thinking of a blog name I thought of everything from Pine Trees to Wineries and Pine
to Wine. Because I don't know if I'm coming or going these days, the title I Do Lodi fits it perfectly - it is the same backward
or forward.
