There are numerous routes to take to get to the Bay area from Carson City, Nevada. In the summer, you have more choices than in the winter when the roads can be snowy, passes closed, winds can be blustery and you may be required to put chains on your tires depending upon the winter conditions. You can drive north up to Reno and take the 80 across to Sacramento and then take the 99 or 5 down south, depending upon where you are going. Or you can take the 50 west past Placerville, which is scenic and takes you below Sacramento, which makes more sense to me. Or you can take the 88 or the 120 into Jackson, hook up with the 5 in Stockton and go to the 205 to the 580 to the 680 and connect with the 101 or the 1. I like the latter route the best because it seems like there’s less traffic, it’s scenic and seems to take less time. Besides, often traffic is usually going in the opposite direction, if you time it right.
I wasn’t going to tell you about the experience we had at one of the chocolate venues we visited but I’ve changed my mind. A guide is not always about positive experiences, it’s about telling people their opinion and letting others decide for themselves. it can serve as a warning.
We drove on the 88 into Jackson, stayed overnight at a small pet friendly motel near a church for about $60. The motel is called the Linda Vista. It was quiet, homey and adequate for our needs. There are probably fancier, higher priced places that take pups but we found this one and it was suitable. From Jackson, we decided to explore the tiny towns of Clements and Lockeford nearby because there was a chocolate factory, fruit farms, bakery and even a ravioli place.
It was really hot weather in July so by the time we drove the 20 minutes from Jackson to get to the town of Clements, it was 10 a.m. There is a nice coffee shop across the street and I had a wonderful omelette breakfast. on another occasion. But that morning, it was already in the 80’s at 10 a.m. Sweltering. Now this chocolate factory has a gate circling the property and it was not clear how to get inside. There is also a gift shop. I parked the car and thought because of the fencing around the garden, I could walk my dog there and she would be safe. I could tether her up in the shade while I ran inside quickly.
But I found out that there was no way to get from the parking lot area inside the factory. You HAVE to go through the gift shop. I found that off putting. Once inside the gift shop, a lady came to meet me, who showed me where to go. She was too busy to give me a real tour. So the “tour” was self-guided. You look inside the glass and watch the people working. There is a very short video, too. Big deal. And then you are supposed to go back into the gift shop and buy up some chocolate. Tiny free samples. This was NOT Silly Rabbit or Dagoba.
I should mention that when we went to Dagoba, all of their big whigs were back east at a meeting. Yet, someone came out, gave me a bunch of samples and talked to me for a few minutes. She showed me around their gift shop. And Dagoba has YUMMY organic chocolates. It is located in Ashland, Oregon. Who could not love a company with a Tao of Cacao newsletter?
http://www.dagobachocolate.com/
The name of the place in Clements is Chocoholics. You’ve probably bought or seen their body frosting for Valentine’s Day or some romantic occasion. I have gone through the town on several other occasions and passed on visiting again due to the unfriendly feel of the gate and the unwelcome attitude found inside. For a place that manufactures a staple for romance, the place should exude LOVE and romance or at least FRIENDLY vibes.
The website looks a lot better than the factory “tour.” Maybe I am just cranky but I think that tours should be fun, informative, friendly and give out free samples. It seems that their tours are another way to make money. The website indicates that people can take a tour with dessert, boxed lunch and dessert, etc. for a price and a minimum number of people. This tour gets one cacoa bean overall as opposed to ten cacao beans for Silly Rabbit and Dagoba. Get over yourselves, Chocoholics… gourmet my left foot.
http://www.gourmetchocolate.com/tours.aspx
In nearby Lodi, you can visit wineries and sample your heart away. After visiting Clements, you might just be so inclined.
Also, Jelly Belly’s has free tours in Fairfield, and stores in Vacaville, Gilroy and Sacramento. Online, they even have a virtual tour you can take. Now that’s called CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH A SMILE. They do have some unique chocolate jelly bean offerings such as chocolate coconut, chocolate caramel, chocolate vanilla and chocolate fudge brownie. Fun for the whole family …
Now, you must take the chocoholic test…
http://www.creativechocolates.com/chocoholic.html
and here are some free postcards for valentine’s day …
http://www.virtualchocolate.com/valentines/
chocolate tis better raw and naked and organic…
http://www.davidwolfe.com/Default.aspx?tabid=592
and for all of you chocolate dogs out there…
http://martineschocolates.com
please remember not to feed your doggies any chocolate, it’s toxic for them…
http://www.apogeecomgrp.com/drkevin/chocolate.html
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